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.
This service is for customers who pay the additional fee for vacuum leaf collection service. All other Solid Waste Management Program customers not receiving vacuum leaf service should follow Curbside Yard Waste guidelines.
If you receive services from a PRIVATE collector, contact them directly for information.
The cost of the service is based on the assessed individual property value and billed as a separate item on the real estate tax bill. The current assessed rate is $0.012 per $100 of a home's assessed value. For example, a home assessed at $500,000 will pay $60 per year for vacuum leaf collection.
Look for yellow signs in your neighborhood they list the corresponding area. (These signs are posted prior to the start of collection.)
For additional information refer to the leaf collection brochure recently mailed to you.
That means that you should have your leaves raked or blown to the curb no later than November 7 because vacuum leaf collection trucks will start collecting leaves in your area on "November 8".
It is very difficult to predict when the heaviest fall of leaves will occur. In addition to weather, various issues can affect the collection schedule. As a result, we are not able to provide you with fixed dates.
Wait until the next collection in your neighborhood. Look for the posted signs for additional information. If you miss the third pick up for your area, you will need to follow your yard waste guidelines.
For guidance on how to request discontinuing your vacuum leaf service, visit Petition Process.
Report service issues or missed collections using the solid waste feedback form or call 703-802-3322, TTY 711.
