City of Miami $4.5M Solid Waste Surcharge Settlement

Residents who paid a solid waste surcharge to the City of Miami as part of a building permit application between Dec. 23, 2010, and July 16, 2025, may qualify to claim a refund from a class action settlement.

The City of Miami agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it improperly assessed solid waste surcharges in connection with building permit applications.

Who is eligible to file a claim?

Class members are City of Miami residents who paid a solid waste surcharge as either the owner or applicant for a building permit between Dec. 23, 2010, and July 16, 2025.

• This includes both individuals and legal entities, such as businesses or trusts, as well as qualified legal successors.
• This excludes those who paid the solid waste surcharge but whom the city later reimbursed in whole or in part.

How much is the surcharge payout?

Pro rata payment: The settlement provides a refund of all solid waste surcharges eligible class members paid, but the total payout is subject to the net settlement fund and pro rata distribution, meaning each claimant’s share is proportional to the amount they paid compared to the total paid by all claimants.

The City of Miami will pay $4.5 million into a common fund. After deducting the costs of notice and settlement administration, the settlement administrator will distribute the remaining funds to class members who submit valid claims.

This means the actual refund a class member receives could be less than the total surcharge they paid.

How to claim a class action rebate

Class members can complete the online claim form or download, print, complete and mail the PDF claim form to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is Oct. 15, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: RT&S Investment Group LLC v. The City of Miami Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 301134, Los Angeles, CA 90030-1134

What proof or documentation is necessary to submit a claim?

• Online claimants must provide the claim ID and PIN located on the settlement notice they received.
• All claimants must provide the property address for which they paid the solid waste surcharge.

Payout options

• Paper check

$4.5 million settlement fund breakdown

The $4,500,000 settlement fund covers:

• Settlement administration and notice costs: To be determined
• Payments to class members: The remainder of the fund

The city will pay $1,500,000 in attorneys’ fees and costs separately from the $4,500,000 fund.

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Oct. 15, 2025
• Deadline for exclusion: Oct. 15, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Dec. 15, 2025

When is the Miami waste surcharge settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will distribute payments after the court grants final approval and resolves any appeals.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged the City of Miami improperly assessed solid waste surcharges in connection with building permit applications between Dec. 23, 2010, and July 16, 2025.

The city denied any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the risks and costs of continued litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Claim form
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement FAQs