It’s that time of year when Sacramento leaves start to fall, and many residents find themselves with an excess of yard waste. To help accommodate this extra yard waste, the Recycling and Solid Waste Division deploys a special tractor called the “claw” to pick up leaf piles placed in the street.

Starting Monday, Nov. 4, City residents who receive leaf season collection will be able to pile yard waste in the street for collection by the claw. This special collection service continues through Feb. 3, 2025.

Customers can check the Collection Calendar to see their projected next leaf season collection date. Factors which can slow down leaf collections include rainy weather, and how much material is piled on the streets.

“The calendar is updated daily during the week, so we encourage residents to check it regularly to see when their next collection is,” said Jesa David, spokesperson for the Division. “As we start to see rainier weather and heavier leaf piles, the time between collections may be longer.”

Not all City residents receive leaf season service. Residents who live on a private street or who do not have a curb and/or gutter do not receive the service. Residents in apartment buildings of five units or more and commercial properties are not City customers and are not permitted to put out piles.

To confirm if you receive the service, check the Collection Calendar, and if a leaf season schedule appears at your address, your property receives the service. All residents will continue to receive weekly containerized organics collection during leaf season.

Here’s what residents can do to help the City of Sacramento’s leaf season collections:

• Fill your curbside container first before making a pile.
• Keep your pile within four by four by nine feet (4’ x 4’ x 9’) and six feet away from any obstructions. If the Claw can’t reach your pile due to an obstruction like a vehicle parked too close, it won’t be picked up.
• Try to keep leaf piles out of bike lanes and away from storm drains and maintain it to keep from spreading.
• Check the Collection Calendar to see when your next pickup day is estimated.

More information can be found at SacLeafSmart.org.