SERVICE
Refuse Lien Hearing
Respond to a final refuse lien notification and hearing notice. A refuse lien has been recorded against your property due to a late payment or unpaid Recology garbage bill.
Environmental HealthWhat to know
Attention: If you made a payment or intend to make a payment for the lien invoice, you DO NOT need to request or attend the Director's Hearing.
Health Code Article 6
Learn more about refuse liens from Health Code Article 6.
What to know
Attention: If you made a payment or intend to make a payment for the lien invoice, you DO NOT need to request or attend the Director's Hearing.
Health Code Article 6
Learn more about refuse liens from Health Code Article 6.
What to do
Pay the lien
Payment must be received by 4:30 pm PST on Thursday, July 16, 2026. *Late payments will not be processed and will be returned.
Any liens not paid by the due date will transfer into the 2026-2027 property tax bill as a special assessment and will be payable with the Treasurer Tax Collector property tax bill.
Pay Online
Click the link below to make an online payment.
Pay by Mail
Mail in a payment.
Types of payment accepted: personal check, cashier's check, or money order
Make check payable to: SF Department of Public Health
Write the invoice #(s) and service address on the payment.
Mail to:
Solid Waste Program
Attn: Refuse Lien Program
49 South Van Ness Ave., Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103
Dispute the lien
You DO NOT need to submit a hearing request or attend the hearing if you paid or intend to pay the lien.
Option 1:
Request to Schedule an in-person Director's Hearing.
The property owner may submit a request to be scheduled for a SFDPH Director's Hearing to dispute a refuse lien. Request must be submitted no later than June 15, 2026. Hearings will be held in-person on July 8 and 10, 2026.
To request a hearing, click here: Hearing request form
OR
Click below for the QR Code:
If you need assistance or need to request a form, you may contact SFDPH Refuse Lien Unit by phone (415) 252-3872 or by e-mail: refuseliens.dph@sfdph.org.
Option 2:
The property owner may attend the SFDPH Director's Hearing at 9:30 am on June 23, 2026.
Location: Department of Public Health, 49 South Van Ness Ave., Room 192, San Francisco, CA 94103.
Please be advised that your dispute may be continued to a later hearing date. To avoid multiple in-person hearings, please request to be scheduled using Option 1 above.
Special cases
Questions regarding your Recology garbage bill:
For questions regarding the service period on the lien notice, email:
Call Recology at 415-330-1300 for the following general questions:
-Billing
-Payment history
-Account information