Leaf and yard waste pickup in Anne Arundel County.
Paper bags or a marked can, up to 40 pounds each, at the curb all year. Never plastic.
- Insured
- Locally owned
- Free estimates
The most one bag, can or bundle may weigh
40 pounds
at the county curb, for each paper bag, marked can or tied bundle.
- 6:00 a.m. on collection day is when it must be out. The night before is fine.
- No limit on how much yard waste goes out, all year round.
What are the yard waste and leaf pickup rules in Anne Arundel County?
Anne Arundel County collects leaves, grass and brush at the curb all year for most households, in paper yard waste bags or a rigid can marked with an X, not plastic bags. Each bag, can or bundle may weigh 40 pounds at most and must be out before 6:00 a.m. on collection day. We do fall leaf removal around Annapolis.
Sources: Anne Arundel County Bureau of Waste Management Services and Department of Health, checked October 8, 2026; City of Annapolis Public Works and Queen Anne's County Public Works, from their pages as published earlier in 2026.
Who takes what.
Taken at the county curb.
Leaves, grass clippings, brush and small branches, Christmas trees, wreaths and garland, and mulch in a hard can.
Not taken at the curb.
Tree stumps, sod and dirt, bamboo, lumber and pallets, pumpkins and food waste, and sweetgum gumballs.
Mulch goes out in a hard can.
Mark the can with an X; mulch never goes in a paper bag.
Christmas trees go out bare.
Only natural trees, with no lights, stand or tree bag. Cut a tall one in half.
Inside Annapolis city limits, the City collects.
A green City cart first, then paper bags, X-marked cans or 2 by 4 foot bundles, each under 50 pounds.
On Kent Island, the county transfer stations take it.
Queen Anne's County takes brush under 4 inches across and 6 feet long.
For the leaves themselves.
Fall Leaf removal
Fall leaf removal on its own, or added to your regular lawn care.
Guide Mulch leaves or rake them
When the mower can handle them, and when to clear.
Questions
Can I put leaves out in plastic bags?
No. The county stopped taking yard waste in plastic bags on January 3, 2017. Fabric bags, mesh bags, cardboard boxes and the county's yellow recycling carts are refused too. Use paper yard waste bags, or a metal or rigid plastic can with handles and an X on all sides.
Can you burn leaves in Anne Arundel County?
No. The county Department of Health says leaf burning is not allowed in the county, and points to yard waste pickup all year instead. A backyard fire pit is allowed for clean, natural wood, 1 cubic yard or less.
Who picks up yard waste at an Annapolis address?
It depends on the city line. Inside Annapolis city limits the City collects yard trim; its Public Works number is 410-263-7949. Outside the city, the county collects for most households. Call (410) 222-6100 on a weekday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., to find your collection day.
Is yard waste picked up on holidays?
Not on six of them: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. When your collection day lands on one, county pickup is delayed.
Where does yard waste go on Kent Island?
Kent Island is in Queen Anne's County, so Anne Arundel's rules do not apply there. Its transfer stations list yard waste as brush under 4 inches across and 6 feet long, and turn away stumps, dirt and mulch. Getting in takes a ticket book, sold only to county residents and property owners. On the island, the Batts Neck Transfer Station is at 422 Batts Neck Road in Stevensville.
Get a free estimate.
We do fall leaf removal around Annapolis and in Stevensville and Chester. Send the address, and tell us how much of the lawn the leaves cover.
