Los Angeles Dump Fees & Disposal Guide for Junk Removal Operators

LACSD facilities (Calabasas Landfill, Scholl Canyon Landfill, Puente Hills MRF, South Gate Transfer Station) offer the lowest posted rates at approximately $99/ton — $21/ton cheaper than Sunshine Canyon at $120/ton. However, LACSD facilities have wasteshed restrictions that limit which areas they serve. Verify your service area eligibility before routing loads. For a 3-ton residential cleanout, the difference between $99/ton and $120/ton is $63 per trip. If you are outside LACSD wastesheds, Sunshine Canyon at $120/ton is the primary alternative.

The Chiquita Canyon Landfill closure on January 1, 2025 eliminated roughly one-third of LA County's disposal capacity overnight — it previously handled 34% of in-county disposal at approximately 2.1 million tons per year. The remaining facilities are absorbing that redirected waste, creating a supply squeeze that has been driving rates up across the board. Additionally, LA County tipping fees include embedded taxes and surcharges: LA County Business Tax (10%), City of LA Franchise Fee (12%), state AB 939 fee, county management fees, and environmental fees — adding 20–30% on top of the base disposal rate.

Yes. Sunshine Canyon accepts C&D at the same per-ton rate structure as MSW. For permitted construction projects, California requires at least 65% C&D diversion from landfill — keep documentation of all diverted materials. Contaminated soil requires pre-approval and costs $200/load. Clean asphalt is $150/load. For large C&D projects, consider routing sorted clean materials (concrete, wood, metals) to dedicated recycling facilities for lower per-unit costs, and send only the mixed remainder to Sunshine Canyon.

Sunshine Canyon accepts cash and credit card customers at scales by 5PM on weekdays and by 11AM on Saturdays. The facility is closed Sundays. LACSD facilities (Calabasas, Scholl Canyon, Puente Hills, South Gate) have varying hours — call each facility directly for current schedules. Plan your last dump run to arrive at least 30 minutes before posted scale cutoff times, especially on Saturdays. Post-Chiquita closure, Monday through Wednesday mornings have the longest wait times — queues can exceed 1–2 hours.

SA Recycling is the largest scrap operation in Southern California with multiple locations across LA County — call (800) GOT-SCRAP for current pricing and your nearest yard. Independent scrap yards in the Commerce, Vernon, and Sun Valley industrial corridors also offer competitive rates. California law requires photo ID for all scrap sales and payment by check (mailed to your address) for copper, catalytic converters, and certain high-theft materials per Penal Code §21608.5. At $120/ton disposal costs, diverting metals to scrap yards turns a disposal expense into revenue on every job.

Hazardous waste including paint, solvents, automotive fluids, batteries, and chemicals must go to one of the City of LA S.A.F.E. Centers — free for LA County residents with a limit of 15 gallons or 125 lbs per trip. Locations include Balboa (Northridge), Gaffey Street (San Pedro), Playa Del Rey, Randall Street (Sun Valley), and Washington Blvd (East LA), open Saturday and Sunday 9AM–3PM. Small businesses can dispose of HHW through the VSQG (Very Small Quantity Generator) Program by appointment at (310) 387-1071 — EPA ID required. Never mix hazardous materials into landfill loads — the penalty at LACSD facilities is at least $500.