San Leandro, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

SLMC § 3-6-100 defines "green waste" as all tree and plant trimmings, grass cuttings, dead plants, weeds, leaves, branches, and similar materials, but specifies that larger items like tree stumps and intact dead trees count as bulky waste instead. Under § 3-6-200, every person who owns, occupies, or controls property where green waste is produced must discard it through the regular collection service of the city's franchisee, starting service within 15 days of occupancy. Section 3-6-250(b) requires green waste to go in the container designated by the franchisee, positioned where the hauler can access it, and not overloaded; single-family and multi-family customers receive these carts free of charge.

Property owners can avoid the franchised service only by meeting one of the narrow exemptions in § 3-6-220, such as self-hauling all green waste to an authorized facility under § 3-6-320, and must document that with a written exemption request within 15 days plus proof such as facility receipts. Occupied single-family and multi-family residences, however, can never be exempted outright under § 3-6-220(b). "