San Diego Reaches Settlement to End Balboa Park Paid Parking and Cut Trash Fees

Overview

• City leaders and opponents agreed on a global settlement on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, that will end paid parking in Balboa Park by January 2027 and reduce single‑family trash fees starting July 2027.
• Under the deal the standard annual trash charge will fall to $38.75 for larger bins and $32.30 for smaller receptacles, and the homeowners suing over Measure B have agreed to drop their lawsuit and abandon a planned ballot repeal.
• The Superior Court trial over the trash fees was recessed on the same day and is expected to be dismissed under the settlement terms.
• City officials estimate ending park parking will cut roughly $2.2 million from next year’s revenues and cutting trash fees will deepen multi-year budget shortfalls, forcing the mayor to identify new savings or service reductions in the FY2027 plan.
• Paid parking had coincided with steep drops in museum visitation—averaging about 34% and up to 60% at some institutions—which city leaders and cultural advocates cited as a key reason to reverse the policy and protect Balboa Park institutions.