Solid Waste and Recycling -
Seasonal Leaf Collection ("Leaf Season")

Allied Waste and Waste Management, the City's two residential garbage service providers, start their seasonal leaf collection service on October 1 of each year. This special service ends on December 31. This time period, October 1 through December 31, is known as "Leaf Season".

How To Participate

During Leaf Season only, your service provider will collect up to (5) additional bags (preferably clear bags) of leaves at no additional charge. Just place the bagged leaves next to your green waste cart on your regular service day. Extra Service stickers are not required for bagged leaves during Leaf Season.

Residents are reminded that leaf bags must contain only leaves. If a bag contains leaves mixed with grass trimmings, branches, brush or other non-leaf content, the bag will not be collected without an Extra Service sticker.

Tips for Managing Leaf Season

Because all green waste must be containerized, the City and the garbage companies have created the following list of helpful tips to assist residents with managing their leaves during Leaf Season.

Tips for Managing Leaf Season (PDF)

“Leaf Season” and this free additional leaf pick-up ends each year on December 31st. After December 31st, only bags with “Extra Service” stickers will be picked up.

Street Sweeping

Leaves that fall naturally in the street will be collected by street sweepers every other week. To view the street sweeping schedule, click here.

Remember...residents are no longer allowed to rake, blow or pile leaves in the street for collection per Stockton Municipal Code 7-052.

Illegal Leaf Piles

Piles of leaves cannot be placed in the streets.

In fact, placing piles of leaves in the street or

gutter is a violation of the City's Municipal Code

and could make you subject to a fine. The only

leaves that should be in the street are those

that fall there directly from the trees!

If  a complaint is received about about leaf piles in the street, here is what happens:

1. The Solid Waste and Recycling Field Specialist or a Code Enforcement Officer verifies that there is loose pile of green waste or leaves in the public right-of-way (street or gutter).
   
   
2. The officer issues a 24-hour Violation Warning Notice with the "Intent to Abate" box checked. This provides notice that the piles must be removed from the public right-of-way.
   
   
3. On the next day, the officer comes out to inspect again. If the pile is still there, the Officer issues a 24-hour Administrative Citation, which carries inspection and case processing fees. To see the current Fee Schedule, click here.
   
   
4. On the following day, the officer can either issue another Administrative Citation, with an additional inspection fee and fine, OR have the pile(s) abated by City contractor, with the contractor and administrative fees being charged to the owner/tenants who are in violation.

Further Assistance

Please call your service provider's Customer Service Center if you have any questions regarding this seasonal collection service.