Fort Wayne, IN Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Fort Wayne Code § 50.11
- Landfill disposal
- Prohibited since July 1996
- Branch limit
- 3 ft long, 3 in thick
- Bag weight limit
- 35 pounds
- Max fine
- $2,500 (§ 50.99)
Summary
Fort Wayne prohibits yard waste in landfills. Grass clippings and vegetative matter must be set out in city carts or biodegradable bags, and tree branches must be cut to three feet, kept under three inches thick, and bagged at no more than 35 pounds.
Beginning January 1, 2000, vegetative matter resulting from landscaping maintenance may be set out for garbage collection. Grass clippings and other vegetative matter must be contained in city cart(s), biodegradable paper lawn bags or plastic bags and must meet the requirements set forth by the Solid Waste Department. Tree branches must be cut to three feet in length and placed in city cart(s) or biodegradable paper lawn bags or plastic bags. Individual branches cannot exceed three inches in diameter. Individual bags cannot exceed 35 pounds in weight. (Ord. G-19-96, passed 8-13-96; Am. Ord. G-38-07, passed 12-18- 07; Am. Ord. G- 18-26, passed 7-14-26) Penalty, see § 50.99
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
Under Code of Ordinances § 50.11, Fort Wayne residents may not dispose of landscaping or land-clearing vegetative matter in a solid waste landfill. Leaves cannot go in the city cart; the Street Department collects them loose or in biodegradable paper bags only during the fall leaf season. The rest of the year, grass clippings and other yard waste go out with regular garbage in city carts, biodegradable paper lawn bags, or plastic bags. Tree branches must be cut to three feet in length and no more than three inches in diameter, and any bag used for yard waste cannot exceed 35 pounds. Violations fall under the general solid waste penalty at § 50.99.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 50.11's landfill and set-out rules is punishable under § 50.99(A) with a fine of up to $2,500, and each day the violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grass clippings in my regular trash cart in Fort Wayne?
How big can tree branches be for yard waste collection?
What about fall leaves?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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