Leaf Removal
The City of Portland removes fallen leaves from streets in 18 leaf districts (including Northwest Portland) and turns them into high-quality compost at Sunderland Recycling Facility. Collection begins in early November and ends in mid-December.
Click here for the 2009 Leaf District Schedule. Residents in the leaf removal neighborhoods are notified in advance of their scheduled dates by a mailed flyer. Check Northwest Portland Clean Sweep if you reside in Northwest Portland.
Property owners are responsible for collecting and disposing of leaves that fall behind the curb and on the sidewalks in front of their property. Please be aware that we ask all residents not to rake leaves into the street. Use your yard debris collection service, or take your leaves to METRO transfer stations. Contact METRO at 503-234-3000 for information on yard debris and leaf composting. Find your garbage hauler online.
Scheduled Street Leaf Removal
The fall street leaf removal program focuses on picking up the leaves that fall onto the streets in neighborhoods with high concentrations of mature street trees. Street leaf removal helps reduce slippery road conditions, increasing the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Leaf removal also reduces localized flooding caused by clogged drain inlets. The City infrastructure benefits from the reduced amount of leaves entering storm drains.
If your property is within the boundaries of one of the leaf districts, you are scheduled for two pickups approximately three to four weeks apart.
DO
- Remove all vehicles from the street on the day of scheduled leaf removal.
- Move trailers, boats, basketball hoops, piles of rocks and mulch, or other items that would prevent City trucks from getting to the curb.
- Make sure your street trees provide 11 feet of clearance over the street so that City trucks can get to the curb. To obtain a free permit for tree trimming, call Urban Forestry at 503-823-4489.
- Report abandoned vehicles on your street to the Abandoned Auto Hotline at 503-823-7309.
DON'T
- Don't park vehicles on street on the day of scheduled leaf removal.
- Don't rake leaves from your yard into the street.
- Don't place branches, yard debris, or bags of leaves in the street.
2009 Leaf Removal Service Changes
WHAT YOU WILL SEE
- If your property is within the boundaries of one of the leaf districts, crews will be coming through your neighborhood this fall for two scheduled leaf removal pickups.
- 1st scheduled pickup - crews will push leaves into piles at intersections, load leaves into trucks, and haul them away to a recycling facility.
- 1st pickup will leave some leaf debris on the street because our street sweepers and flushing trucks will not be used during this pickup.
- 2nd scheduled pickup - crews will again push, load, and haul leaves PLUS street sweepers will sweep your street and flush it with water.
- 2nd pickup will result in a much cleaner street because your street will be flushed and swept.
Leaf Depot Program
The leaf depot program has been re-instituted in a limited capacity this year. Residents can deposit their leaves for a minimal fee at the locations listed below. The leaves will be recycled into high quality compost.
Cost
- $5.00 per car load
- $10.00 per truck, SUV, or trailer load
- $20.00 per truck and trailer (5 cubic yard maximum)
- $No commercial loads – these individuals will be referred to small local businesses, commercial recycle centers, or Metro)
Only leaves will be accepted
No other yard debris will be allowed. Please contact Metro Recycling at 503-234-3000 or use your curbside yard debris container for this material.
Depots open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m.\
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Lents Park
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Stanton Yard
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Westmoreland Park
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Gabriel Park
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Sat 11-14-09
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Sat 11-14-09 |
Sun 11-15-09
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Sat 11-21-09 |
Sat 11-21-09 |
Sun 11-22-09
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| Sat 12-05-09 |
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Sat 12-05-09 |
Sun 12-06-09
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Leaf Depot Addresses
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Lents Park – SE 92nd and SE Holgate, in the eastside parking lot
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Stanton Yard – 2929 N Kerby, west of Emanuel Hospital
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Westmoreland Park – SE 22nd and SE Nehalem, in parking lot next to the baseball field
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Gabriel Park - SW 42nd and Vermont, int he upper parking lot
Keep Storm Drains Clear
Portland receives on average 37 inches of rainfall annually, creating about 20 billion gallons of stormwater runoff. Storm drains, ditches, trash racks, and culverts all are prone to blockage, and leaves are the prime culprit in the fall.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Use a rake or pitch fork to clear leaves and debris from storm drains so that water can drain easily.
- Do not rake leaves into the street. Pile them on the curb in the parking strip and prepare them for curbside pickup.
- For leaves that have already fallen on the street, rake them about 12 inches from the curb to allow water to flow to the catch basin without carrying the leaves and other debris with it.
IN CASE OF STREET FLOODING
- To report a clogged storm drain, contact the Bureau of Transportation Maintenance Operations at 503-823-1700.
- When you see City crews out working, please slow down.
- Watch carefully for pedestrians and bicyclists, who may be in the street to avoid a flooded intersection or catch a bus.
- SHARE THE ROAD Darkness limits everyone's visibility. Look out for each other.
Questions or Comments?
Email: leafremoval@ci.portland.or.us
Voicemail: 503-823-1784
Write your Commissioner-in-Charge of Transportation: Mayor Sam Adams, 1221 SW Fourth Ave #340, Portland OR 97204
