Kern County Landfill Fees: Bena Landfill and What Residents Pay (July 2026)

What residents get free

The county's gate fee FAQ says residents aren't charged a gate fee for ordinary household trash. That covers what goes in your curbside cart plus self-hauled appliances, clothing, TVs, e-waste, green waste and furniture. Household hazardous waste and old house paint are also free, through the special waste facility.

What residents pay for (effective July 1, 2026)

From the Kern County gate fee page:

• Construction and demolition (asphalt, brick, drywall, fencing, pallets, roofing, wood and so on): $95.66 per ton
• Clean dirt: $5.98 per ton. Clean inerts (concrete, asphalt, brick): $17.94 per ton.
• Light-duty tires (18-inch rim or smaller): $3.59 each. Heavy-duty: $17.94. Oversize: $23.91.
• Travel trailers: $597.85 each
• Railroad ties: $17.94 each
• Untarped or unsecured loads: 2x the gate fee or a $20 minimum

Use the dump fee calculator for C&D weights.

Commercial rates

Non-residential waste pays $14.35 per car, $32.28 per pickup, $40.65 for a pickup loaded above the cab, or $69.35 per ton for trailers and large vehicles. Transfer stations add $11.96 per ton. A landscaper hauling your green waste is charged commercial rates.

Bena Landfill

Per the county's Bena Landfill page, Bena Landfill is at 2951 Neumarkel Road, Bakersfield 93307. It's open Sunday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed New Year's Day, Easter Sunday, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Stop at the gatehouse for a load check, take recyclables to the diversion area, and pay with cash, check, Visa or Mastercard. See what to expect on your first dump run.

Checked October 2026. Hours, fees, residency rules and accepted items change, sometimes with little notice. Call the site or check its official page before you load up.

Kern County Landfill Fees FAQ

Is the Kern County dump free?

For residents, yes for ordinary household trash, appliances, furniture, green waste and e-waste. C&D, tires, dirt and some other items have fees.

How much does it cost to dump construction debris in Kern County?

$95.66 per ton as of July 1, 2026.

What are Bena Landfill hours?

Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed major holidays.

How much to dump tires in Bakersfield?

$3.59 per light-duty tire at county facilities.

What happens if I don't tarp?

Untarped or unsecured loads are charged twice the gate fee, or a $20 minimum.

The bottom line

Household junk is free for residents, but tarp it and keep remodel debris separate. See covered-load rules.

Gear for your dump run

Affiliate disclosure: The links in this section are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Dumpmapper earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We don't list prices or ratings here because they change. Check them on Amazon.

• AmazonCommercial heavy-duty 16-mil poly tarp: Covers the load so nothing blows out on the highway, and helps you avoid the uncovered-load fee many sites charge.
• Rhino USA 1-inch ratchet tie-down straps (4-pack): Holds the tarp and bulky items like furniture in place in a pickup bed or trailer.
• Wells Lamont 3300 leather-palm work gloves: Most drop-off sites are self-unload, so protect your hands from splinters, nails and sharp edges.