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A public resource guide
Free yard waste removal in Stockton, CA
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Stockton, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Stockton
Home › By item › Yard waste › Stockton
A public resource guide
Every free and paid way to get rid of yard waste in Stockton, verified October 2026.
Checked against City of Stockton
1x a year
free Clean Sweep pickup, February through October, by appointment 2 weeks ahead
3 cu yd
free volume (3 by 3 by 9 feet); extra yards charged
E-waste OK
TVs and monitors are accepted in a Clean Sweep pile
Every route for yard waste in Stockton, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Stockton guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Stockton, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
Stockton Clean Sweep: yard waste
FreeGreen waste goes in the green cart weekly, and up to six 30-gallon bags of green waste can go in a Clean Sweep pile.
Who qualifies: Single-family homes, duplexes, and triplexes served by Republic Services (gray cart bodies) or Waste Management (green cart bodies).
How to schedule: One free Clean Sweep pickup per household per year, February through October, by appointment: call your hauler 2 weeks ahead (Republic 209-466-3604, WM 209-946-5711). Up to 3 cubic yards (3 by 3 by 9 feet). Extra yards and year-round on-call pickups are charged.
Limits: 3 cubic yards free once a year; each extra cubic yard is charged, and piles over 10 cubic yards are referred to Code Enforcement. Bags and boxes under 40 pounds.
Set-out: At the curb the evening before your scheduled day, loose items and containers under 40 pounds. Nothing out without an appointment.
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 Stockton: 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 Stockton: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Stockton, California provides 1 free curbside bulky-waste pickup per year through the city’s Clean Sweep program, available February through October only, by appointment two weeks in advance. California’s SB 1383 requires three-cart mandatory sorting for all residents. WM (Waste Management) serves most Stockton city residents. This guide covers every disposal option for City of Stockton residents, residents outside city limits in unincorporated San Joaquin County should contact the San Joaquin County Solid Waste Division.
The Stockton rule for yard waste: Green waste goes in the green cart weekly, and up to six 30-gallon bags of green waste can go in a Clean Sweep pile.
Program basics: 3 cubic yards free once a year; each extra cubic yard is charged, and piles over 10 cubic yards are referred to Code Enforcement. Bags and boxes under 40 pounds. At the curb the evening before your scheduled day, loose items and containers under 40 pounds. Nothing out without an appointment.
What the city will not take: Household hazardous waste, construction waste, dirt and rock, and loose material not in containers. E-waste is accepted.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Stockton: Clean Sweep program, Republic Services: Stockton residential service guide. 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 Stockton households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Stockton area.
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 Stockton with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Stockton proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Stockton 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 Stockton: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Stockton pick up yard waste for free?
Yes, in the green cart weekly, or bagged in your Clean Sweep pile.
How much does paid yard waste removal cost in Stockton?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single yard waste pickup in Stockton starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For Stockton households who need same-day or in-home pickup, crew labor, or faster service than city programs allow, LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in the Stockton area.
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 Stockton page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Stockton guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.