Paterson, NJ Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Placement window
- 7 days before collection only
- Storm drain buffer
- 10 feet minimum
- Enforcement
- Dept. of Public Works
- Max fine
- $2,000 per violation
Summary
Paterson only allows loose leaves and grass at the curb during the seven days before a scheduled collection, and bans placing it within 10 feet of any storm drain inlet.
Sweeping, raking, blowing or otherwise placing yard waste that is not containerized at the curb or along the street is only allowed during the seven days prior to a scheduled and announced collection and shall not be placed closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet. Placement of such yard waste at the curb or along the street at any other time or in any other manner is a violation of this article. If such placement of yard waste occurs, the party responsible for placement of the yard waste must remove the yard waste from the street or said party shall be deemed in violation of this article.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4713536; v19 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 427, Article VI of the Paterson City Code, sweeping, raking, blowing or otherwise placing non-containerized yard waste, leaves and grass clippings, at the curb or along the street is permitted only during the seven days immediately preceding an announced collection date, and never closer than 10 feet to a storm drain inlet. Yard waste left out any other time, or placed within that buffer, is a violation, and the responsible party must remove it from the street or face enforcement by the Department of Public Works.
Violations & Fines
A violation risks a fine up to $2,000 under § 427-41, enforced by the Department of Public Works; the responsible party must also remove improperly placed yard waste from the street.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put loose leaves at the curb in Paterson?
How close to a storm drain can yard waste be placed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Paterson
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