Fort Myers, FL Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Bundle limit
- under 6 ft, tied
- Weight limit
- 50 lbs per item
- Loose palm fronds
- up to 50 lbs allowed
- Collection frequency
- weekly curbside
- Free pile size
- up to 10 cu. yd./week
Summary
Fort Myers collects bagged, bundled, or curbside-piled vegetative waste weekly, with strict size and weight limits before oversized loads trigger special-pickup charges.
For curbside collection, the following applies: All grass clippings, leaves, pine needles, and similar small loose items must be bagged or containerized; tree cuttings, bushes, twigs, etc., (except palm fronds) and similar articles shall be in tied bundles, or in cans and shall be less than six feet in length; up to 50 pounds of unbundled or untied palm fronds may be placed neatly at curbside; vegetative waste, except palm fronds, must be no more than six feet in length and no single item shall weigh more than 50 pounds, and shall be placed neatly at the curb.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 60).
Full Breakdown
The city's solid waste code defines "vegetative waste", grass clippings, palm fronds, tree and shrub trimmings, branches, and sets curbside prep rules: loose material like grass and leaves must be bagged or containerized, brush and twigs (other than palm fronds) tied in bundles under six feet, and no single item over 50 pounds. Palm fronds up to 50 pounds may be left loose. Residential vegetative/bulk waste is collected once a week (Sec. 70-45(c)). Christmas trees are accepted as vegetative waste if under eight feet and under 50 pounds.
Violations & Fines
Piles exceeding 10 cubic yards per parcel, or set out more than 24 hours before collection day, are billed as a special pickup at $27.30 per additional cubic yard (Sec. 70-83(1)); unlawful accumulation on a right-of-way beyond 24 hours is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $100-$500 per offense per day (Sec. 70-54).
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bag grass clippings in Fort Myers?
How much yard waste can Fort Myers residents put out free?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Myers
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Fort Myers to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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Yard Waste Collection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Lee County handle yard waste collection.