Solid Waste and Recycling -
Service Interruptions (Vacancy Policy)

Each month, Stockton residents receive a bill listing water, sewer and garbage charges combined on one bill. This bill is referred to as a "unified bill". As soon as water service is started, garbage and recycling services are also started because these services are mandatory per Municipal Code Section 8.04.020.

While garbage and recycling services are mandatory within the City limits, there are instances where these services are not necessary for a period of time. The City and its waste haulers, Allied Waste and Waste Management, recognize this fact and have agreed to establish a policy addressing certain circumstances where garbage and recycling services are not necessary. This policy is a courtesy service provided by the garbage companies which can be reviewed periodically by the City, the garbage companies or both for continued necessity.

VACANCY CREDITS

A vacancy credit may be granted when a house is vacant or unoccupied for a period of at least one month. Customers may request up to three (3) vacancy credits per calendar year but for no less than one (1) month at a time.

To receive a vacancy credit, the account holder must submit a request for credit to their respective garbage company according to the instructions listed below. (If you are unsure which company provides service in your area, click here.)  

1. Customers must call their garbage company prior to the vacancy to register the property as vacant for the following month.
2. At the end of each month where a vacancy is requested, the customer must call back and confirm the vacancy to receive the service credit.

Restrictions

• No service credit will be provided without a call back at the end of each month.
• The garbage company will not issue retroactive credit(s).
• To prevent abuse, the garbage companies have the right to refuse credit if any waste (garbage, green and food waste or recycling in carts or bags or Annual Clean Sweep items) is placed on the curb. 
• No cart size changes will be allowed during the vacancy period.

Any exception to this policy is at the sole discretion of the garbage companies.

VACANT FORECLOSURE PROPERTIES IN THE BANK’S POSSESSION

Homes which are vacant and in a bank's possession are able to receive a credit to their monthly utility bill for the unused garbage collection services. However, certain steps must be followed in order to receive credit of the monthly garbage service charges.

1. The utility account must be established in the name of the foreclosing bank (or official designated representative) by providing a written assignment from the foreclosing bank or mortgage company to the utility.
2. The foreclosing bank (or official designated representative) must contact the garbage company two (2) business days after establishing the utility account to certify that the property is a vacant foreclosure. If the foreclosing bank (or official designated representative) wishes to register more than one vacant foreclosed property, a list of the addresses may be submitted by fax, letter or e-mail.
3. Once the property has been registered as foreclosed with the garbage company, it will be necessary for the foreclosing bank (or official designated representative) to contact the garbage company at the end of every month to request credit for the prior month’s service charges and to confirm that the property will continue to be vacant.  If there are multiple addresses, this request must be done in a list format, by fax, letter or email.

Once the property has been sold, the foreclosing bank (or official designated representative) will notify the water provider to stop all utility services.

Restrictions

• Credits will not be issued for foreclosed duplex or triplex properties which are master-metered unless all units are vacant.

• To prevent abuse, the garbage companies have the right to refuse credit if any waste (garbage, green and food waste or recycling in carts or bags or Annual Clean Sweep items) is placed on the curb. 
• No cart size changes will be allowed during the foreclosure period.

Any exception to this policy is at the sole discretion of the garbage companies.

Residential Customers:

Phone: (209) 466-3604

Fax:     (209) 465-0631

Commercial Customers:

Phone: (209) 466-5192

Fax:     (209) 465-0631

customerservice.stockton@republicservices.com

RECEIVING CREDITS ON A UNIFIED UTILITY BILL

Solid waste and recycling service will continue to be billed on the unified utility bill during the vacancy period. Credits will be applied to the account when the water service provider receives the adjustment request from the garbage company. Depending on the water company's billing cycle, there may be a delay in seeing a credit applied to an account. Because processing times may vary, please pay your bill in full to avoid late fees and penalties. There will be no credit for late fees or penalties.