If you haven’t paid the 2022 Commercial Trash Fee, sometimes called the Refuse Collection Fee, you have until June 30 to do so. You must pay this fee if you use the City’s trash and recycling service for your small business, multi-unit, or mixed-use property.
This year’s bills were mailed out in November of last year. You may have received one, and it’s due by June 30. If you made a first $250 installment payment in December 2021, you must complete your second payment of $250 by June 30.
Ways to pay
The best way to pay the City’s $500 annual Commercial Trash Fee (Refuse Collection Fee) is online at phila.gov/pay (scroll down to the “Services” section). If you would rather pay in person, please remember that we don’t accept Visa cards for this type of transaction. But you can use your card to pay online.
You can also pay by mail:
Philadelphia Dept. of Revenue
P.O. Box 966
Philadelphia, PA 19102-966
If you use a private trash collection service, you don’t pay the $500 fee, but you must fill out and return the Commercial Trash Fee (or Refuse Collection) Exemption form. We recommend that you include a copy of your current trash service agreement from a licensed hauler.
Exempted properties
Residents who live in duplexes they own are exempted from paying this fee. If this is your case and you received a 50% reduction last year, you will automatically get a 100% exemption this year.
If you didn’t take advantage of the exemption in 2021 but qualify, please fill out and return this Commercial Trash Fee (or Refuse Collection) Exemption form. We will only apply the 100% discount if you have a single rental unit and can provide a current rental license from the Department of Licenses & Inspections.
The following properties can also get a full exemption:
- House of worship – used for religious purposes only.
- Vacant property – the owner must provide a current Vacant Property license from the Department of Licenses & Inspections.
Please complete and return the exemption form with supporting documents if your property falls into these categories. Houses of worship or vacant properties must complete and submit this form every year to continue to receive this service.
Remember, single-unit homes and properties that use a private trash service don’t pay this fee. Some commercial and multi-use properties can take advantage of the City’s weekly trash collection for this affordable, yearly amount. Nevertheless, most multi-unit and large commercial properties in Philadelphia must hire private trash hauling services.
If you have questions, please call us at (215) 686-6600 or email solidresources@phila.gov.
