City by-law officers will be enforcing the City of Toronto by-law that relates to the use of streets and
sidewalks. Raking leaves onto the roadway is a by-law offence and could result in charges being laid. It is
an offence to store, place or dispose of material, including fallen leaves in such a way that it may enter
onto a street by any means, including wind or water. In addition, raking, blowing, placing or dumping
leaves onto City property (sidewalk, roadway, catch basins, etc.,) can create dangerous conditions, cause
flooding on the roadways or on property or cause accidents.
COLLECTION CALENDAR
Here’s how to put leaves out for collection: Use reusable containers (any rigid open-top container such as
a garbage can, bushel basket, green plastic yard waste bin– no lids) or kraft paper yard waste bags. Put
leaves at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled yard waste collection day. Check your collection
calendar for your yard waste collection schedule and more helpful hints. Sorry, no plastic bags: The City
does not collect leaves and yard waste in clear plastic bags or Halloween-themed plastic bags. (If you use
these decorative bags, please empty the contents into one of the approved containers listed above before
placing out for collection. Ways to reduce the amount of leaves you put at the curb for collection: Feed
leaves to your backyard composter now, plus stockpile leaves to add as dry material during the winter.
Here’s what the City collects as yard waste: Leaves, plant/tree trimmings, weeds and brush. Branches
measuring less than three inches or 7.5 cm in diameter should be tied in bundles no longer than 4 feet or
1.2 min length and 2 feet or 0.6 m in diameter. Pumpkins and waste fruit from trees in your yard are also
accepted. Sorry, we can’t accept: Soil, sod, grass clippings, logs or tree stumps. For more information on
yard waste, please call 311 or visit us at www.toronto.ca/compost/yardwaste.htm If you have any
questions about the service, call 311