Elyria, OH Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Yard waste is defined in Section 959.01(n) of the Elyria Codified Ordinances: leaves, brush, dead plants, weeds, garden wastes, dead trees or branches, woodchips, tree trimmings and prunings, but specifically excluding grass clippings. The definitions came from Ord. 2017-11, passed by City Council on 2-6-17. The carve-out matters because Section 959.01(m) also excludes grass clippings and yard waste from the definition of rubbish, so yard waste is a separate collection stream from ordinary trash and grass clippings are not part of it.

The City handles the collection itself. Section 959.01(d) defines the collector as the City and its duly authorized agents and employees connected with the collection and disposal of garbage, rubbish, newspapers, commingled recyclable materials and yard waste. Section 959.09 authorizes the Director of Safety-Service to make the rules, regulations and standards for collecting yard waste, including dividing the City into collection districts.

Set-out timing is in Section 959.13(a): yard waste shall not be placed on curb lawns or other collection sites before 5:00 p.m. on the day before the designated pick-up day and after 7:00 a.m. on the designated pick-up day. Section 959.13(b) lets the Director authorize additional pick-ups of yard waste placed out in violation of that rule, at a charge added to the Section 959.99(b) penalty. Burning of wastes is not a disposal route in the City: Section 959.07 sends burning to Part Fifteen, the Fire Prevention Code, and Section 959.08 forbids burying, burning or dumping within City limits any garbage or rubbish.