Albany, OR Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Albany Municipal Code § 8.01.020 declares that keeping any debris, garbage, or junk out of doors on any street, public sidewalk, lot, or premises within the City of Albany, Linn County, Oregon is a nuisance and is unlawful. Under subsection (2)(a)(ii), the list of debris that must be removed, and kept removed, includes all dead bushes, dead trees, stumps, and yard clippings or cuttings of plant material. The section works as a property-condition standard: cleared vegetation cannot be left piled on a lot or on the street.

Three conditions together protect plant material from the rule. The material must be maintained as part of a naturescaped property, must not result in a nuisance as otherwise defined in the code, and must be located on a property which is otherwise substantially in compliance with the chapter. If any of those fails, the pile is nuisance debris.

Where there is no imminent danger to human life, safety, or property, the city manager or their designee issues a citation to the owner or person in charge of the property, and § 8.01.020(3)(a) requires a 30-day notice with the citation on the first offense. If abatement is completed within the 30 days, the courts dismiss the citation. A one-time extension of up to 30 days can be granted for special circumstances. Any additional offense removes the possibility of citation dismissal and of an extension. Placing items under a tarp does not remedy a violation.

If the owner does not abate, the city proceeds under Chapter 8.37 AMC. Notice is posted on the premises and mailed, the owner has 10 days to abate or appeal in writing, and the City can abate at a fee sufficient to cover the direct cost of removal plus 30 percent for administrative overhead, charged to the owner. Unpaid costs can be assessed as a lien on the property. Dead trees on private property also fall under § 7.98.140, which gives owners 30 days after service of notice to remove a dead or dangerous tree.