Port St. Lucie’s 2026–27 tax rate, trash fee and Waste Pro credit: what changes on your bill

Port St. Lucie started a new budget year on October 1, 2026. Three things will change on the property tax bill most homeowners get in November: the city tax rate, the yearly trash fee, and a one-time credit from a legal settlement. Here is what each one means and what to do.

The city tax rate went down for the 11th year

On September 28, the City Council voted to adopt a $971.6 million budget. It also lowered the city property tax rate from 4.9750 mills to 4.8750 mills. A mill is $1 of tax for each $1,000 of taxable value. It is the 11th year in a row the city has cut its rate.

A cut of 0.1 mill means $10 less in city tax for every $100,000 of taxable value, if your value stayed the same. If your home’s taxable value went up, your city tax could still go up. The city says its rate is 25% lower than in 2016, and the third-lowest city rate among Florida’s 20 largest cities.

The trash fee went up $14.83

Trash pickup in Port St. Lucie is paid through a yearly fee on your property tax bill. On August 24, the council set the fee at $482.16 per home for the year that began October 1. That is $14.83 more than last year, or about $1.24 a month. The city says the increase is required by its contract with its hauler, FCC Environmental Services, because of higher costs for labor, equipment, vehicle repairs and fuel.

Many owners will get a Waste Pro credit

The city won a $24 million settlement from Waste Pro, its former hauler. It is giving that money back as credits on 2026 tax bills, not as checks. About 95,000 properties should get a credit. Homeowners who have owned the same home since the 2022 tax roll get about $364. About 38,000 other eligible properties could get about $64. For many longtime owners, the credit is bigger than this year’s trash fee increase.

A trash question is on the November 3 ballot

Port St. Lucie voters will see a straw poll asking if they want trash pickup twice a week instead of once. The result is nonbinding, so the City Council still decides. City staff say twice-weekly pickup would raise the trash fee by at least $131 a year starting in 2028. Bulk, recycling and yard waste pickup would not change.

What to do this month

1. Check if you qualify for the Waste Pro credit at cityofpsl.com/credit.
2. Watch your mail for your tax bill. Florida law gives you a 4% discount if you pay in November, 3% in December, 2% in January and 1% in February.
3. Find the trash fee and stormwater fee in the assessments section of your bill, below the tax rates.
4. Questions about your bill: call the St. Lucie County Tax Collector at (772) 462-1650.
5. Questions about city fees: email financeassessment@cityofpsl.com or call the city at (772) 871-1775.