Local service guide
Yard Cleanup in Cedar Rapids, IA: Plan the Job
Arrange Yard Cleanup by deciding whether the crew should prepare debris for city collection or haul it away, then request a written quote for that scope. For fall 2026, Cedar Rapids schedules leaf vacuum collection from October 26 through December 3. If you choose curbside preparation, coordinate the cleanup with your quadrant’s collection day and require the crew to separate leaves from sticks. [2]
Define the cleanup before asking for a price
Describe the work by area: lawn, planting beds, fence lines, patio edges, and any existing debris piles. Specify whether you want leaf removal, hand weeding, fallen-twig pickup, or cutting back plants. Mark plants you want the crew to preserve and identify any areas you want left untouched.
Send photographs of the whole yard, the largest piles, and the route from the yard to the loading area. Include gate access and any steps the crew must use. Ask the contractor to confirm the scope after reviewing the site rather than relying on a service label such as full cleanup.
Write down the completion standard. A useful agreement states which areas the crew will clear, where debris will go, and whether the crew will sweep paved surfaces afterward. Separate tree cutting, stump removal, and chemical treatments from the cleanup request so you can review each proposed task.
Choose curbside preparation or complete haul-away
Choose curbside preparation if you can leave the sorted material for collection and coordinate the work with city rules. Choose haul-away if your priority is removing the debris when the crew finishes. Ask for both options if you have not decided, with the hauling charge shown as a separate item.
The city accepts leaves, grass clippings, and sticks or twigs up to 5 inches in diameter in YARDY. Close the cart lid and leave 3 feet between the cart and obstacles, including other containers. For brush that will not fit, ask the crew to prepare compliant bundles beside the cart. [1]
Use paper leaf bags for overflow during the spring or fall leaf vacuum collection periods. The city requires you to fill YARDY first and place the bags at the curb with the filled cart. Keep each bag below 40 pounds. Do not arrange an out-of-season bagging job on the assumption that the city will collect the bags. [1] [2]
Schedule fall work around the collection route
For the October 26 through December 3, 2026 fall vacuum program, residents must prepare leaves by 7 a.m. on their quadrant’s assigned day. Check the city’s quadrant schedule before agreeing to a cleanup date. Ask the crew to finish the curbside preparation before that deadline. [2]
Have the crew rake loose leaves into long piles on the parking area or grass next to the street. Keep piles away from carts, mailboxes, cars, and utility poles. Require separate handling for sticks and branches because the city will not vacuum leaf piles containing them. [2]
Agree on a weather fallback with the contractor: move the visit, switch to hauling, or complete accessible areas and return for the rest. If you want another visit after more leaves fall, state that in the quote and ask whether the contractor prices it separately.
Check the hauling destination and quote
For local yard-waste disposal, direct the load to the Solid Waste Agency’s compost site at 2250 A Street SW. The agency does not accept yard waste at its County Home Road landfill and recycling location in Marion. The A Street site opens Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon. [3] [4]
The agency charges $35 per ton for yard waste, brush, and logs, subject to a $15 minimum. It also lists charges of $25 for uncovered or unsecured residential loads and $100 for uncovered or unsecured commercial loads. Ask the hauler to secure the load and confirm who pays any extra disposal charges. [3]
The compost site rejects stumps and root balls and excludes large tree loads brought by land-clearing equipment. Customers must unload their own vehicles or trailers. If your cleanup includes rejected materials, have the contractor confirm an accepted destination before loading them. [3] [4]
Compare written totals that cover the same work. Ask whether the price includes sorting, loading, transportation, disposal, and final sweeping. For hourly work, agree on an approval point before the crew exceeds your budget. Request proof of insurance and name the person who will resolve any damage or unfinished work.
Published local disposal minimum and unsecured-load charges
Local details that affect your job
Winter collection requires a request
The city’s winter 2026–27 yard-waste collection period runs December 14, 2026 through February 26, 2027. During winter, customers must submit a My CR request for collection. The city says it usually collects scheduled loads on Thursdays, subject to weather and other circumstances. Before choosing curbside preparation for a winter job, arrange the collection or ask for haul-away. [1]
An alley pile needs a different plan
City leaf vacuum crews do not collect leaves from alleys. If your crew plans to stage debris behind the property, specify a move to the street-side grass collection area or include haul-away. Keep loose leaves out of the street and separate from brush. [2]
Confirm a destination for stumps
The A Street compost site does not accept stumps or root balls. If an old stump or uprooted tree is part of your job, require the contractor to identify a disposal destination and price that work separately from ordinary leaves and brush. [3]
Choose the cleanup and disposal scope
| Your situation | Scope to request | Local requirement to account for |
|---|---|---|
| Loose fall leaves | Rake and separate leaves for vacuum collection | Prepare by 7 a.m. on your quadrant’s day during October 26–December 3, 2026. |
| Brush beyond cart capacity | Prepare bundles beside YARDY | Use biodegradable twine; bundles must be 2 by 3 feet and under 40 pounds, with branches up to 5 inches in diameter. |
| Overflow leaves in bags | Fill YARDY, then bag remaining leaves | City collection of paper leaf bags applies during spring and fall leaf vacuum periods; keep bags under 40 pounds. |
| Debris must leave after cleanup | Include loading, hauling, and disposal | The A Street compost site charges $35 per ton with a $15 minimum for yard waste. |
| Stumps or root balls | Confirm separate disposal arrangements | The A Street compost site does not accept these materials. |
Your hiring checklist
- Photograph each work area, debris pile, and access route.
- Mark plants to preserve and areas to leave untouched.
- Choose curbside preparation, haul-away, or a quote for each option.
- For curbside work, check the current collection schedule and preparation rules.
- Ask the hauler to confirm the destination for each debris type.
- Get a written total, exclusions, and approval terms for added work.
- Confirm insurance, weather rescheduling, and the final walkthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for the cleanup?
Ask for a site-specific quote covering the work areas, debris volume, and disposal method. The published local disposal fee is $35 per ton with a $15 minimum, but that fee does not establish a contractor’s cleanup price. Request separate amounts for labor, hauling, and disposal. [3]
Can the crew leave bagged leaves for city collection?
Yes, during spring and fall leaf vacuum collection periods, if the crew follows the city’s rules. Fill YARDY first, place the paper leaf bags at the curb with the filled cart, and keep each bag below 40 pounds. [1] [2]
Can leaves and sticks go in the same vacuum pile?
No. The city requires leaf vacuum piles to be free of twigs and branches. Ask the crew to separate brush for YARDY, compliant bundles, or hauling. [1] [2]
Can I take yard debris to the Marion landfill?
The Solid Waste Agency does not accept yard waste or tree debris at its County Home Road location in Marion, including small residential loads. Use the compost site at 2250 A Street SW and confirm acceptance before transporting unusual materials. [4]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.