Lexington, KY Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Section 16-9 sets the physical limits for woody debris set out for collection: branches and similar landscape waste cannot exceed six inches in diameter, must be cut into lengths no longer than four feet, and must be tied into bundles that weigh no more than sixty pounds so a single collector can lift them by hand. The same section requires that any bundle or container of bulk trash, cardboard, wooden crates, and similar refuse, be no larger than three feet by four feet. Section 16-10(b) separately governs nonwoody yard waste such as grass clippings and leaves: it must be placed in an approved yard waste container, never mixed into a regular trash or recycling bin, and an approved yard waste container is not allowed to hold anything other than yard waste.

Per section 16-10(a), yard waste in approved containers is collected on the same weekly day as regular garbage service. If a container or bundle does not meet these specifications, section 16-9 authorizes the director of the division of solid waste to post a notice on the front door listing the defect, mail or fax a copy to the property owner of record, and, if the problem is not corrected, abate it under section 16-8 and bill the property owner for the cost.