Leaf collection begins Nov. 3 in parts of Alexandria, according to mailers the city recently sent to residents outlining the fall vacuum program.
The city has divided Alexandria into five zones with staggered start dates running through late November. Each zone will receive three passes of leaf pickup through January 2026.
“Each pass can take several days,” the mailer states. “If no truck appears on day one, crews are working in another part of the zone.”
Zone-by-zone schedule
Leaf vacuuming start dates vary by location:
Zone 2 and Zone 5A begin Nov. 3, followed by Zone 3 and Zone 5B on Nov. 10. Zone 4 and Zone 5C start Nov. 17, while Zone 1 and Zone 5D begin Nov. 24.
City crews will post signs in each zone at least three days before collection begins, giving residents time to rake leaves to the curb. Updates will be available on the city website at alexandriava.gov/LeafCollection and through social media channels.
The mailer includes a color-coded map showing the five zones across the city, with Zone 5 further divided into four sub-zones labeled A through D.
What residents need to know
The city advises residents to place leaves at the curb before their zone’s scheduled pass begins, but not to put them out after a pass is completed or before the next scheduled date.
Residents should also avoid parking vehicles in front of leaf piles, the mailer states.
The city asks residents to contact Alex311 only if leaves are not collected after a pass is marked complete. Streets with missed collections will be notified and may need to wait until the next pass.
Year-round bagging option available
Residents who prefer not to wait for vacuum collection can use biodegradable paper bags for curbside pickup with regular trash service year-round.
Free paper bags became available Monday at several locations, including City Hall at 301 King St., multiple recreation centers and a solid waste leaf bag shed at 2900B Business Center Drive. The bags are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last, with a limit of 15 bags per household per visit.
Plastic bags, including biodegradable plastic, are not accepted and will be collected as trash rather than yard waste, according to the mailer.
Winter weather information also included
The mailer doubles as a winter preparedness guide, outlining the city’s three-level emergency classification system based on snowfall amounts.
Property owners, occupants, associations, and businesses must clear snow and ice from adjacent sidewalks, driveways, and entrances, with clearing timeframes ranging from 24 to 72 hours depending on weather severity.
The city’s Snow Buddies program, which matches volunteers with low-income, elderly and disabled residents who need snow removal assistance, is also detailed in the mailer. Information is available at volunteeralexandria.org.
The city maintains 561 lane miles of roadways, 20 miles of publicly owned sidewalks and paths, and 44 acres of municipal parking lots and publicly owned squares, according to the mailer.
