Loose leaf collection for single-family and townhouse owners in the City begins Monday, March 23, and continues through Friday, April 10, 2026, weather permitting. Collection is made weekly on your regular recycling day, though there may be a one- to two-day delay during busy periods.

Place leaves at the street curb by 7 a.m. on your collection day. Leaves placed in alleys or mews will not be collected. After the collection period ends, leaves may be placed in biodegradable brown paper bags and set out curbside with yard waste on your weekly recycling collection day.

Important Guidelines

• Remove limbs, rocks, and other heavy objects from leaf piles.
• Never drive over or park on a leaf pile, and please do not allow children to play in leaves along the street.
• During periods of potential storm activity, delay leaf raking until after the storm has passed.
• Do not rake leaves into gutters or streets. Instead, rake them into grassy areas behind the curb line. This allows stormwater to reach catch basins and helps prevent clogs and street flooding. Assistance moving leaves already in gutters to grassy areas is greatly appreciated.
• The burning of leaves is not permitted in the City.

Consider “Leaving the Leaves”

Before you begin your yard cleanup, consider waiting. Hold off until temperatures consistently stay above 50°F—many butterflies, bees, and other pollinators overwinter in dead leaves and hollow stems from last year’s plants. Cleaning too early could mean discarding this year’s pollinators. Learn more about the benefits of leaving the leaves here.

Recycle Coach

To help residents reduce waste and recycle smarter, the City encourages downloading the free Recycle Coach app. This online tool provides:

• Collection reminders and service updates
• A searchable guide to properly dispose of hundreds of items
• Event calendars with notifications, including loose leaf collection reminders

Learn more about Recycle Coach here.

Questions?

For more information on loose leaf collection, click here or contact the Department of Public Works at 301-258-6370 or recycle@gaithersburgmd.gov.