The City begins picking up leaves in residential areas on the first weekday in November following the garbage collection routes, and makes two complete passes throughout the city.

In 2024, crews began in Thursday's garbage collection area on Nov. 1. Once Thursday's area is finished (which may take up to a week or more), crews will begin picking up leaves in Friday's area, then Monday's, etc., until all five areas are complete.

Working through a garbage collection area does not mean the crews will necessarily be there on Tuesday or Wednesday, etc., but that they are working in that collection area. Each area could take one week or more to complete.

Receive Updates

Interested in receiving updates on the current location of the crews? Sign up for E-Notifications.

Alternate Leaf Disposal Option

As an option for city residents, a loose leaf drop off site will be available in the parking lot at the Mill Creek Sportsplex, from Nov. 1 to Jan. 12.  Residents may take their loose leaves to this location in addition to or in place of having them picked up in the street by the City crews.

Drop off area accepts loose leaves only - no bagged leaves. If illegal dumping of material other than leaves becomes a problem at the drop site, the area will be removed.

Requirements for Leaf Pickup

• Pile loose leaves in the street along the curb near the gutter. 
• Keep the gutter clear. Allow at least 1 foot between the curb and the leaves.
• Don't block stormwater grates.
• Leaves need to be free of other debris and not bagged.
• Separate loose leaves and brush. Piles that contain limbs, brush or other yard waste will not be picked up.
• Place your leaf piles away from trees that have overhanging branches less than 14 feet from the ground, or lower branches that protrude into the lane of travel. These branches pose hazards to our equipment.
• Park vehicles at least 10 feet away from piles.
• Do not place leaves in lanes of travel (bike lanes/travel lanes).

Facts

• Loose leaves are picked up at no extra charge to city residential sanitation customers.
• This program helps to keep gutters and storm drainage grates clean and working properly through the winter.
• The Loose Leaf Collection Program lasts approximately six to eight weeks.
• Crews make two trips around town, following the Sanitation routes.
• Front-end loaders with claw attachments and rear-load garbage trucks with special chutes are used. The claw picks up the leaves and places them into the chute/hopper of the rear load garbage truck.
• The street sweeper follows on the last round.
• Often, when residents see our machinery approaching, they will come out and move their parked vehicles so we can access their leaf piles more easily. The crews appreciate this, as it makes the process go more smoothly.
• The City recycles leaves as compost. Diverting these natural materials from the solid waste stream helps extend the usable space of the landfill and keeps methane-producing materials out of the landfill.

Does the City Know When Your Leaves Will Be Picked Up?

• We’re unable to provide a day when crews will be on your specific street, since the collection may go more quickly or slowly than anticipated. We aren’t able to promise a set schedule for the sweeper, either, as its progress also depends on a variety of factors. But in general, it will likely follow a week or two after the pickup. We do notify the public when crews move on to the next sanitation route. For these notifications, follow the City on Facebook, Twitter, or Nextdoor, or sign up to receive "Leaf collection" news on our Receive City News page.

Free viewers are required for some of the attached documents.
They can be downloaded by clicking on the icons below.

Acrobat Reader Windows Media Player Word Viewer Excel Viewer PowerPoint Viewer