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St. Louis County, MN Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing law: Ordinance No. 45, Article VI, Section 8.1
Yard waste definition: Garden waste, leaves, lawn cuttings, weeds, shrub and tree waste
Barred act: Placing yard waste in mixed solid waste containers
Hauler remedy: May refuse pickup, must notify occupant why
License risk: Repeated noncompliance risks hauler license action, Article IX §1.5

Summary

Ordinance No. 45 keeps yard waste out of the trash: Article VI, Section 8.1 bars placing yard waste, garden waste, leaves, grass clippings, and prunings in containers collected as mixed municipal solid waste. A hauler who finds yard waste mixed into a trash container can refuse to pick it up and must tell the occupant why.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of St. Louis County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

8.1 No Person or legal entity shall place in containers for Collection by a Hauler or for Disposal in a Solid Waste Facility any of the following materials: manure, Household Hazardous Waste, Hazardous Waste, pathological waste or Infectious Waste as these wastes are defined by state and federal regulations, materials separated for Recycling, tires, used motor oil, lead acid batteries, rechargeable or button batteries, Yard Waste, mercury or a thermostat, thermometer, electric switch, appliance or a medical or scientific instrument from which the mercury has not been removed for reuse or Recycling, or any other item specifically barred from the waste stream under Minnesota law. [Article IV] Yard Waste: garden wastes, leaves, lawn cuttings, weeds, shrub and tree waste, and prunings.

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Full Breakdown

1 of Ordinance No. 45 names 'Yard Waste' directly among the materials 'No Person or legal entity shall place in containers for Collection by a Hauler or for Disposal in a Solid Waste Facility,' in the same list as household hazardous waste, tires, and materials separated for recycling. 1 requires that yard waste 'be otherwise Disposed of by a Person or legal entity in accordance with programs administered by the Environmental Services Department and with Minnesota law' rather than sent to a landfill mixed with household garbage. 2 requires it be transported 'to a place providing proper Disposal' rather than to a standard facility. 5.

Violations & Fines

Bagging yard waste, grass clippings, leaves, or prunings with regular household trash violates Article VI, Section 8.1; a hauler may refuse the pickup and must explain why under Section 8.2. A hauler that repeatedly collects mixed loads risks license suspension or revocation under Article IX, Section 1.5, and general Ordinance violations are misdemeanors under Section 3.3.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I throw grass clippings and leaves in my trash can in St. Louis County?

No. Article VI, Section 8.1 of Ordinance No. 45 bars placing Yard Waste, defined in Article IV as 'garden wastes, leaves, lawn cuttings, weeds, shrub and tree waste, and prunings,' in containers collected as mixed municipal solid waste. Haulers can refuse pickup of a can that mixes the two.

What does the county consider yard waste?

Ordinance No. 45's Article IV definitions section defines Yard Waste as 'garden wastes, leaves, lawn cuttings, weeds, shrub and tree waste, and prunings.' That is the same category barred from mixed municipal solid waste containers under Article VI, Section 8.1, and it must instead go through a program the Environmental Services Department administers.

What happens if a hauler finds yard waste in my trash?

Under Section 8.2, the hauler may refuse to collect the container's contents and must notify you of the prohibited material and the reason for non-collection. If the hauler collects it anyway, the Ordinance requires the material be transported to a place providing proper disposal rather than a standard facility.

Sources & Official References

[1]St. Louis County Ordinance No. 45, Solid Waste Ordinance (PDF)

Other rules in St. Louis County

Collection ScheduleHeavy Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome Restrictions Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome Restrictions Illegal DumpingHeavy Restrictions Recycling RequirementsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesLight Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSignificant Restrictions

All St. Louis County rules

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