Leaves piling up? What Vancouver residents need to know about leaf collection

The millions of leaves blanketing Metro Vancouver streets usually make a beautiful seasonal display. But with a series of rainstorms drenching B.C.’s South Coast, the picturesque streets can quickly turn into a soggy, slippery mess.

Many municipalities are ramping up seasonal leaf collection programs and reminders for residents to do their part.

Leaves that accumulate on sidewalks and streets can pose a hazard to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, while leaves around catch basins and storm drains can also obstruct the flow of water, causing pooling and localized flooding.

Different cities tackle leaf collection differently.

Some cities, like Surrey, allow residents to put out additional yard waste alongside their regular green carts for collection.

Others offer a period of free yard-waste collection.

Coquitlam, for example, offers six weeks of unlimited yard-waste collection twice a year, allowing residents to put out extra leaves, grass clippings and branches for pickup at no additional cost.

Vancouver, on the other hand, offers additional leaf collection on one weekend a month, giving residents an opportunity to dispose of leaves that won’t fit in their regular green bins.

In 2021, Vancouver collected more than 1,000 tonnes of seasonal organics, including leaves and Christmas trees. It also collected more than 6,400 tonnes from citywide street leaf sweeping. More updated figures from 2025 note that the city collected 815 tonnes of leaves through the city’s residential leaf bag fall collection.

Here’s what Vancouver residents need to know about handling the green (and yellow, red and brown) stuff:

Unlike snow removal, Vancouver homeowners aren’t required to clear fallen leaves from sidewalks bordering their properties.

However, the city encourages residents and businesses to rake leaves from sidewalks and boulevards and to keep nearby storm drains clear.

Residents shouldn’t rake or blow leaves onto streets or sidewalks. Doing so may result in a fine.

Leaves can be disposed of in green bins as part of the city’s weekly collection

For extra leaves that don’t fit, residents can use paper yard-waste bags and put them out for collection on designated extra leaf pickup weekends.

Residents can also drop off leaves and yard trimmings at the Vancouver South transfer station or the Vancouver landfill in Delta. Disposal fees apply.

There are also ways to put fallen leaves to good use around the yard: Leaves can be used for compost or as mulch in garden beds to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect plants from the winter cold.