Last Updated: 2011-11-01

picture of a street sweeper

The Department of Public Works Division of Environmental Maintenance sweeps and flushes the city's streets. We recognize the importance of this task, both to our customers and the environment.

Each year, as approximately 22,000 lane-miles of streets are swept, tons of debris are kept from entering the stormwater system and, subsequently, our local waterways. Due to the nature of our equipment, only streets with curbs and gutters are routinely swept. Following are some additional points to keep in mind about street sweeping:

  • Obstacles in the sweeper's path hinder its operation. Items such as refuse containers, bikes, portable basketball goals, and piles of yard debris should be moved during sweeping periods.

  • "No Parking" signs must be obeyed. Vehicles blocking the path of the sweepers will be towed.

  • The sweeping schedule may be affected by adverse weather, equipment failure, or other unforeseen events.

2012 Residential Street Sweeping Schedule

Permanently signed streets will continue to be swept. All other residential street sweeping with resume in the spring. A new schedule will be posted at that time.

Route Area Date
1 Fulton/Church Hill 06/04-06/08, 09/03-09/07
2 Church Hill 06/11-06/15, 09/10-09/14
3 Highland Park 04/16-04/20, 07/23-07/27
4 Northside/Ginter Park 6/25-6/29, 09/24-09/28
5 Bellevue/Sherwood Park/Washington Park 06/18-06/22, 09/17-09/21
6 Lower West End 04/09-04/13, 07/16-07/20
7 Far West End 07/02-07/06, 10/01-10/05
8 Bainbridge/Bellemeade/Davee Gardens 05/14-05/18, 08/13-08/17
9 Woodland Heights/Swansboro/Westover Hills 05/21-06/01, 08/20-08/31
10 Downtown/Carver/Newtowne/Millie Jones 04/02-04/06, 07/09-07/13
11 The Fan 04/30-05/04, 07/30-08/03
12 Museum District 05/07-05/11, 08/06-08/10
13 Neighborhood Subdivisions 04/23-04/27, 07/23-07/27

Leaf Collection

  • 2012 - 2013 Vacuum Leaf Collection schedule will be posted in November 2012

    • Vacuum Leaf Collection Program Guidelines

    picture of men collecting leaves
    • Rake leaves to your property line.
    • Do not rake leaves into the street.
    • Leaves must be placed out for collection by the start date indicated for your route.
    • Keep leaf piles less than 2 feet in height.
    • Keep leaves away from ditches, pipes, and culverts.
    • NO DIRT, ROCKS, METAL OR BRANCHES. These items will prevent crews from collecting your piles.

    "Bag-n-Go"

    Please remember, you don't have to use vacuum service or wait for your scheduled collection to get rid of your leaves. Just put your bagged leaves near the curb, preferably in biodegradable lawn and leaf bags. Here's why we recommend biodegradable bags.

    • They're more environmentally friendly and can be recycled, right along with the leaves.
    • We'll pick up as many as 25 bags every week all year on your regular trash collection day.
    • We'll pick up as many bags as you put near the curb during your leaf collection cycle.

    Please understand, bad weather can adversely affect our leaf collection schedule. This includes not only rainy weather, but snow as well. We have to put our snow removal equipment on the same vehicles that collect the leaves.

    Keep in mind, the city of Richmond strongly urges that you use bags.

    If you want to dispose of your bagged or loose leaves yourself, you may take them to the following locations.

    • East Richmond Road Convenience Center
      3800 East Richmond Road at Jennie Scher Road Map It

    • The "Powerline"
      8600 Huguenot Rd. at NW corner of Chippenham Parkway Map It

    • Maury Street Landfill
      2900 Maury St. Map It

    To make sure your leaves get recycled, do NOT include items other than leaves in the bags.

    Backyard Composting

    Though not an actual city service, we do advocate backyard composting as the most efficient and environmentally sound disposal option. Contact the Clean City Commission for details.

    Special Collections

    For those in a hurry, we can schedule special collections for a $75 fee.

    Disclaimer

    Please understand, bad weather can adversely affect our leaf collection schedule. This means not only when it rains, but when it snows because we have to put our snow removal equipment on the same vehicles that pick up the leaves.

    For up-to-date information or schedule changes, call our Leaf Hotline at (804)646-LEAF (5323). If you have questions, please call the city's Customer Care Center at 3-1-1 or send an e-mail to Ask Public Works.

    Contact Information:

    Dept of Public Works
    City of Richmond
    900 E. Broad St., Suite 704
    Richmond, VA
    23219 USA
    Map It
    Hours: Monday -Friday
    8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    Customer Care Center: 3-1-1

    311

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    If you have any questions, please call the City’s Customer Care Center at 3-1-1 or (804) 646-7000

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