Leaf Collection

Guidelines
1. Separate loose leaves, bagged leaves, brush, and bulky items.  These materials are collected, processed, and disposed of differently.
2. Move loose leaves, and bagged leaves, and brush as close to the curb edge of the pavement as possible, but avoid placing the materials in the street or co-mingling materials. 
3. Avoid raking leaves into ditches.  Doing so can cause flooding problems and have a negative impact on water quality.
4. Avoid raking leaves into the street.  Doing so can cause drainage problems and lead to hazardous driving conditions when leaves become wet.
5. Consider backyard composting. Composting is great for your lawn and for the environment.

6. Loose leaf collection begins the first week in November every year and will conclude the last week in March of the following year.

You can view your service area by entering your address at https://bit.ly/3IZDvZ5.   Additionally, neighborhood signs will be posted at major intersections within that week's service area

Update on Loose Leaves Collection

• Department of Public Works will begin area collection of loose leaves from residents beginning Monday, November 6, 2023, until Friday, March 29, 2024.
• Area collection will start on Monday, November 6, 2023, and will run for 3 CONSECUTIVE WEEKS for Area 1 initially - and run bi-weekly after for all areas until the end of February.  See the schedule below.
• In order to have loose leaves collected:
  • Place loose leaves separately from any bagged leaves, bagged yard waste, brush, and bulky items.
  • Place loose leaf piles as close to the curb edge as possible.
  • Do not place loose leaf piles in the street or in a ditch.
  • In order to prevent flooding do not place leaves over storm drains, catch basins, or curb inlets.
• Loose leaves Collection schedules may be impacted by leaf volume, weather conditions, mechanical issues, or other operational challenges.

We will begin the 2023/24 Loose Leaves Collection in the following areas and on the following dates:

• Area 1: Lookout Valley, St Elmo, Alton Park, East Lake  (Blue)

November  6 - November 22, January 8 - January 19, March 4 - March 8

• Area 2: North Chattanooga, Hixson  (Green)

November 27 - December 8, January 22 - February 2, March 11 - March 15

• Area 3: Brainerd, East Chattanooga  (Yellow)

December 11 - December 21, February 5 - February 16, March 18 - March 22

• Area 4: East Brainerd, Highway 58 (Orange)

December 26 - January 5, February 19 - March 1, March 25 - March 29

This is how to set out your loose leaves:

• Piles should be positioned as close as possible to a public street in front of the residence without blocking the roadway, sidewalks, drainage ditches, or catch basins.

To see a full list of guidelines, visit our website at https://chattanooga.gov/public-works/city-wide-services/brush-collection

View our press release here for November 1, 2023

About The City of  Chattanooga Department of Public Works

The Department of Public Works consists of several divisions including: Street Maintenance Division, Street and Traffic Division, Engineering Division, Development Review and Permitting Division, Stormwater Division, and Wastewater Division. The Department is responsible for planning, developing, and maintaining the City's infrastructure, treating wastewater, and collecting solid waste and materials for recycling.