Vancouver leaf collection and cleanup rules: 2026 guide

Choose the leaf destination before cleanup starts

Separate leaves that can stay in suitable garden beds from material that will go into a green bin, approved paper bags or bins for extra collection, or a provider’s lawful hauling plan. The chosen destination changes how the crew gathers and stages the material.

Keep paper bags dry before the collection date and do not use plastic bags, including products labelled compostable or biodegradable. If a provider will haul the material, confirm the destination rather than allowing an unmarked pile to remain at the curb.

Define the whole cleanup area

A good leaf cleanup request maps the property instead of asking for a generic visit. Photos help providers judge the volume and access, but the final scope should still identify every included area.

• Lawn, beds, paths, stairs, patios and driveway
• Boulevard and sidewalk areas the homeowner maintains
• Catch-basin surface debris that is safe and legal to clear
• Bagging, green-bin loading, hauling and disposal
• Wet or compacted piles and difficult access
• Leaf blower restrictions, noise windows and preferred service time
• Photos, postal code, urgency and whether follow-up visits are needed

Use Vancouver collection correctly

The City says leaves and other yard trimmings can go into residential green bins year-round. For extra seasonal collection, use the current VanCollect schedule for the address. The City instructs residents to use paper bags or store-bought bins up to 100 litres, keep paper bags dry and avoid plastic bags, including products labelled compostable or biodegradable.

Collection dates change by year and zone, so a provider should not rely on an old calendar. If leaves will be hauled away instead, confirm where the material goes and whether disposal charges are included.

Keep leaves away from streets and drains

The City says never to rake or blow leaves onto catch basins, streets, sidewalks or bike lanes. Wet leaf piles can create slipping, visibility and flooding hazards.

For a catch basin, use a long-handled rake, broom or shovel rather than bare hands. Stay out of traffic and do not handle needles, broken glass, dead wildlife or other hazardous material. Report hazards and non-emergency flooding through Van311.

Check leaf blower rules before the visit

Leaf blowers are prohibited in Vancouver’s West End. Elsewhere, the City limits operating hours based on the day and distance from a residence. A provider should confirm the address and permitted window before arriving.

A rake, broom or vacuum attachment may be the better scope in restricted areas, near neighbours or where noise is a concern. The work plan should not assume equipment that cannot legally be used at the property.

Turn one cleanup into a useful fall sequence

One early cleanup may be followed by another heavy leaf drop. Properties under mature trees often benefit from a planned sequence: clear access routes and drainage before prolonged rain, collect the main leaf drop, then perform a final pass where needed.

Hey Castor can coordinate leaf cleanup with gutters, catch-basin checks and other agreed fall work. The provider confirms the property-specific scope and schedule before service.