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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Chesapeake, VA
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Chesapeake, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Chesapeake
Home › By item › Yard waste › Chesapeake
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Chesapeake, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Chesapeake
382-CITY
call by 5 p.m. the work day before, or request online by 11:59 p.m.
3 days
earliest set-out before your regular collection day, 3 feet from obstructions
No tires
state rules keep tires out of bulk; SPSA Tire Processing Facility in Suffolk instead
Every route for yard waste in Chesapeake, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Chesapeake guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Chesapeake, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Chesapeake scheduled bulk trash collection: yard waste
Free, with a step firstBulk yard waste (limbs and branches) can be requested with bulk pickups, one 4 by 4 by 6 foot pile per week, separate from household items. Bagged yard waste goes with regular collection.
Who qualifies: Residents served by the City of Chesapeake Waste Management Division.
How to schedule: Request a pickup by calling 757-382-CITY (2489) by 5 p.m. the work day before your regular collection day, or use the online Bulk Trash Pickup Request by 11:59 p.m. the day before. Collection comes on your regular day. Free.
Limits: No published volume cap for household bulk. Bulk yard waste is limited to one 4 by 4 by 6 foot pile per week, kept separate from household items.
Set-out: As close to the curb or roadside as possible, 3 feet from mailboxes, poles, and carts, no earlier than 3 work days before your collection day. Refrigerator and freezer doors removed; all glass surfaces taped.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Chesapeake: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering yard waste, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Chesapeake: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Chesapeake, Virginia has one of the more accessible bulk waste systems in Hampton Roads: free curbside bulk pickup is collected on the same day as regular garbage when scheduled in advance. Call (757) 382-CITY (2489) by 5 PM the workday before, or submit online by 11:59 PM the day before. The city discontinued curbside recycling in 2023 and now operates 8 drop-off locations across the city, most 24/7. The SPSA Chesapeake Transfer Station at 901 Hollowell Lane handles HHW on the first Wednesday of each month. Tires are not accepted in any city program due to Virginia DEQ regulations. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Chesapeake residents.
The Chesapeake rule for yard waste: Bulk yard waste (limbs and branches) can be requested with bulk pickups, one 4 by 4 by 6 foot pile per week, separate from household items. Bagged yard waste goes with regular collection.
Program basics: No published volume cap for household bulk. Bulk yard waste is limited to one 4 by 4 by 6 foot pile per week, kept separate from household items. As close to the curb or roadside as possible, 3 feet from mailboxes, poles, and carts, no earlier than 3 work days before your collection day. Refrigerator and freezer doors removed; all glass surfaces taped.
What the city will not take: Carpet, wood and fencing, construction and demolition debris, hazardous waste, and tires (SPSA stations cannot accept tires under state rules; use the SPSA Tire Processing Facility in Suffolk).
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Chesapeake Waste Management: Bulk Trash Collection, City of Chesapeake: Bulk Trash Collection FAQ. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Why yard waste are different from ordinary bulk. Bundling rules are where most yard waste gets skipped. Branches typically must be under 4 feet long and 4 to 6 inches in diameter, tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds, and limited to a number of bundles per week. Leaves go in paper bags or carts, not plastic, in most programs because the material is composted. Plastic bags of leaves are the most common curbside rejection.
Three mistakes that get yard waste left at the curb:
Paid options cover stumps, large tree removals, and heavy loads of sod and soil.
Stump grinding
$100 to $400 per stumpGrinding a stump in place to below grade is cheaper and easier than removing it. The grindings can be left as mulch or bagged as yard waste where the program allows wood chips.
Mark utilities first. Call 811 before grinding near service lines.
LoadUp paid yard waste pickup
$80+For Chesapeake households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (carpet, construction debris), or service before the next scheduled bulk request, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Hampton Roads area for upfront-priced pickup.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your yard waste. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book yard waste pickup in Chesapeake with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Chesapeake proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Chesapeake junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national yard waste disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Chesapeake: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Chesapeake pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, by request, one 4 by 4 by 6 foot pile a week, separate from household bulk.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Chesapeake?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Chesapeake starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Chesapeake households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (carpet, construction debris), or service before the next scheduled bulk request, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Hampton Roads area for upfront-priced pickup.
How do I put yard waste out for pickup?
Leaves and clippings in paper lawn bags or the green cart, not plastic. Branches cut to the length limit (usually 4 feet), under the diameter limit (usually 4 to 6 inches), tied in bundles under 40 to 50 pounds. Check your city’s weekly bundle limit and season in the directory below.
Why can’t I use plastic bags?
Because yard waste is composted or ground into mulch, and plastic contaminates the product. Most programs require paper bags or carts; a few accept plastic bags that crews empty and leave behind.
Which states ban yard waste from landfills?
More than 20 states ban some or all yard waste from landfills, including Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Delaware among others. That is why curbside programs are so common.
What do I do with a tree stump?
Grind it in place ($100 to $400), dig it out and take it to a transfer station as inert material, or list it free for someone who wants firewood or a planter. Most curbside programs exclude stumps and root balls.
Is this Chesapeake page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Chesapeake guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.