Spotsylvania County, VA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Sec. 9-101 defines "yard waste" as leaves, twigs, small branches no larger than two inches in diameter, and tree, yard and garden trimmings generated on the premises of a private residence, distinguishing it from "debris waste" left over from land-clearing operations. Because Spotsylvania's Green Box drop-off sites bar brush and other bulky yard debris under Sec. 19-6(2), and the county runs no curbside brush collection route, residents in most zoning districts dispose of yard waste by burning it under Sec. 9-102(g). That subsection sets six conditions: the burn must occur on the private property where the waste was generated, the fire cannot exceed four feet by four feet by four feet, it must sit at least three hundred feet from any occupied structure, it must be attended at all times with tools such as a garden hose on hand, no regularly scheduled collection service for the trimmings can be available at the curb, and the fire marshal may order the fire extinguished if a neighbor within one thousand feet complains of nuisance smoke affecting public health or safety.

On property zoned Agricultural 3, Sec. 9-102(f) relaxes the setback to fifty feet from any structure while keeping the same four-foot fire-size cap. Sec. 9-102(j) further limits any yard waste burning to the parcel where the material originated, so waste cannot be trucked to a neighbor's lot for disposal. Sec. 9-102(h) lets the fire marshal shorten the distance requirements with the written consent of the affected property owner and occupant. Violations of these conditions fall under the Article IV enforcement provision, Sec. 9-105(c), which makes a violation a Class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 per offense, with each continuing day charged separately.