Fall Leaf Collection 2025: How to Rake, Schedule, and Relax in Dubuque

Let me start off by saying I have four huge maple trees at my house. So, I understand how big a pain it is to do and keep up with the soon to be carpet of leaves my back and front yards will have. Fall is my favorite season, with truly some of my least favorite chores; like raking all those beautiful yellow leaves, turned brown crunchy carpet. Well, Dubuque seems to be getting ready, just like I am.

If you’re like me and dread the annual “battle of the rake,” good news: the City of Dubuque’s Public Works Department is once again stepping in to save our backs (and our sanity) with several leaf and yard debris disposal options. While the City politely encourages mulching, mowing, and composting, there are other ways to deal with your crunchy yard nemesis.

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Starting Monday, October 13th through Wednesday, November 26th, residents can schedule a leaf rake-out collection appointment. Just call 563-589-4250 or head to www.cityofdubuque.org/yardwaste. Once you schedule, you can rake your leaves, along with pine needles and pinecones, into the street at the curb no sooner than the day before your appointment. The city wants you to avoid adding in your grass clippings, brush, sticks, or rocks.

Keep your leaf pile clear of cars, fire hydrants, and anything with wires or water coming out of it. City crews won’t enter private property or alleys, but they will take your leafy heap away for a minimum of $20 per 40-bag equivalent, conveniently billed to your utility account.

Of course, if you’re feeling extra responsible, the regular yard waste collection option is always there. You can use paper yard waste bags with single-use City stickers, sturdy containers marked with decals, or even the City’s yard debris tipper carts. Just remember: no plastic bags, and keep things under 35 gallons and 40 pounds (unlike my weekend leaf piles, which easily weigh as much as a small elephant, but are much more colorful). Stickers come in sheets of five for $7.50, and brush ties are $1.50 each. Those are available at local grocery, hardware, and discount stores.

Dubuque Leaf Rake-Out Quick Guide; a.k.a. “How to Get Rid of Your Leaf Mountain the Right Way”

• When: Appointments run Monday, Oct. 13 – Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025.
• What You Can Rake Out: Loose leaves, pine needles, and pine cones.
• Step 1: Schedule your pickup before you start raking into the street. Online at www.cityofdubuque.org/yardwaste, or by calling 563-589-4250
• Step 2: Rake your leaves to the curb no sooner than the day before your scheduled pickup.
• Step 3: Make sure crews can actually reach your pile. No cars parked within 10 feet. Don’t cover up fire hydrants, utility boxes, or storm drains (Public Works frowns on that).
• Step 4: Relax! The City will swing by and whisk those leaves away: for a small fee of $20 per 40-bag equivalent (added to your utility bill). More than 40 bags? Expect an extra charge.
• Step 5: Pat yourself on the back, grab some cider, and admire your temporarily leaf-free lawn.

And for obvious reasons, burning leaves or raking them into the street is strictly off-limits. Also, there are fines if you try to pretend it’s still the 1970s in Dubuque. So, while I will certainly be grumbling as I rake up my mountain of dead leaves, at least Dubuque has given you some decent ways to make fall cleanup a little less miserable.