Leaf Pickup and Yard Waste Rules

Leaf Pick Up and Yard Waste Guidelines

During fall leaf pick-up, the Rochester Street Department concentrates all of its efforts into picking up leaves. We have four machines operating; however, due to the age of the machines and the dusty conditions they operate in, it is difficult to keep all four of the machines on the street at all times.

The machines work together or at least in the same section of Rochester. This makes it easier for the public to know where the crews are working. Need to know when the crews will be in your neighborhood? Give us a call! As telephone calls are received, we will be able to give you a better idea as to when they may be on your street!

General Instruction for Leaf Pick-Ups

Crews will work the city from the West to the East. As they get to the East side of Lake Manitou, they will go back to the West side of Rochester and start over again. An exception to this is we will clean Main Street and East 9th Street on a daily basis. On Friday afternoons, Jefferson Street and Madison Street will be cleaned to get the majority of the churches and funeral homes for the weekend.

City crews will be working an extra hour each day during leaf season. This will continue thru the first week of November. They will also work a half day on Saturday, weather permitting. Leaf pick-up will continue into the winter as long as weather allows.

Tips to Help with Leaf and Yard Waste Pick-Up

Make a separate pile for weeds and plants from the garden. They do not go through either the leaf machine or the chipper.
It is not necessary to bag either leaves or grass clippings but if you do, paper bags must be used. The city will no longer pick up yard waste that is in plastic bags.
Place leaves in a row rather than a pile on the curb or in the lawn next to the street. Leaves do not have to be placed in the street. This will allow traffic to move freely and safely without having to drive thru the leaves. It is easier to pick-up the leaves if they are in a row along the curb rather than in a pile. If placed in a pile the truck has to back up several times until the complete pile is gone.
Tree limbs clog the leaf vacuum. The hose on the machine is 18 inches in diameter; sticks longer than 18 inches plug the hose. The problem usually occurs when the sticks are in the street and leaves are raked on top of them. If longer sticks are placed where they can be seen, this problem will be eliminated.
Please do not park on top of leaves. It is also very helpful and safer if vehicles are not parked on the piles. Please leave room for the leaf machine operator to get all the leaves that have been raked.