County staff has postponed a formal proposal to discontinue vacuum leaf service after the 2023-2024 season. After conducting an online survey in August 2023 for the public to solicit input on the staff proposal, results revealed that most residents who receive the service wish to keep it. As a result, the proposal, which was submitted to the Board of Supervisors in September 2023 has been postponed.
Staff will be reviewing alternatives to the current service model and will communicate updates as appropriate.
Due to the postponement, Fairfax County will continue to vacuum leaves for the 5% of county residences, approximately 25,000 households, that currently receive the service. Residents who choose to do so can voluntarily withdraw from the service via the petition process.
In lieu of leaf collection, residents may utilize alternative approaches:
Residents can hire a contractor to provide vacuum leaf service.
Residents can manage leaves onsite through mulching or backyard composting.
Residents can set out leaves as yard waste, a service included in existing residential trash collection service offerings. Seasonal vacuum leaf service is not necessary to maintain healthy trees, has negative environmental impacts, detracts from the County’s core residential trash collection service, and creates public safety challenges. However, results from an online survey conducted by DPWES indicated most respondents were in favor of keeping the service and many current customers needed more information about alternative leaf management methods. Thus, the staff recommendation to stop the service is on hold, and there will be no public hearing to discuss the matter this calendar year.
Yellow vacuum leaf collection signs will be posted in participating neighborhoods. Please scan the QR Code on the sign to access the vacuum leaf website. Please have your leaves raked to the curbside by the date stated in the schedule for your area.
*DISCLAIMER:Specific collection dates are difficult to project as they are affected by weather, rate of leaf-drop and other various factors. Dates will be posted and updated on this website and neighborhood signs, as soon as they are determined. Thank you for your patience.
Vacuum Leaf Collection Service Area Map
Fairfax County provides vacuum leaf collection services in some areas. Not all county collection customers are subscribers. To find out if your residence is served, view the service area map.
