As autumn begins in Salem and the Willamette Valley, falling leaves require regular maintenance. City crews use street sweepers, loaders, and dump trucks to clear leaves from public areas. Residents and business owners are responsible for leaves on their own properties. According to Salem Revised Code 76.015, raking or blowing leaves into the street is not allowed. This rule helps prevent blocked storm drains and local flooding, which can damage property.
Residents can manage leaves by placing them in yard waste bins, taking them to Brown’s Island Compost Facility, or using them for mulch, compost, or soil improvement. The City’s Fall Leaf Haul program with Marion County ended in 2024 due to low participation. The City thanks residents for their previous involvement…