Salem, OR. — As autumn colors blanket the Willamette Valley, the City of Salem is reminding residents to manage fallen leaves properly to prevent flooding and safety hazards.
City crews are currently clearing leaves from streets using sweepers, and in tree-heavy areas, loaders and dump trucks are deployed. Residents can check the street sweeper schedule at cityofsalem.net/community/transportation-getting-around/traffic-road-conditions/find-your-streetsweeper-schedule.
According to Salem Revised Code 76.015, it is illegal to rake or blow leaves into the street, as they can block storm drains and cause local flooding that endangers drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians. “Proper leaf disposal requires picking up all the leaves that fall on your property to prevent them from clogging storm drains,” city officials said.
Residents have several options for responsible disposal:
- Place leaves in a yard waste bin or take them to Brown’s Island Compost Facility (2895 Faragate St. S).
- Mulch-mow leaves for natural lawn fertilizer.
- Use shredded leaves to insulate garden beds or mix them into soil for organic matter.
- Add leaves to compost piles or create wildlife-friendly leaf habitats away from homes.
The Fall Leaf Haul program, once a joint effort with Marion County, was discontinued in 2024 due to declining attendance.
Officials also warn that wet leaves on roadways are slippery and can increase the risk of accidents. Residents should report flooding or blocked drains to Public Works Dispatch at 503-588-6311 or service@cityofsalem.net.
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