Please don't make piles of leaves for the street sweeper

Published on November 30, 2024

Fall is here…which means more leaves and pine needles in the street. When a street sweeper hits a pile of tree debris that a resident has left behind, street sweepers can clog up and be unable to collect anything more. 

Also, when a sweeper operator sees a pile of debris up ahead they are trained to go around the pile in order to prevent the machine from clogging. We know that’s frustrating for residents…and we don’t want you to experience that.

Safety is also a concern, as it creates a hazard for street sweepers to drive through piles of leaves and pine needles. If there are rocks or other items in the pile that are not visible, they may fly out and cause damage to cars or even nearby house windows.

How you can help

• Please ask your gardener not to blow the leaves or needles onto the street.
• When tree debris falls on the street, please resist the temptation to sweep all those leaves or needles together in piles. Instead, allow the street sweeper to do their normal job. It may take more than one week to get all the leaves. Or, if the sweepers have time, they will try to make two passes on a street on one day to get as many leaves as possible.
• If you do sweep up the debris, put it in your green waste recycling bins. That’s the best and fastest way to clean your yard and street.
• Pick up tree limbs or branches that have fallen and place them in your green waste bin. Sweepers have to go around branches larger than about the size of half a person’s arm length. For large branches or those you can’t place in your own green waste bin, call the city at 562-866-9771, ext. 2140. 

When street sweepers run late

Also, during this heavy sweeping season, it’s possible that the sweepers may be running late for the time slot on your street. 

You will NOT receive a parking ticket after the posted time limit. But if it is possible for you to not park on the street until the sweeper has passed, it would be appreciated and will make for the cleanest possible sweep of your street.

With any questions or concerns about street sweeping in Lakewood, please feel free to contact Lakewood’s customer service team at 562-866-9771, ext. 2140 or Service1@lakewoodcity.org.