Iowa City, IA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Definition
- Grass, leaves, trees, brush, garden residue
- Trash ban
- Yard waste barred from landfill trash, § 16-3H-6(F)
- Curb set-out window
- 3:00 PM day before to 7:00 AM collection day
- Landfill rule
- Recycled at landfill, not disposed as trash
- First offense fine
- $100 civil penalty
Summary
Iowa City bans yard waste from the regular trash bound for the landfill. Grass, leaves, brush and garden residue must be set out separately for city collection or recycled at the landfill; the City will not collect yard waste that is not properly stored and separated from other refuse.
It shall be prohibited for any person or operator or any agent or representative thereof to: ... F. ... Place the following items in the trash to be landfilled: tires; yard waste; corrugated cardboard; computer monitors; televisions; appliances; lead acid batteries; and oil and oil filters.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-26: Code current through: Ord. 26-4985, passed May 19, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Iowa City Code 16-3H-2 defines yard waste as grass, leaves, trees, brush and garden residue. Section 16-3H-6(F) makes it a prohibited practice to place yard waste, along with tires, corrugated cardboard, computer monitors, televisions, appliances, lead acid batteries and oil filters, in the trash to be landfilled. Instead, 16-3H-8(A)(2)(a) allows the City to collect residential yard waste in the same manner as refuse, on the weekly route, but 16-3H-8(A)(2)(b) states the City will not collect yard waste that is not properly stored and separated in accordance with Article H, and 16-3H-8(A)(2)(c) excludes untreated wood waste generated by commercial tree service operations from city pickup entirely.
on collection day, and 16-3H-8(A)(6)(b) requires yard waste containers to be physically separated from refuse and clearly marked. Diverting yard waste matters at disposal too: under 16-3H-9(D)(2), yard waste may not be disposed of at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, but may be recycled there instead, with the person delivering it responsible for separating and unloading it at the designated recycling site. Billing for collection service runs through the fee schedule in Title 3, Chapter 4 of the City Code.
Violations & Fines
Placing yard waste in the regular trash, or disposing of it at the landfill instead of the recycling area, violates 16-3H-6(F) and 16-3H-9(D)(2) and is enforceable as a municipal infraction under Code 1-4-2(B)(2): $100 for a first offense, $250 for a second, and $500 for a third or subsequent offense, with each day treated as a separate offense. Improper landfill disposal can also trigger revocation of landfill disposal privileges under 16-3H-9(E)(3).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grass clippings and leaves in my regular trash cart in Iowa City?
Will Iowa City collect a pile of loose brush at the curb?
What happens if I haul yard waste to the Iowa City Landfill myself?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Iowa City
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