Trenton, NJ Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Yard waste defined as
- loose leaves and grass clippings only
- Loose yard waste setback
- 10 feet from storm drain inlets
- Earliest curb placement
- 7 days before scheduled collection
- Containerized waste
- must use appropriate container at curb
- Maximum fine
- $2,000 per § 312-5
- Enforcing agency
- Trenton Police Department
- Leaf collection season
- Sept. 1 - Dec. 31 (§ 248-18)
Summary
Trenton bans sweeping, raking or blowing yard waste into the street except for a scheduled collection. Loose leaves and grass clippings must stay 10 feet from storm drains and go out no more than 7 days early, or be bagged at the curb. Violators face fines up to $2,000.
§ 312-3. Regulated activities. A. No person shall sweep, rake, blow, or otherwise place yard waste into the street unless it is for a scheduled collection. B. For non-containerized (loose) yard waste collection: Placement of loose yard waste must be at least 10 feet away from any storm drain inlet and no sooner than 7 days prior to a scheduled and announced collection. C. For containerized yard waste collection: Yard waste shall be placed in an appropriate container at the curb or along the street for collection. Placement of such yard waste on the street at any other time or in any other manner is a violation of this chapter. If such placement of yard waste occurs, the person responsible for placement of the yard waste shall be in violation of this chapter and must remove the yard waste immediately. There are no exemptions.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4853025; v21 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 312 of the City Code, adopted February 7, 2019 and amended May 9, 2024, governs yard waste, which the chapter defines narrowly as "loose leaves and grass clippings" only, not brush or branches. Section 312-3 splits handling into two tracks. Non-containerized (loose) yard waste must be placed at least 10 feet from any storm drain inlet and no sooner than 7 days before a scheduled, announced collection, so it does not wash into stormwater. Containerized yard waste, placed in a trash can, bucket, bag or similar vessel, must go in an appropriate container at the curb or along the street for pickup.
Sweeping, raking or blowing yard waste directly into the street is prohibited unless it coincides with a scheduled collection, and the code states flatly that there are no exemptions from these placement rules. Anyone who places yard waste at any other time or in any other manner is in violation and must remove it immediately. Separately, § 248-18 directs the Director of the Department of Public Works to run residential leaf collection from September 1 through December 31 each year, with leaves disposed of consistent with the City's recycling plan; that section cross-references Chapter 312 for yard waste generally.
Chapter 312 is enforced by the Trenton Police Department under § 312-4, and § 312-6 makes each section severable if any part is later found invalid.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 312, including illegal street placement of loose or containerized yard waste, is punishable by a fine of up to $2,000 under § 312-5, referencing the general penalty scale in Chapter 1, Article III. The person responsible must remove misplaced yard waste immediately; the code allows no exemption from that duty regardless of circumstance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put loose leaves at the curb in Trenton?
Can I bag grass clippings and leave them out anytime?
What happens if I sweep leaves into the Trenton street?
Does the yard waste ordinance cover tree branches?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Trenton
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