Leaf Vacuum Program

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Be aware of Leaf Vacuum Zone changes this fall. To find out which zone your reside in, visit our Zone Map and type in your address.

Despite advanced preparation; equipment breakdowns and weather can slow or end the program early.
Do not wait to rake. An early winter requires equipment and crews to be moved to snow removal.
Paper yard waste bags or City issued organics (Yard waste & food waste) carts can be used in addition to the Leaf Vacuum Program and will be collected on your regular curbside service day through year-round.
Residents can haul their leaves – for free – to the Landfill at 3900 Hebl Ave.

For efficient pick up, follow the tips on this page.

Watch a brief video to learn how to prepare your leaves for the leaf vacuum.

Latest schedule Nov. 15:

Scheduling information

Leaf vacuuming begins in mid-October, and will proceed in numerical order.
The process will repeat until the program ends in late November.
To see schedules indicating where crews will work over a five-day period, visit this page, follow the City of Iowa City on Facebook, and Nextdoor, or subscribe for e-mail updates on the E-subscriptions page. The schedule will be updated and posted daily on Nextdoor and icgov.org, and updated weekly on Facebook.
If you do not have direct access to the internet, call 319-356-5181.

Preparing

Rake leaves into a pile on the City right-of-way in front of your house, between the sidewalk and curb.
Piles should be no further than 5 ft. back from the curb, as the vacuum hose will not reach farther.
Combine your leaves into sizeable piles. It slows crews to have to work with many small piles.
The minimum size for one pile should be the equivalent of one paper yard waste bag.
Do not rake leaves into the street, as they may be washed into the storm sewer and can cause flooding.
Do not pile leaves around mailboxes and signposts, instead place the pile in an open area.

Parking

Cars parked on the street slow down leaf pick up. In areas where on-street parking is heavy, ‘No Parking’ signs will be posted while leaf crews are in the area.
If you live on a street with heavy parking and you wish to have signs placed, call the Streets Division at 319-356-5181 for review & consideration.
On streets where calendar parking is enforced, leaf vacuuming will occur on the side without parking.
Be considerate when parking on the street and avoid parking near leaf piles on pick up days.

Other Leaf Removal Options

The leaf vacuum is not the only leaf removal option in Iowa City. Residents can also:

Bag leaves in paper yard waste bags or place them in your organics (yard waste & food waste) cart.
- Bags will be collected on your regular curbside service day through January. More on the Organics (Food and Yard Waste) page.
- Unlimited bags can be placed at the curb.
Haul your leaves – for free – to the Commercial Compost Facility at the Iowa City Landfill and Recycling Center, 3900 Hebl Ave. SW
- Note, this service is not free for commercial customers.

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Iowa City, IA