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A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in St. Petersburg, verified October 2026.
Checked against St. Petersburg Sanitation
727-893-7398
or SeeClickFix, to schedule a Special Pickup before anything goes out
Free
furniture, TVs, computer equipment, and appliances on a scheduled Special Pickup
5
Brush Sites, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, free for yard waste, metals, and appliances
Every route for yard waste in St. Petersburg, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full St. Petersburg guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in St. Petersburg, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
St. Petersburg Special Pickup: yard waste
Not collectedYard waste is not collected curbside in St. Petersburg. Take it to one of the five Brush Sites free, or pay $25.65 per cubic yard for a Special Pickup.
Why: Hazardous waste, liquids, commercial waste, and yard waste (five free Brush Sites instead).
St. Petersburg Brush and Recycling Sites: yard waste
FreeYard waste accepted daily.
Where: Five sites citywide, including 2500 26th Ave S (large logs); full list at stpete.org/brushsites
How it works: Daily 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. for properties with an active city sanitation charge (Florida license with a city address, or ID plus a city water account). Yard waste, mixed metals, appliances, cement roofing tiles, and recyclables.
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 St. Petersburg: 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 St. Petersburg: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
St. Petersburg, Florida (#85 nationally) is one of the few major cities where the City Sanitation Services directly provides residential collection, not contracted to a private hauler. The City of St. Petersburg Sanitation Services serves more than 76,000 residential accounts. Trash is collected on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, OR Friday depending on your zone, there is NO Wednesday trash collection. Bi-weekly recycling runs on a 8-zone color-coded system. Special bulky pickup is request-based: call (727) 893-7398 FIRST to schedule before placing items at the curb. The City operates 5 free brush sites open 7 days/week 9 AM-5:30 PM. HHW is handled at the Pinellas County Solid Waste Disposal Complex. This guide covers every disposal option for City of St. Petersburg residents.
The St. Petersburg rule for yard waste: Yard waste is not collected curbside in St. Petersburg. Take it to one of the five Brush Sites free, or pay $25.65 per cubic yard for a Special Pickup.
What the city will not take: Hazardous waste, liquids, commercial waste, and yard waste (five free Brush Sites instead).
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of St. Petersburg Sanitation: Special Pickup, City of St. Petersburg: Brush and Recycling Sites. 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 St. Petersburg households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (construction debris, hazmat), or service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multi-piece sets), LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Tampa Bay 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 St. Petersburg with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside St. Petersburg proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete St. Petersburg 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 St. Petersburg: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does St. Petersburg pick up yard waste for free?
No curbside. Free at a Brush Site, or a paid Special Pickup.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in St. Petersburg?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in St. Petersburg starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For St. Petersburg households needing same-week or in-home pickup, items the city won’t accept (construction debris, hazmat), or service when crew labor is needed (heavy items, multi-piece sets), LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Tampa Bay 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 St. Petersburg page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full St. Petersburg guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.