Fall brings changing colors and falling leaves throughout Los Banos. To help residents manage seasonal leaf accumulation and keep City streets and gutters clear, the City provides seasonal leaf removal services.
The City’s leaf removal program begins when the accumulation of leaves in the street becomes more than the regular street sweeping equipment can efficiently handle. During the first phase of the program, City crews use leaf vacuum equipment to collect leaves placed along the street.
How to Prepare Leaves for PickupLeaf vacuum equipment works most efficiently when leaves are raked into a long, narrow row, or windrow, along the street.
To help City crews safely and efficiently collect your leaves:
Leaves Only, Please
Leaf vacuum equipment is not designed to collect grass clippings, tree clippings or branches, garden clippings, vines, palm branches or other debris. These materials can clog the equipment and may prevent crews from collecting the pile.
Residential green waste, including leaves, may also be placed in your green waste container.
Placing prohibited debris in the street is a violation of local ordinances.
Leaf removal typically increases after the Thanksgiving weekend as seasonal leaf accumulation becomes heavier. With the onset of seasonal rains, residents can also help reduce the potential for street flooding by keeping leaves from accumulating in gutters.
During rainy weather, rake leaf piles at least a couple of feet away from the curb whenever possible. Leaves that collect in gutters can restrict the flow of rainwater and increase the likelihood of water pooling or flooding in the street. Wet, saturated leaves are also more difficult for leaf vacuum equipment to collect.
During leaf removal season, the Street Services Division works to stay one step ahead of the City’s regular street sweeping rotation. Crews move throughout the community collecting leaf piles and will continue the seasonal program into the new year until leaf accumulation returns to a level that can be handled by regular street sweeping equipment.
If you rake your leaves after crews have already passed through your area, don’t worry. Crews will return as they continue their rotation, although they may not return the same day.
Residents can help crews work efficiently by keeping vehicles away from leaf piles and giving City equipment and employees plenty of room to safely perform their work.
Leaf Pickup Safety
Please remind children that leaf piles in the street are not safe places to play. City crews operate large equipment to collect leaves, and children may be difficult for equipment operators to see when playing in or around leaf piles.
For questions or comments about the City’s seasonal leaf removal program, contact the Public Works Operations Office.