County Leaf Vacuum Program

The leaf vacuum collection district is bounded by I-495, I-270, the Rockville City limits, Norbeck, Bel Pre and Bonifant Roads, Northwest Branch Park, and the District of Columbia, City of Takoma Park, and Prince George's County boundaries.

The Leaf Collection Program will be conducted for approximately 6 to 8 weeks, and includes postings for 2 scheduled pick-ups. We will post green signs throughout the work areas several days before our crews' arrival. We will attempt to allow a weekend for residents to rake their leaves to the edge of the road for vacuum pick-up. Signs will be removed after our crews complete each street. The second and final fall collection will begin after Thanksgiving. The timing will depend on weather conditions. Red signs will indicate that this is the final collection. The same procedure of posting, collection, and sign removal is used for the final vacuum collection.

Leaves should be placed in piles or containers on the grass or behind the curb. Placing leaves in streets or alleys can disrupt traffic and surface drainage, hamper snow removal operations or pose a fire hazard to automobiles parked over them.

Collections are restricted to leaves only. Sticks, branches or coarse garden debris should be placed in containers or tied in bundles not more than four feet long and placed where household trash is regularly picked up.

Residents who miss the two scheduled vacuum collections will need to place their leaves in paper yard waste bags or reusable containers, which will be picked up on their regular yard waste collection day. Leaves placed in plastic bags will not be accepted.

The Department of Public Works and Transportation reminds residents that although every effort is made to maintain the posted schedules, weather and equipment problems may affect the timing.

• For information about the Vacuum Leaf Collection Program, contact the Highway Maintenance Section at 240-777-6000.
• Check the 2007 Vacuum Leaf  Collection  Weekly Updates
• Live outside the Vacuum Leaf Collection Area? Click here for information to get leaf collection in your neighborhood.
• For information about the Yard Waste Collection Program, contact the Division of Solid Waste at 240-777-6410.