Arlington County, VA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- Weekly, part of mandatory Residential Collection System
- Bundle size limit
- 4 ft long, 24 in diameter, 50 lb max
- Unbundled brush limit
- Up to 10 ft long, 18 in diameter
- Special Collection arranged by
- Dept. of Environmental Services, 1 day notice
- Separation required since
- July 1, 2015 (§10-6.B.1.a(3))
- Civil penalty
- Up to $300 per violation (§10-11)
- Uncollected removal fee
- $300 plus disposal costs (§10-6.E.2)
Summary
Arlington County collects yard trimmings weekly as part of its mandatory Residential Collection System. Grass clippings, leaves, brush and tree trimmings go out in the county Organics Cart, Household Containers or biodegradable paper bags, separated from trash and recycling. Bundled branches can't exceed 4 feet long, 24 inches around or 50 pounds, and larger unbundled brush needs a Special Collection scheduled with the Department of Environmental Services.
“Unbundled Brush” means trees, tree branches, shrubbery trimmings and similar plant material not exceeding ten (10) feet in length and eighteen (18) inches in diameter. ... “Yard Trimmings” means decomposable waste materials generated by general residential yard and lawn care and includes leaves, grass trimmings, brush, wood chips, and shrub and tree trimmings. ... Yard Trimmings shall be placed at the Collection Point in Organics Carts, Household Containers, Biodegradable Paper Bags, or bundles. ... (9) Bundled Material and Bundled Brush shall be securely tied in bundles, with each bundle not to exceed four (4) feet in length, twenty-four (24) inches in diameter and fifty (50) pounds in weight. (10) Unbundled Brush, Scrap Metal, and Electronics shall be placed at the Collection Point only when arrangements for collection have been made with the Department of Environmental Services. Collection arrangements shall be made no later than the work day prior to the regularly scheduled collection day.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 10 of the Arlington County Code defines Yard Trimmings as decomposable waste from residential yard and lawn care, including leaves, grass trimmings, brush, wood chips, and shrub and tree trimmings, but excludes roots or stumps over 12 inches in diameter and anything from land clearing or development work (§10-2). a(3)). Grass and leaves go in the county-issued Organics Cart, a Household Container, Biodegradable Paper Bags, or a bundle. Bundled Material and Bundled Brush cannot exceed 4 feet in length, 24 inches in diameter or 50 pounds; anything larger counts as Unbundled Brush, defined as trees, branches, and shrubbery trimmings up to 10 feet long and 18 inches in diameter (§10-2). a(10)). e). f(4)).
Violations & Fines
Failing to follow the storage and placement rules in §10-6 is a civil offense under §10-11, punishable by up to $300 per violation. If yard trimmings are left at the Collection Point because they weren't properly bundled or separated, the County can remove them itself after posting a violation notice and a 48-hour cure period, then bill a $300 removal fee plus disposal costs to the property's Household Solid Waste Rate charge (§10-6.E.2).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to separate yard trimmings from my trash in Arlington County?
How big can tree branches be for regular yard waste pickup?
Is there a special leaf collection season?
What happens to tree debris too big for county pickup?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
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