HARRISONBURG, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – With leaves changing and falling, Harrisonburg Public Works is preparing to begin leaf collection services.

Annual curbside leaf collection starts Nov. 12 and runs through mid-December, weather permitting.

Leaf Collection Schedule:

West Side of Main Street & Forest Hills

  • Nov. 12 to Nov. 15 (excludes holidays)
  • Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 (excludes holidays)
  • Dec. 2 to Dec. 6

East Side of Main Street & Fairway Drive

  • Nov. 18 to Nov. 22
  • Nov. 25 to Nov. 27 (excludes holidays)
  • Dec. 9 to Dec. 13

Residents must have leaves out by Monday of their scheduled week for collection. Streets will be done only once per scheduled week. They must be raked to the back of the curb, not extending more than 10 feet into the yard and not placed into the street.

Vehicles should not be parked around the leaves for collection.

Community members with leaves that need to be collected before or after the Harrisonburg Public Works collection period are asked to place them in a biodegradable bag or a 35-gallon or less container with no liner for assigned Wednesday Bulk Trash Day pickup.

Improperly placed leaves will incur a violation fee. They may also be placed in biodegradable bags and taken to the Recycling Convenience Center, 2055 Beery Road, during open hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, excluding holidays.

The vacuum truck won’t pick up leaves if there is excessive grass, limbs, branches, etc. mixed in, no exceptions.

“We are happy to offer leaf collection services this year to community members who wish to have their leaves picked up and thank the community in advance for properly placing their leaves for pickup behind the curb,” Public Works Outreach and Communication Specialist Brittany Clem-Hott said. “Proper leaf placement ensures consistency for our crews and helps reduce stormwater issues in the city, keeping leaves out of our stormwater drains.”

Public Works encourages residents to consider alternative leaf maintenance methods, like mulching on the lawn by mowing them to avoid smothering, by leaving them in perennial beds, under tree canopies, around shrubs and some ground covers. Mowing lawn leaves can benefit home greenspace by reducing noise, greenhouse gases, creating compost that enriches soil, reducing air pollution and providing winter shelter for beneficial organisms.

Questions about leaf collection services may be directed to Public Works at 540-434-5928.