Allentown, PA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 525-19
- Separation required
- Yes, unless resident composts
- Mulch loading fee
- $12 per cubic yard
- First-tier ticket
- $25 or $100
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Bureau
Summary
Allentown residents must keep yard waste separate from trash and recyclables until collection, unless they compost it themselves. Waste goes to curbside on scheduled days or to the City's designated yard waste site, with a $12-per-cubic-yard loading fee for mulch service.
A. Each person shall separate yard waste from other municipal waste generated at their homes, apartments and other residential establishments until collection unless those persons have otherwise provided for the composting of yard waste. B. Nothing herein shall require any person to gather yard waste or prevent any person from utilizing yard waste for compost, mulch, or other agricultural, horticultural, silvicultural, gardening or landscaping purposes. C. Yard waste shall be prepared and placed at curbside, separate from municipal waste and recyclable materials, for collection at such times and dates as may be established by regulation, or yard waste may be taken to the City's designated yard waste site. D. ... A yard waste material loading fee is hereby established at a rate of $12 per cubic yard for loading services provided by City staff for mulch.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4995055; v49 updated 2026-06-26; through 06-26-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 525-19 requires every household to separate yard waste from municipal waste generated at homes, apartments and other residential establishments, unless the resident has already arranged to compost that yard waste on-site. The section does not force anyone to rake or bag yard debris in the first place, and it expressly protects residents who choose to keep grass clippings, leaves and brush for composting, mulch, or other agricultural, horticultural or landscaping use instead of setting it out. Yard waste that is placed for collection must go to the curb separate from both municipal waste and recyclable materials, on the schedule the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste sets by regulation, or a resident may haul it directly to the City's designated yard waste site instead of waiting for pickup.
The Bureau operates that site and charges a loading fee of $12 per cubic yard when City staff load mulch for a resident. The Department of Public Works, the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste, the Bureau of Health and other City enforcement bureaus all have authority to enforce the article and to issue citations, violation tickets or notices of violation, and the Director of Public Works can adopt further rules governing exactly how yard waste must be prepared for pickup.
Violations & Fines
Under § 525-24, violation tickets run $25 or $100. Paying within 10 days closes the matter; missing that window adds a $10 penalty (on a $25 ticket) or $25 penalty (on a $100 ticket) for days 11 through 20, and nonpayment after 20 days escalates to a citation. Citation fines run $25 for a first conviction, $50 for a second, and $100 for a third or later conviction, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense. Ticket recipients can appeal to the Bureau of Recycling and Solid Waste within 10 days under § 525-22, and a Hearing Officer may uphold, deny or modify the ticket.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to bag and set out my leaves and grass clippings?
Where does yard waste go if I don't want curbside pickup?
What happens if I mix yard waste with my regular trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Allentown
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