Burlington homeowners with a yard full of fallen leaves have a date to plan around: the City's loose-leaf collection program starts on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026.
Crews won't reach every street at once. Each collection zone gets a single pick-up week, so when you rake depends on where you live. Check which week is yours before you start.
The City says to rake leaves to the edge of the curb or roadway in a loose pile, no more than two days before your pick-up date. No bags are needed for this program; the leaves go out loose.
Where that pile ends up matters. In 2025, the City amended its Lot Maintenance By-law to include fines for leaves placed in a way that blocks sidewalks or bike lanes, or creates a flooding hazard. A pile that spills across the sidewalk or into a bike lane, or one that could cause flooding, could bring a fine.
What goes in the pile matters too: leaves mixed with debris and branches will not be collected.
Weather could change the plan. The City says freezing rain or snow can delay the program or even cancel it. If collection is delayed or cancelled, residents can call 905-335-7777 for updated information.
Once the program is over, any leaves still on the ground should go in yard-waste bags for Halton Region's curbside collection.
