Autumn leaves are a beautiful site in Grants Pass. Beautiful, until they land in the streets, get mushy, and clog the stormwater drains. It’s the getting mushy part that our street-sweeping contractor will focus on for the next few months, and the clogging of stormwater drains is a matter that you can help address.
Beginning tomorrow, October 16, and continuing until December 31, 2023, Southern Oregon Sanitation will not be adhering to a set street sweeping schedule but will be addressing areas where leaves in streets are an issue.
Don’t worry–your street will be swept each month, though not necessarily on a day you’re accustomed to seeing them. And, Southern Oregon Sanitation will avoid sweeping streets on days when trash is scheduled to be picked up.
Please do not sweep your leaves into the street, hoping the street sweeper will soon arrive. It is actually illegal per the City's municipal code, and code enforcement will be sent out to properties that are dumping leaves into the street. Leaves left in the street build up and cause flooding when they choke the stormwater drain. Please use the green yard debris bins or appropriate leaf bags and set them out for your refuse hauler.
Beginning on November 1, the Fall Leaf Collection Program in Grants Pass will be conducted by subscription with residents’ local refuse haulers, who will empty the green yard debris bins each week until December 31. Refuse subscribers needing to bag extra leaves or requiring extra green waste cans should contact their trash provider. For more information contact Republic Services: (541) 479-3371, or Southern Oregon Sanitation: (541) 479-5335.
Nonsubscribers will need to haul their leaves to a transfer station location.
And if you’re dying to burn those leaves, you’ll need to obtain a permit and wait until the Fall Burn Window is open. Residents of the City of Grants Pass can apply for their burn permits online or in person at the Parkway Fire Station, 800 E Park St., Grants Pass, Oregon.
Office hours are 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM until 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. For questions, please call our Fire Prevention Division at 541-450-6200.
NOTE: Burning is only allowed if the DEQ ventilation index for the airshed is 400 or greater. It is the responsibility of each person to check the airshed before burning; the most up-to-date airshed information is available by calling the Burn Line at 541-476-9663 (541-476-WOOD) option 3 after 7:00 a.m.