Apple Valley, MN Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Yard waste in Apple Valley is its own collection stream, set by § 50.04(B)(1)(h) of the Apple Valley Code of Ordinances. Each licensed refuse, recyclable and yard waste collector must provide a separate yard waste collection to customers who receive individual residential collection service. The season has two runs: weekly for a minimum of eight weeks in the spring, commencing on April 1, and weekly for eight weeks in the fall, commencing on September 15. The Apple Valley City Council in Dakota County, Minnesota, can direct different dates by resolution.

What counts as yard waste is defined in § 50.01: organic material consisting of grass clippings, leaves and other forms of organic garden waste, but excluding bushes, fibrous brush, woody materials or other materials that are not readily compostable within a calendar year. Woody brush therefore does not belong in a yard waste container.

Set-out follows the general placement rule. Collection is from a location consistent with § 50.02(C), so yard waste containers go to the curb or agreed collection point no earlier than 6:00 p.m. of the night before collection day. The hauler sets specific dates and times within the season but must give reasonable notice and instructions to the customer, and must ensure that refuse and yard waste materials are not mixed at the time of collection and final disposal. Collected yard waste can only be disposed of at a composting facility authorized or approved by Dakota County or another appropriate governmental unit.

Two other sections matter. Section 50.06 bars depositing refuse or yard waste in or upon any public street, public waters or the ice thereon, shoreland areas adjacent to public ponds or lakes, public lands, public storm sewer systems, or any private land without the owner's consent. Section 50.03(B)(6) makes yard waste one condition of the self-hauling exemption: it must be privately composted, or unloaded only at a compost facility or through licensed collectors.