Fall Leaf Management Helps Prevent Property Damage, Injuries

Across Salem and the Willamette Valley, leaves are falling. Whether residents love or loathe this autumnal event, many will be asking themselves the same thing - what do I do with these leaves?

• Find your street sweeper schedule
  

Residents and business owners are asked to dispose of leaves responsibly. Raking or blowing leaves from lawns into the street is prohibited by Salem Revised Code 76.015. Blowing and dumping of leaves into the street can block drains and cause local street flooding dangerous for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.

Backed-up water can also damage homes and businesses. Proper leaf disposal requires picking up all the leaves that fall on your property to prevent them from clogging storm drains.

Here are some options for leaf management:

• Take them away
  
  • Place leaves in your yard waste bin or take them to Brown's Island Compost Facility at 2895 Faragate St. S
• Nourish your lawn
  
  • Mulch-mow leaves to make no-cost natural fertilizer
• Insulate Plants
  
  • Place over potted plants or garden beds to insulate plants for the winter
• Enhance your soil
  
  • Mix shredded leaves into your soil to add organic matter
• Compost
  
  • Add leaves to your compost pile
• Create habitat
  
  • Create a small leaf pile away from your house for wildlife
• Mulch
  
  • Put shredded leaves around trees and in garden beds
    

In past years, the City of Salem partnered with Marion County to host a Fall Leaf Haul; however, that program was discontinued in 2024 due to declining attendance. We thank everyone who participated and volunteered at this event through the years. Travelers are also asked to use caution during wet leaf season. Wet leaves on roadways can make pavement slippery at intersections and for pedestrians and cyclists. If you see issues with a storm drain or need to report flooding, contact Public Works Dispatch, at 503-588-6311 or [email protected].