Office of Solid Waste

Why is the assessment amount increasing?

As stated above, part of this increase is a contractual obligation that is based on the City’s solid waste franchise agreement with FCC Environmental Services, LLC. This is standard for solid waste contracts throughout the country, and covers the increased costs for labor, equipment, vehicle maintenance, fuel and disposal costs. The other part of the increase is because St. Lucie County raised disposal fees at the landfill.

Why did I receive an assessment notice in the mail?

These notices are required by state law.

What is a non-ad valorem assessment?

Non-ad valorem assessments are fees for specific services, such as stormwater and solid waste. The amount you pay is not based on your property's value. However, it is billed separately on your property tax bill. 

Do I need to respond to this notice or appear at the Public Hearing?

 No. This notice is required to provide information.

Are these new assessments?

No. This is an existing annual assessment for solid waste collection, disposal and recycling services.                                       

If this notice is “Not a Bill” – when is the assessment billed?

Assessments will be billed via your property tax bill.

Why is there a “not to exceed” dollar amount on my notice for $513.70?

You will not receive another paper notice in the mail until the proposed assessment exceeds $513.70. Any future increases due to contract terms must be approved by the City Council at a public hearing.

Weekly Collection: Garbage, yard and recycling

• Customers are provided with a City-issued black garbage cart with wheels and a green recycling cart with wheels.
• All household trash and garbage must be bagged and fit inside your black garbage cart with the lid closed.
• Yard waste is collected weekly and there is a limit of 4 cubic yards. Four cubic yards is equivalent to four standard front load washers.
• Recyclables must be loose, not bagged, inside the green recycling cart with the lid closed. Recyclables must be empty, clean and dry.
• Place black garbage carts and green recycling carts at the curb no later than 7 a.m. on your pickup day, but no earlier than 6 p.m. the evening prior to collection. Carts must be removed the night of service.
• Place carts at least three feet apart and three feet away from obstructions like mailboxes, utility poles and fire hydrants.

Monthly Collection: Bulk Waste

• Bulk waste is collected monthly and there is a limit of 2 cubic yards. Two cubic yards is equivalent to two standard front load washers. 

Tips for preventing bugs and odor

• Bag all your garbage: Keep waste wrapped tightly in bags, leaving no holes, before placing it in your black cart for collection. Heavy-duty trash bags act as a barrier between invading pests and garbage. During the summer, consider double bagging garbage.
• Secure garbage cart lid and use a cart liner: Make sure your lid is properly functioning and completely closed. Install a cart liner for added protection.
• Periodically rinse out the cart: Cleaning out your garbage cart with a hose is an effective way to discourage any infestations or visits from uninvited guests.
• Spray vinegar: Spray the inner and outer parts of the lid with a vinegar-water mixture. Vinegar is an effective method for warding off pests with its pungent smell. Make a mixture of one part vinegar and one part water to spray inside your trash carts. Other effective solutions include Terro Garbage Guard, apple cider vinegar or essential oils such as cinnamon, clove, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass and rosemary.
• Use all-purpose cleaners: The household cleaner you use also is an effective insecticide. Mix one part of the cleaning solution with four parts of boiling water. Spray the all-purpose cleaner onto the opened, filled garbage bags before tightly securing them and placing them inside your garbage cart.

Here are some options if you need waste service now:

#1. Additional Pickup

Request an additional pickup by calling 1PSL at 772-871-1775 and press 5 (there is an additional fee).

#2. Convenient Drop-off Center

Port St. Lucie residents can dispose bulk waste at the City's Convenient Drop-off Center located at 1501 SW Cameo Blvd. on the corner of Cameo Boulevard and Crosstown Parkway, just west of Florida’s Turnpike overpass.

See Drop-off Center Rules & Regulations

#3. County Solid Waste, Baling & Recycling Facility

Port St. Lucie residents can dispose yard waste, regular garbage waste, and recycling for a small fee at the St. Lucie County Solid Waste, Baling & Recycling Facility. Hazardous Waste is not accepted.

Please have your ID or driver's license ready for proof of residence.

• Address: 6120 Glades Cut-Off Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981
• Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Phone: 772-462-1768
• Website

How much does residential solid waste service cost?
Residential customers pay their solid waste bill once a year as a non-ad valorem assessment, which is separate from their property taxes, on their tax bills. The residential rate for FY 2024/25 is $446.44 per year and goes into effect on Oct. 1, 2024. The annual rate of $446.44 breaks down to $37.20 per month which is $2.64 per curbside pickup.

Why is my assessment increasing from last year?
The solid waste fee will increase by $13.77. This increase is a contractual obligation that is based on the City's solid waste franchise agreement with FCC Environmental Services, LLC. This is standard for waste contracts throughout the country and covers the increased cost for labor, equipment, vehicle maintenance, fuel and disposal costs.

Download Solid Waste FAQ Sheet(PDF, 816KB)

• Sec. 80 - Office of Solid Waste
• Sec. 80.06 – Residential collection at curbside
• Sec. 80.10 – Constructions sites; contractor waste: Builders, contractors, construction tradesmen, tree surgeons, landscapers, handyman services and all other services that perform work on a residential property shall be responsible for removal, and the legal, and lawful disposal of all debris they generate as a result of said work and shall use vehicles and containers designed or outfitted to prevent the waste carried therein from being blown, dropped, or spilled from the vehicle or container.
• Sec. 80.17 – Enforcement; solid waste citation authorized; civil penalty: Dumping litter and/or refuse in any manner or amount whatsoever in or on any public highway, road, street, alley, thoroughfare or any other public lands, except in containers or areas lawfully provided, therefore. The provisions of section 403.413, Florida Statutes, shall apply to all public rights-of-way within the city. When any litter is thrown or discarded from a motor vehicle or vessel, the operator or owner of the motor vehicle or vessel, or both, shall be deemed in violation.
• Illegal Dumping "Florida Litter Law" – Florida Statue 403.413: Illegal dumping is a crime in Port St. Lucie, and anyone caught doing it is subject to a fine, vehicle seizure and even possible arrest and incarceration.

The City of Port St. Lucie is authorized by the State of Florida to enforce local, county, and state statutes adopted by the City or assigned to them. Our goals are to keep our City safe, clean, and beautiful through bringing properties into compliance with city code.

Property owners and/or tenants cited will be given the prescribed amount of time to bring their property into compliance before debris is removed by the City. Citations that are not paid within 30 calendar days of invoice will be referred to the Special Magistrate for Certification of Fines Hearing.