Wondering when leaf collection will happen in your neighborhood? Use the Leaf Tracker at the top of this page to find your collection section based on your address.

To stay updated on when to rake out, take the following steps:

• Download the MyDPW app from the Apple App Store or Google Play
• Subscribe to the DPW Stakeholder Newsletter
• Call the Leaf Line at (202) 671-LEAF (5323)
• Follow us on social media:
  • X: @dcdpw
  • Instagram: @dcdpw
  • Facebook: DC Department of Public Works
• The top of this page also shows which areas are currently being serviced.

The Leaf Collection Map displays raking sections across Wards 1 through 8. Each ward includes sections labeled A through D. For example, residents in Section A, regardless of Ward, will rake their leaves out on the same day.

Section A November 2 – November 15

Section B November 16 – November 29

Section C November 30 – December 13

Section D December 14 – December 28

Leaf collection will occur twice in each section. Estimated completion dates for the 2026–2027 Leaf Collection Program are shown above for the first pass. The second pass will take place after the first is complete and as weather permits.

Each Friday, DPW will post a message for residents explaining when they should rake their leaves based on the sections scheduled for collection in the upcoming week. Stay informed by checking the following platforms for updates and the leaf collection map:

• X: @dcdpw
• Instagram: @dcdpw
• Facebook: DC Department of Public Works
• Our Newsletter
• Apple App Store or Google Play Store
• Call the Leaf Line at (202) 671-LEAF (5323)
• The top of this page will also display current collection areas.

On the Sunday before your scheduled collection week, please rake leaves into the treebox. If your property does not have a treebox, place the leaves at the curb directly in front of your home. Leaves placed in paper bags and set at the curb or treebox will also be picked up during our collection pass.

Bagging: only leaves in paper bags will be accepted. Plastic bags cannot be composted and will not be collected.

Leaf collection can be disrupted due to the following:

Weather events or unexpected operation modifications: When snow, freezing rain, or ice is forecast, the District Snow Team mobilizes to pre-treat our streets and then spread salt as needed. This may require switching DPW equipment and crews from leaf collection duties to snow duties, which may unfortunately, cause leaf collection delays.

Holidays: Leaves will not be collected on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Residents should look out for the weekly messaging on when to rake out leaves during holiday weeks.

If your street has not been serviced after DPW announces that crews have moved on to the next section, please call 311 (202-737-4404) or visit 311.dc.gov to open a “Leaf Collection Missed” service request.

1. Which residences does DPW service?

As defined by District of Columbia law, residences serviced by DPW are single-family homes and apartment buildings containing three or fewer residential housing units. These residences will receive leaf collection services from DPW. 

2. What do I do if I’m not in a DPW-serviced residence? 

Apartment building residents should speak with building management about procuring a company to remove their leaves.

3. Is leaf collection in the front or rear of my home? 

Leaves are collected at the front of residences. Please rake leaves into your tree box or at the curb, if there is no tree box.  

4. What is a tree box? 

Tree boxes are public spaces (usually box-shaped) that surround trees and other plants at the front of private property. Residents are responsible for keeping the tree boxes in front of their homes in clean and safe condition. 

5. Will bagged leaves be collected? 

Yes. Bagged leaves will be collected along with loose leaves when crews service your block. Place the bags at the curb or in the tree box area, the same location where loose leaves should be raked, by Sunday before your scheduled collection week begins. If bagging, only leaves in paper bags will be accepted. Plastic bags cannot be composted and will not be collected. If paper-bagged leaves are missed during the Leaf Collection season, please submit a 311 request for yard waste. Both bagged and loose leaves will be picked up when DPW crews are collecting in your section. 

6. What do I do if all my leaves are in my backyard? 

The crew dedicated to your area will only collect leaves from the curb and tree boxes in the front of the property. Leaves must be collected and placed in the nearest tree box for DPW pickup. 

7. Can I just rake my leaves into the street? 

No. Piles of leaves in the street are a fire hazard and create parking and traffic issues. Only leaves left at the curb or in the tree box will be collected. 

8. Why can’t leaves be raked into storm drains? 

Leaves can clog storm drains, cause street flooding, and eventually pollute the Chesapeake Bay and other local waterbodies. Proper leaf collection and disposal are important practices that help make our rivers and streams healthy. 

