Columbia, MO Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Definition
- Leaves, grass, brush, limbs, yard vegetation
- Curb window
- 4pm day before to 10pm pickup day
- Storm exception
- Director may suspend bagging after storms
- Landfill drop-off
- Free at city compost area
- Excludes
- Stumps, roots, rooted shrubs excluded
Summary
Columbia, Missouri defines yard waste as leaves, grass, brush, limbs and yard vegetation and bans setting it at the curb outside the 4 p.m.-to-10 p.m. collection window under the Boone County city's refuse code.
Yard Waste. Leaves, grass clippings, brush and limbs, yard and garden vegetation and Christmas trees. The term does not include stumps, roots or shrubs with intact root balls. ... It shall be unlawful for any person, partnership or corporation to place or allow any refuse, or yard waste to remain at the curb or edge of the roadway on any day other than the scheduled day of collection for that location. The "day of collection" is hereby defined to be the period from 4:00 p.m. of the day preceding collection until 10:00 p.m. the day of collection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 138).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 22-156 defines 'Yard Waste' as leaves, grass clippings, brush and limbs, yard and garden vegetation and Christmas trees, excluding stumps, roots or shrubs with intact root balls. Under § 22-158(b)(6), Columbia, Missouri residents may not leave yard waste at the curb or roadway edge except during the defined collection window: from 4:00 p.m. the day before pickup until 10:00 p.m. on collection day. Bagged yard waste must fit inside the refuse cart under § 22-159(e)(1)(g); after storms causing widespread tree damage the director may suspend the bagging requirement for brush and tree trimmings under § 22-158(f)(2). Clean yard waste is accepted free at the city landfill compost area.
Violations & Fines
Setting yard waste at the curb outside the collection window, or leaving bagged brush on top of a closed cart instead of inside it, is a misdemeanor under § 22-158(e) and § 16-31.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put yard waste at the curb in Columbia, MO?
Is Christmas tree disposal covered as yard waste?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia
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