Leaf Collection Program
UPDATE 12/8/25
Given the volume of snow that the area has received since the Thanksgiving holiday, leaf piles remain inaccessible for curbside collection. The City is continuing to monitor the long range forecast to find an opportunity to complete the leaf collection program. However, at this time, the program remains suspended indefinitely.
UPDATE 12/3/25
The City’s curbside leaf collection program has been temporarily suspended after nine inches of snow accumulated over the weekend. In addition, more snow and freezing temperatures are forecast throughout the week.
We understand the situation is frustrating and appreciate your patience as we manage the impacts of the weather on leaf collection operations.
We know how much residents value this service. The City, and its contractor, Kramer Tree Specialists, are closely monitoring the forecast for more favorable weather conditions that would allow the opportunity to resume the program.
The program was in the third and final collection cycle when the snow storm hit. Curbside leaf collection relies on vacuum equipment to pick up the leaf piles. Snow, freezing temperatures, and ice make it difficult to spot leaf piles and can cause significant equipment issues.
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FAQs
Will the contractor come back and pick up my leaves?
If temperatures climb enough to melt the snow piles, collection may resume. We will provide updates if this happens.
How will I know if you are resuming the program?
Check the City website for updates.
What can I do if I don’t want to wait for the weather to improve?
There is free pick up of bagged leaves throughout the entire month of December. Put the bags out with your garbage on your regular refuse collection day.
The City charges me a fee for leaf collection. How much do I pay?
Households pay $5.22/month, or $62.64/year for 11 total collections: three leaf collections and eight brush collections.
Why couldn’t the City plan ahead and make sure the leaves were picked up before the storm?
The leaf collection program is designed to be six weeks long to account for the range of times that various trees drop their leaves. The contractor plans and schedules their workload around that program. They do not have the capacity to conduct both normal collections while also increasing collections to try to get ahead of potential weather.
In this northern Illinois climate, St. Charles has seen snow as early as the first week of the program and the City has been able to resume operations. The current delay is exacerbated by the prevalence of freezing temperatures that have persisted after the snowfall.
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3 Curbside Collections
Leaf collection begins on the east side of the river on October 27, 2025. The City’s contractor, Kramer Tree Specialists, will complete three collection cycles of the City with an anticipated completion date of December 5. A progress map will be updated daily, showing which neighborhoods have been picked up, and where work remains for the month.
Check Leaf Collection Progress
Note: At the top of the sidebar on the map, click the down arrow to see collection updates and the map color key:
1st Round - Purple
2nd Round - Orange
3rd Round - Blue
Free Bagged Leaf Collection in December
Lakeshore Recycling Systems will provide free bagged leaf collection from December 1 through December 30 for any remaining leaves on your regular refuse collection day.
Pick up is unavailable for the following subdivisions/areas:
- Cumberland Green
- Whittington Course, Royal Fox private streets, Dunham Place Commons, Delnor Townhomes, Delnor Glen Drive
- Townes of Fox Chase
- Walnut Hill Townhomes
- Viewpointe
- Willowgate
- Wildrose Springs Townhomes, Auburn Court, Benham Court, Oak Crest
- Brownstones
Leaf Collection Reminders
- Please have leaves on the parkway by 6:30 a.m. on the beginning day of pick up for your area
- It may take three to four days for leaves to be collected in your specific area, dependent on the volume of leaves and weather.
- A smaller truck will collect the leaves in the cul-de-sacs.
- Leaf piles will not be picked up if obstructed by parked vehicles or other obstacles. The piles will be picked up on your next scheduled pick up when the obstruction is removed.
- Please keep a distance of approximately 10’ between leaf piles and permanent structures, e.g., fire hydrants, trees, streetlight poles, etc.
- Rake leaves in a row parallel to the street at least 1’ back from the curb and off the sidewalk.
- Inclement weather or a large volume of leaves could alter the leaf pickup schedule.
- Pushing leaves into the street is a violation of Ordinance 12.04.170, punishable by a fine up to $500.00 for each offense.
- Leaf piles will not kill grass although they may cause it to discolor.
- Avoid raking foreign materials into leaf piles as these could damage equipment or cause injury to personnel.
- This program is funded by a portion of the fee collected on the utility bills of eligible homeowners. Check your utility bill or call Utility Billing at 630-377-4426 with questions about your eligibility for this program.
Be sure to check back here for updates, call Public Works at 630-377-4405 or Kramer Tree Specialists at 630-293-5444 or email pw@stcharlesil.gov.
Leaf Collection Update
Monday, December 1
Due to the winter weather over the holiday weekend, the leaf collection is suspended on Monday 12/1/2025. Conditions will be assessed with consideration to future forecasts to determine the best course of action to complete the leaf program.
The City’s waste hauler, LRS, offers free bagged leaf collection to all St. Charles residents on their regular refuse collection day.
Tuesday, November 25
The City’s contractor, Kramer Tree Specialists, is continuing to advance through the final collection on the east side of the City. There will be no leaf collection on Thursday, 11/ 27 in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Work will resume on Friday, 11/28 and continue into Saturday, 11/29. The final collection on the west side of the City will commence immediately upon completion of the final east collection cycle.
The National Weather Service is currently forecasting winter weather over the weekend. Please ensure that leaves are piled for collection in the parkway, and that piles are not staged in the street in front of you home to avoid creating hazardous conditions.
Beginning on December 1st, the City’s waste hauler, LRS, will collect bagged leaves on the regular refuse collection date. No sticker is needed for bagged leaves during the month of December.
Thursday, November 20
On Friday, November 21, Kramer crews will simultaneously be completing the second-round collection on the west side while starting the third and final collection on the east side of the city.
Please be sure to move all vehicles that are parked in front of leaf piles to ensure collection.
The color for the third-round collection changes to blue on the map.
Any remaining leaves after the third and final collection can be put out for free in yardwaste bags - no stickers required, on your regular refuse day from December 1 through December 30.
Friday, November 14
Kramer will be completing the second-round collection on the east side today, while simultaneously starting the second-round west side collection. Crews will be working on Saturday, November 15.
Tuesday, November 4
Kramer will complete the first-round leaf collection as anticipated on Wednesday, November 5th and will commence immediately with the second-round leaf collection on the east side.
Please check the progress map (link above) for daily status and remember - the completion color for round two will change to orange!
Friday, October 31
Kramer anticipates finishing the first-round leaf collection by Wednesday, November 5th. The second-round east side leaf collection will commence immediately following the west side completion.
Please check the progress map (link above) for daily status.