9. What will DPW do if piles of leaves on our street blow into the storm drain or are washed there during a rainstorm? 

Please report piles of leaves in storm drains by calling 311 or by contacting DC Water at 202-727-2000.  

10. Can I rake yard waste into the tree box for collection? 

No, only leaves will be collected. To schedule yard waste pickup, submit a 311 request, and a DPW team will come collect it.   

11. Who collects the leaves in the alley? 

According to city sanitation regulations, property owners are responsible for maintaining the public space immediately adjacent to their properties. If your property borders an alley, please include those leaves for collection in front of the property.  

12. Do I have to rake my leaves again if they blow away or have seeped into the ground because of a storm? 

Yes. DPW will only collect leaves left in the tree box or at the curb. To find your collection week so you can plan when to rake, visit dpw.dc.gov and follow DPW on social media. 

13. Has the leaf collection schedule changed? 

DPW will not publish the full collection schedule in advance; however, approximate dates are given on the mailed brochures. Each resident will be given two weekends' notice before DPW reaches their area. Residents are asked to check the DPW website, social media, and/or subscribe to the MyDPW App to learn where collection will occur for the upcoming week. In addition, DPW has a leaf collection line that residents can call for updates at 202-671-LEAF.  

14. How do I find out when my leaves will be collected? 

Follow DPW on social media and visit dpw.dc.gov to find out when your leaves will be collected. Once on the website, enter your address to find out when we will collect leaves on your street. While you’re there, download the MyDPW App for reminders about the leaf collection program.  Brochures including an overview of the leaf collection program will be mailed to each DPW-serviced household before the program starts, and residents can also call our leaf collection line at 202-671-LEAF. 

15. What day during my collection week should I bag my leaves?  

Please rake your leaves and place them at the curb or in the tree box on the Sunday before your collection week. There is no need to bag your leaves; simply raking them to the curb/tree box will suffice.  

16. When will my leaves be collected if my street borders more than one collection area? 

Each District Ward is divided into four areas. Visit the DPW website and click the link to enter your address to find out when we will collect on your street. Residents who live on boundary streets may see crews making collections on one side of their street but not the opposite side because that area is on a different schedule, but each section will get two passes of leaf collection during the season.  

17. How do I find out if the schedule has changed for my street?  

Sign up for alerts on the MyDPW App or check our website at dpw.dc.gov for the latest information on our leaf collection program. You can also call our leaf line at 202-671-LEAF.  

18. What causes a disruption in the schedule? 

Weather events and personnel changes can cause delays to leaf collection. Each time snow or freezing rain and ice is forecasted, our DC Snow Team hits the streets to salt and pre-treat roads. This necessitates switching our equipment and crews from leaf collection duties to snow duties, which may cause delays.  

19. What should I do if my street is not collected on schedule? 

Leaves must be raked to the curb/tree box the Sunday before DPW crews collect in your section. If your leaves were raked to the curb/tree box and DPW missed your collection, please call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to open a “Leaf Collection (Missed)” service request. Leaves that were raked after DPW crews collected in your area do not qualify for a missed leaf collection service request.  

20. Can I bring my leaves to a transfer station? 

If preferred, residents can also bring leaves to the Fort Totten Transfer Station at 4900 McCormack Rd, NW 20011, Tuesdays-Fridays from 10 am-2 pm and Saturdays from 7 am-2 pm.  

21. When can I expect to have my leaves collected once a service request has been submitted? 

Leaf collection teams have eight (8) days to collect leaves after a service request has been placed. Please note that leaves must be raked on the Sunday prior to DPW crews arriving in your section. If your leaves aren’t raked before our crews collect, we cannot come back to get them.  

22. What should I do if I see piles of leaves out on my street after the collection has already happened? 

Please call 311 to place a service request for “Leaf Collection (Missed)” 72 hours after DPW has announced your section has been completed. Please do not place a service request until after DPW crews have left your collection area. 

23. How should I dispose of non-leaf organic material (like branches, grass, ginkgo berries, etc.)?  

Please submit a 311 “Scheduled Yard Waste” service request.

24. Will my leaves be recycled? 

Yes, leaves that are raked and left at the curb or in the tree box will be composted. DPW composts between 5,000 and 7,000 tons of leaves each year. Free compost is available to DC residents year-round at the Fort Totten Transfer Station.