How Does Leaf Collection Work in Lexington, KY This Fall?
How LFUCG leaf pickup works in fall 2026: gray carts, paper bags only, the Thanksgiving week gap, Haley Pike drop-off, and when to hire a leaf cleanup.
Short answerIf you have city waste service in Lexington, LFUCG picks up leaves every week on your regular collection day. Fill your gray yard waste cart first, then set out paper yard waste bags beside it. Plastic bags go to the landfill, and leaves raked loose to the curb or into the street are not collected. Extra bag crews start in late October, and there is no yard waste pickup Thanksgiving week.
Key takeaways
- Leaves go out on your regular collection day, in the gray cart first and then in paper yard waste bags.
- Leaves in plastic bags are taken to the landfill instead of being turned into mulch.
- Blowing or raking leaves into the street or a storm drain breaks city ordinances and clogs drains.
- LFUCG will not collect yard waste the week of Thanksgiving (Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026).
- Fayette County residents can take two pickup-truck loads of yard waste a month to Haley Pike for free.
When does Lexington pick up leaves in 2026?
Leaves are picked up with the rest of your yard waste, every week, on the same day as your green and blue carts. LFUCG says extra crews begin helping with yard waste bags in late October, with the exact start based on when the leaves fall. Bags may be picked up later in the day than carts, because a different truck handles them. Crews collect until 5:30 p.m., so the city asks you not to report a missed pickup to LexCall (311) until after 5:30 p.m. on your day.
Missed yard waste is collected on the next makeup day (Wednesday or Saturday). The one gap to plan around: yard waste will not be collected Thanksgiving week. Whether you are in Chevy Chase, Hartland or Gainesway, get your last bags out the week before.
What are LFUCG's rules for leaf bags and carts?
- Cart first. Put leaves loose in your gray yard waste cart, and make sure the lid closes.
- Paper bags only. Overflow goes in paper yard waste bags set beside the cart. Material in plastic bags goes to the landfill.
- No loose piles. Leaves raked to the curb and not bagged will not be collected.
- Never in the street. Blowing, sweeping or dumping leaves into the street, gutter or a storm drain violates city ordinances.
- Sticks and branches. In the cart, under 4 feet long and 6 inches across. Next to the cart, tie them with twine in bundles under 4 feet and 50 pounds.
- Pumpkins count. Whole or carved pumpkins and plant-based decorations can go in the gray cart once wires and candles are removed.
- Free bags and chutes. Bag coupons came in the city's mid-September At Your Service newsletter. A free leaf chute (one per household, while supplies last) is available from the city.
What are your options besides curbside pickup?
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mulch with the mower | Mow regularly, a couple of passes, until leaves are dime-sized. No special mower needed. | Light to moderate leaf fall on open lawns |
| Gray cart and paper bags | Set out on your regular collection day. The city turns it into mulch. | Homes with city waste service |
| Haley Pike drop-off | Two pickup-truck loads a month free for Fayette County residents. Proof of residency required, tarp open loads, closed Wednesdays and weekends. | Big lots or homes without city service |
| Hire a leaf cleanup | We rake, bag or haul it away, and clear beds and gutters in the same visit. | Heavy trees, busy schedules, rentals |
How much does a leaf cleanup cost in Lexington?
A yard or leaf cleanup with haul-away on a typical Lexington lot usually runs $175–$475 with us. Where your job lands in that range depends on how many trees you have, whether the leaves are wet and matted, and whether beds and fence lines need clearing too. Haul-away means you do not have to fill bags or wait on a pickup day.
Many homeowners pair it with gutter cleaning, since the same trees fill both. A one-story gutter cleaning typically runs $110–$195. Text us two photos of the yard and we send a flat price before any work starts.
When should you schedule a fall leaf cleanup?
Schedule one cleanup after most of your trees are bare. It saves a second trip and a second set of bags. If you are hosting family for Thanksgiving, aim for the week before, because the city skips yard waste pickup Thanksgiving week. Tell us when you book if beds, fence lines or gutters need clearing too, and we handle it in the same visit.
No Shortcuts. No Half Measures. Just solid work done right.
How it works
What happens after you text us a photo?
We call this the Photo-to-Flat-Price Method. It is how most of our jobs start, and it means you know the price before any work begins.
- Text a photo. Send a clear photo and one line about the job to (859) 438-2150. Add a second photo from farther back so we can see the whole area.
- Get a flat price. We reply within one business day with one flat price for the job, or an hourly estimate if the job can't be judged from a photo.
- Pick a time. Reply to book, or book online. Bigger jobs get a free on-site estimate first.
- We do it right. Frank does the work himself. If a job turns out different from the photo, such as hidden rot, we stop and talk with you before doing any extra work.
- Pay your way, backed for a year. Pay by cash, card, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal, Cash App or Apple Pay. Labor on every job is guaranteed for one year.
FAQ
Questions people ask next
Does Lexington still vacuum leaves from the curb?
The city's current leaf disposal page lists three options: keep the leaves, put them in the gray cart or paper yard waste bags for weekly pickup, or take them to Haley Pike. Leaves raked loose to the curb are not collected.
Can I put leaves in plastic bags in Lexington?
No. LFUCG says leaves in plastic bags go to the landfill. Use the gray cart or paper yard waste bags.
Is it illegal to blow leaves into the street in Lexington?
Yes. Blowing, sweeping or dumping yard waste into city streets, gutters or storm drains violates city ordinances because it clogs drains and can cause flooding.
Do you haul the leaves away?
Yes. Our yard and leaf cleanups include haul-away, so you do not have to wait for your collection day.
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Got a job? Let's get it done right.
Text a photo for a flat price, or request a free estimate. We reply within one business day. Labor on every job is guaranteed for one year.
About this page & sources
Prices are typical Lexington ranges from our own jobs, not quotes. National figures and local rules are linked to the source we checked.
Where do these numbers come from?
Last updated · By Frank Roche Jr., owner · What changed in this update: 2026-10-23: first published, answering the local search “lexington ky leaf collection / lexington ky leaf pickup / lfucg leaf collection”.
