Short answer: yes, but only if the steel is properly protected and you dry it afterward. A bare carbon steel bin will start rusting pretty quickly when water sits in seams, scratches, or hinge areas. Most urban trash cans are powder-coated, galvanized, or made from stainless steel, and those handle hosing much better.
If your bin is painted or coated, use a gentle hose rather than a high-pressure jet, avoid blasting water directly into welds and seams, use a mild soap, rinse well, then tip it and let it dry. Check for chips and touch them up when needed. Stainless steel is more forgiving, but drying it still helps prevent spots and surface corrosion. So hosing down a steel city bin is fine with the right coating and a little maintenance—just don’t treat untreated steel like it’s waterproof.