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Leaf Collection

What is the process for loose leaf collection?

Vacuum machines collect loose leaves from mid-October until around mid-March only. Leaves will need to be bagged for collection during other times. Bagged leaves are collected on your regular yard waste collection day (the same day as trash collection).

During loose-leaf collection season (mid-October to mid-March), residents are asked to have all loose leaves raked to the curb by Monday morning of your collection week to be ensured they are collected by Friday. Pile leaves no more than five feet deep from the curb, up to any height, and at least three feet away from anything else. During this time, you may call (704) 638-5260 about scheduled collection in your neighborhood, or look for a schedule in your monthly billing notice.

2025-26 Leaf Map - English (PDF)

2025-26 Leaf Map - Spanish (PDF)
Leaf Collection Guidelines Infographic

Interactive Loose Leaf Collection Map:

With this custom application, citizens can enter their address in the Find Address box to find out when their leaf collection day occurs for their address.

 

Screenshot of Loose Leaf Collection Map application

Yard Waste Collection

What is the definition of yard debris?

Yard debris consists of limbs, grass and shrubbery clippings, leaves, and all vegetation from lawns and gardens. Do not set out piles of dirt for collection.

How should yard debris be placed on the curb for collection?

Yard Waste Inforgraphic (PDF)

Limbs should be cut into 6-foot lengths or shorter and stacked neatly at the curb, away from water meters, fire hydrants, utility poles, and guy wires. Do not mix other debris with limbs.

Hedge, shrubbery cuttings and vines will be collected at no charge provided that such cuttings do not exceed one hundred (100) pounds in weight and are placed in boxes or other containers suitable for handling. Limbs and large cuttings that cannot be bagged or boxed will be collected provided they do not exceed six (6) feet in length, and eight (8) inches in diameter. These limbs and large cuttings shall be placed on the front of the lot with the large ends of each limb facing the street. Limbs and cuttings exceeding one and one-half (1½) tons by volume will be assessed a ($75.00) fee per load.

It shall be unlawful to dump, throw, or otherwise discard grass cuttings, leaves, yard rakings, limbs, trash or rubbish into the streets or upon the paved or established sidewalks of the city.

Property or homeowners are responsible for removing tree stumps, tree trunks and all limbs that are greater than eight (8) inches in diameter and six (6) feet in length.

All other yard debris must be bagged and placed on the curb, separated from curbside trash, household garbage and recycling materials. Do not put yard debris in your green roll out container.

When is yard debris collected and how often?

Once each week on the same day that garbage and recycling materials are collected. Have it on the curb by 7:00 a.m.

Are there exceptions and/or restrictions to the collection schedule?

YES. Large piles of limbs will be collected by special equipment. This type collection may vary from your weekly schedule.

Is there a limit to the amount of limbs that are collected each week?

Each residence will receive up to one collection of limbs per week. Residential service is designed to assist homeowners in disposing of reasonable amounts of limbs and yard debris weekly

Bulky Item Pickup

What are the standards for roll outs, bulky items and yard waste?

  • All items left outside of City issued rollouts will be considered bulky.

  • To ensure collection of bulky Items on your trash collection day, items must be scheduled and payment handled no later than 2:30 pm the day before their scheduled collection day. Any bulk pickups scheduled after 2:30 PM will be picked up the following week.

  • Bulky items can be scheduled for collection in person, Monday through Friday, between 8:00 AM and 2:30 PM, at the Public Works Administration Building, located at 303 W Franklin St, Salisbury, NC 28144. Bulky items pickup can also be schedule over the phone by calling (704) 638-5260, option 5, option 1, option 5. We accept Visa, and MasterCard for payment. Please note that Discover, American Express and checks by phone are not accepted currently.
  • Limits to yard waste collection – One truckload per week.
  • Place acceptable, scheduled bulk items at the curb no later than 7:00 am on your REGULAR TRASH DAY
  • Bulky items will be collected on the same day as your regular collection services. They are collected by a different truck than your regular trash rollout.

What are the fees for waste collection?

Two bulky items ($5 for each additional bulk item - $10 minimum) $10
Each bag or box $2.50
Bulk Brush Removal Minimum Charge (applies to loads over a truck load) $75

Charges for specific cases will be calculated by Public Services Director or designee based on site visit.
All fees must be paid in advance of service.

What is and isn't accepted in garbage bins?

ACCEPTABLE ITEMS:

  • Extra bags, boxes, and bins of household items, trash, clothes, etc.
  • Furniture (couches, love seats, dressers, recliners, chairs, tables, regular furniture)
  • Mattresses and Box Springs – all sizes
  • Old appliances
  • Miscellaneous items such as treadmills, exercise equipment, bicycles, vacuums, lamps, artificial Christmas trees
  • Lawn mowers are accepted - must be drained of all fuel
  • Grills are accepted - must have gas tanks removed

UNACCEPTABLE ITEMS:

  • We are unable to collect any type of building materials (paint, lumber, sheet rock, carpet, padding, large area rugs, shingles, toilets, sinks, windows, doors). Contact Rowan County Landfill at (704) 278-2211.
  • We are unable to collect TVs, computers, or electronics or hazardous items - Contact Rowan County Recycling Center at (704) 216-8589 (CALL FIRST about hazardous items, paints, oils, gas, liquids of any kind).
  • We are unable to collect pianos or hospital beds

What are Spruce Up Weeks?

The City of Salisbury provides Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter Spruce Up weeks to citizens allowing them to rid their homes of extra trash and household items at NO CHARGE.

For more information, check out www.salisburync.gov/SpruceUp.

Dead Animal Pickup

City provides dead animal pickup in city limits.

The City of Salisbury will pick up dead animals in the city rights-of-way and streets within the city limits of Salisbury.

Please call (704) 638-5260 for collection.

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