What to know about leaf clean-up in Salem this fall

Whitney Woodworth, Salem Statesman Journal
·2 min read
Fall leaves show off bright colors at Bush's Pasture Park in early November.
Fall leaves show off bright colors at Bush's Pasture Park in early November.

With Salem's autumn colors falling to the ground and littering sidewalks, streets and lawns, Salem residents are urged to clean up leaves on their property to avoid clogged storm drains and flooding.

Leaves also can get into streams, lead to nutrient overload and reduce oxygen for aquatic life.

Salem Revised Code requires all residents to remove leaves that fall naturally on their property and within the right-of-way behind the curb.

Residents are prohibited from blowing or raking leaves into the street, which could cause problems during heavy rain.

The City of Salem is responsible for leaves that fall in the street.

Street sweeper schedules and maps are available online for residents to see when to expect street sweepers to clean their block.

Users can enter their address and use the color code to identify routes that are:

  • being swept today (orange)

  • being swept tomorrow (blue)

  • paused (violet)

  • being visited by the leaf crew today (green)

  • being visited by the leaf crew tomorrow (pink)

  • not scheduled for today or tomorrow (white)

Residents needing to clean up their leaves can put them in their yard debris bin, compost them at home or take them to the annual Fall Leaf Haul at Brown’s Island Demolition Landfill at 2895 Faragate St. S on Nov. 20 and Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for free.

Residents also can drop off grass clippings and tree limbs. Because this event is for residents only, organizers can’t accept leaves, grass clippings or tree limbs from commercial landscapers.

Bagging leaves is not required, and those who do bag are asked to consider paper leaf bags.

Senior citizens or those with disabilities in need of assistance hauling bagged leaves and grass to the collection site may call 503‑589‑2195 or email cwildman@cityofsalem.net

For questions, comments and news tips, email reporter Whitney Woodworth at wmwoodworth@statesmanjournal.com, call 503-910-6616 or follow on Twitter @wmwoodworth

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Salem leaf clean-up 2021: What you need to know this autumn