Government > City Departments/Offices > Public Works > Yard and Bagged Leaves ~ Composting Too > Leaf Vacuuming ~ Seasonal > Leaf Vacuum Preparation

The leaf vacuum collection service is available to residents receiving municipal refuse collection (except the Historic District within Ward 1).  City crews drive through the neighborhoods with specialized vacuum-equipped trucks to collect leaves that have been raked into the curb and gutter line (not sidewalks).

It will be helpful for you to note the following:

Loose leaves.  During peak leaf season, loose leaves blown into the street and curb by the wind will be passed by because crews focus on the larger piles in order to stay on schedule.  City crews will return before the season is over to collect the loose leaves.

Noise and dust.  The vacuum motor on the leaf collection vehicle generates noise and a certain amount of dust as it operates.  The City replaces dust filters on the equipment as often as possible, but if the season has been dry, it is nearly impossible to eliminate dust.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we will continue to do our part to minimize impact to the greatest extent possible.

Yard Trimmings.  Leaf vacuuming is a service provided separately from municipal yard waste collection.  Bagged leaves will be collected every other week on the normal yard waste collection days according to your yard waste collection schedule.

Rake leaves into a pile in the curb line.  By consolidating leaves into a pile rather than loosely down the curb line, City crews can move more rapidly through the neighborhoods and collect more efficiently.  Leaves should not be raked into the curb line or road right-of-way in such a manner as to obstruct the sidewalk or street, or to create a fire hazard.

 

Pile leaves away from cars.  As you pile your leaves, build the pile in a location where crews can have quick and easy access to them.  Avoid areas where cars are parked or tree limbs hang low.  Do not put leaves down or near storm drains.

Remove tree limbs, rocks, and debris.  It is important to remove tree limbs, rocks, bricks, and other debris that might be mixed in with the leaves.  These materials damage City equipment and will delay collection.