Waukesha County, WI Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Landfill/burn ban
- Yard waste can't be landfilled or burned without energy recovery
- Yard waste defined
- Brush and debris under 6 inches in diameter
- Allowed disposal
- Compost facility, municipal site, or home composting
- Excludes
- Stumps, roots, shrubs with intact root balls
- Penalty
- $50 first, $100 second, up to $500 later
Summary
Waukesha County bars landfilling or burning yard waste without energy recovery, matching the statewide ban in Wis. Stat. § 287.07. Section 14-263(4) instead steers leaves, grass clippings, garden debris and brush under six inches in diameter toward compost facilities, municipal drop-off sites, or a resident's own backyard pile.
Yard waste shall not be landfilled or burned without energy recovery in a solid waste facility, in accordance with section 287.07, Wisconsin Statutes except as authorized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at a licensed wood-burning facility. Yard waste may be delivered to a compost facility, municipal collection site, or managed through home composting, or source reduction or other methods as permitted by state statutes or local ordinance.
Full Breakdown
07, Wisconsin Statutes except as authorized by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources at a licensed wood-burning facility. " The section defines "yard waste" by cross-reference to Section 14-259(28): "leaves, grass clippings, yard and garden debris and brush, including clean, woody vegetative material no greater than six (6) inches in diameter," expressly excluding stumps, roots, or shrubs with intact root balls. This rule applies to occupants of single-family residences, two- to four-unit residences, multiple-family dwellings and non-residential facilities and properties within the towns for which Waukesha County is the state-designated "responsible unit" under Wis.
09(1); a municipality that holds its own responsible-unit status is exempt under Section 14-257. Section 14-260 separately requires yard waste to be separated from other trash for recycling in the first place, and Section 14-264 puts the collection duty on member municipalities or their licensed haulers rather than directly on the county. A violation is enforced under Section 14-269: county staff may inspect collection sites and vehicles, and a citation carries a forfeiture of at least $50 for a first offense, at least $100 for a second, and up to $500 for each violation after that.
Violations & Fines
Landfilling brush, leaves or grass clippings, or burning yard waste without energy recovery, violates Section 14-263(4) and is enforced under Section 14-269's citation scheme: a forfeiture of not less than $50 for a first violation, not less than $100 for a second, and up to $500 for each subsequent violation, plus the underlying state penalties in Wis. Stat. § 287.07.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I burn yard waste in unincorporated Waukesha County?
What counts as yard waste under the county code?
Can I compost my own yard waste instead of setting it out for collection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukesha County
Compare Waukesha County to another location·View the Wisconsin trash & recycling overview
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