Roanoke, VA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Lawn rakings
- Must be sealed in bags, in a cart
- Leaf bag size
- At least 30-gallon paper bags
- Loose leaves
- Not collected; Class 1 misdemeanor
- Curb timing
- 7 p.m. night before to 7 a.m. after
- Oversized brush
- Routed to section 14.1-23 process
Summary
Roanoke sorts yard debris into four separate placement categories under City Code section 14.1-17: brush goes in an automated cart (or curbside collection under section 14.1-23 if too large), lawn rakings must be sealed in bags inside a cart, and leaves go either loose in the cart or in 30-gallon paper bags during the scheduled fall leaf season.
(a)Brush. All brush to be collected and removed shall be placed in an automated collection container for collection by an authorized person. An amount of brush too large for an automated collection container shall be subject to collection pursuant to section 14.1-23 of this Code.(b)Bulk items. All bulk items shall be placed at the curb for collection pursuant to section 14.1-16, or in an automated container. A paper bag containing only leaves shall not be considered a bulk item during leaf season.(c)Lawn rakings. Except as otherwise provided for, lawn rakings placed for collection shall be placed in sealed bags and deposited in an automated container.(d)Bagged leaves. Leaves gathered for disposal shall be placed in either an automated collection container at any time or placed in a paper bag of at least thirty (30)-gallon capacity, during leaf season in which the city manager has scheduled the removal and disposal of paper bags. All bagged leaves must be secured against spillage.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
The Department of Solid Waste Management enforces four distinct placement rules for yard waste. 1-23. 1-16 or in the automated container, and a paper bag holding only leaves is not treated as a bulk item during leaf season. Lawn rakings must be sealed in bags and placed inside the automated container, not loose at the curb. Bagged leaves can go in the automated container year-round, or in paper bags of at least 30-gallon capacity during the specific leaf season window the city manager schedules each fall, and those bags must be secured against spillage from wind or handling.
the day after, with at least five feet of clearance from vines, trees, vehicles, and structures. 1-21(a) lists loose leaves among the materials the city will not collect at all, alongside items like concrete and construction debris, and placing them out anyway is a Class 1 misdemeanor under that same subsection. Residents who are physically unable to move yard waste to the curb can apply for physically challenged service after providing a doctor's certification to the city manager, renewable in 12-month terms.
Violations & Fines
Setting out loose, unbagged leaves violates section 14.1-21(a), which lists loose leaves among the wastes the city will not collect and makes noncompliance a Class 1 misdemeanor. Separately, leaving automated containers or bagged yard waste at the curb outside the permitted window under section 14.1-18 exposes the property to a notice of violation, and a civil penalty of $25 attaches to each violation after the third notice issued to that property within one year, per section 14.1-24.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rake leaves into a loose pile at the curb in Roanoke?
Does Roanoke pick up bagged leaves all year?
What container do grass clippings need in Roanoke?
Can I put a large brush pile out with my regular yard waste?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roanoke
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