Fall Leaves and Yard Waste Collection Begins in October 2025

The fall yard waste and leaves collection of 2025 begins in October.

You will receive three guaranteed curbside set-out opportunities for leaf and yard waste pickup this fall.

The exact dates when you should set out your leaves will depend on where you live.

Neighborhoods have different set-out dates.

For some neighborhoods, the first set-out opportunity will be Sunday, October 5, 2025. Others have a different first set-out date.

You need to use the yard waste website, or contact the Streets Division, to learn when you should set-out yard waste for pickup at your home.

Yard Waste Website

How do I get the fall yard waste set-out dates for my home?

Go to our yard waste webpage.

Enter your address into the form on the site.

You will see the upcoming set-out date for your neighborhood.

What will yard waste crews collect?

Yard waste crews collect leaves, weeds, pumpkins, and other plant debris you have raked or pulled from your lawn or garden.

Yard waste is not the same as brush.

Stacks of brush and piles of yard waste mixed together will not be picked up by the yard waste collection crews.

How should I put out my yard waste for collection?

Place the leaves and yard waste at the street edge or on the terrace.

Do not place yard waste into the street.

Keep the material at least four feet from obstructions. Street signs, utility poles, mailboxes, trees, stumps, and parked cars get in the way of crews.

If you bag your leaves and yard waste, please use compostable paper leaf and lawn bags. Keep your bags open so crews can see what is inside.

Other bags are acceptable if they are kept open, too. Crews may need to rip or slice open plastic bags to get the yard waste out. Crews will leave the split bags behind at the curb.

When will you collect my yard waste after I put it out?

Crews collect leaves and yard waste sometime during the work week following your set-out date.

The date listed on the website is not the date when crews pick up your yard waste.

When you put your yard waste out on the set-out date, your material will be out on time and ready for crews when they arrive.

When you put yard waste out on the correct set-out date it will only sit on the terrace for one week at most and the grass underneath the yard waste will be fine.

Can I take yard waste to a drop-off site?

Yes.

Drop-off sites are for City of Madison, Wisconsin residents or taxpayers.

Check the drop-off site website for locations, restrictions, and hours before loading your vehicle.

What are my options besides curbside pickup or the drop-off sites?

You can compost your yard waste to help your lawns and gardens grow next year.

Free guides on how to compost are available at City of Madison libraries and additional composting resources can be found on the Streets Division's website.

You can also mulch your leaves in place with your lawnmower. It's an easy way to help manage your leaves, help the lakes, and improve your lawns.

Do not place your leaves or yard waste into the trash or recycling carts. Leaves and yard waste are banned from the curbside carts.

More Information

Additional information about yard waste collection, including a frequently asked questions section, can be found on our yard waste webpage.

You can view our short how-to video about yard waste collection on the City of Madison, Wisconsin YouTube page.

Details about all Streets Division services can be found by exploring the Streets Division's website.