How To Dispose Of Leaves This Fall In Livingston: 2026 Update

LIVINGSTON, NJ — It's that time of the year again, Livingston.

The township recently released some leaf collection reminders for local residents as the autumn season arrives. Here's what to know for 2026.

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LEAF COLLECTION PROGRAM

The Township of Livingston is divided into three sections for the 2026 annual Leaf Collection Program. Leaves may only be placed in the street gutter on the specific dates listed in the 2026 Leaf Collection Program Schedule for each respective week and section. Prior to the stated calendar dates, leaves should be left on the lawn at the curb line.

Leaves fall at different times, depending on weather conditions. For this reason, Department of Public Works trucks are scheduled to pick up leaves throughout all sections of town during the last week of the Leaf Collection Program.

As long as residents have placed their leaves at the curb line by Saturday, December 12, 2026 they will be picked up. Any leaves placed out after December 12 may not be picked up. If they are put out late and not picked up, it will be the homeowner's responsibility to bag the remaining leaves and put them out with regular garbage after the Leaf Collection Program has ended.

The New Jersey Stormwater Management Rules state that leaves:

1. must be at least 10 feet away from any storm drain inlet or catch basin, and
2. can only be put in the street gutter for a maximum of 7 days before they are scheduled to be picked up.

The Township of Livingston is required by the State of New Jersey to enforce the Stormwater Management Rules; therefore, failure to follow the leaf collection schedule and requirements could result in warnings and fines being issued to both the resident and respective landscape contractor. Township of Livingston Ordinance Chapter 178, "Littering," contains the requirements for disposing of grass clippings and leaves. Residents must adhere to the following:

Grass Clippings

DO:

1. Dispose of grass clippings only by putting them in a container or bag.

BUT:

1. DO NOT dispose of grass clippings by placing them or causing them to end up on adjacent property (i.e., by using air blowers or other mechanical equipment)

1. DO NOT dispose of grass clippings by depositing them in any catch basin or sewer, or by leaving them along any curb line or gutter.

Leaves

DO:

1. Dispose of leaves in a container or bag, except during the scheduled annual Leaf Collection Program, when they must be left at the curb line for collection.
2. Put leaves on the curb or in the gutter of that portion of the public street adjacent to the property from which the leaves are being disposed only during the annual Leaf Collection Program, according to the times and dates in the published Leaf Collection Program Schedule.
3. Put leaves in the street gutter for a maximum period of only 7 days before the scheduled collection date.
4. Put leaves for disposal — only if you live on Essex County or NJ State roads — either in paper leaf bags that have been provided by the township, or their equivalent.
5. Understand that anyone who does not follow the requirements for disposing of grass clippings and leaves may be subject to a fine as established in Chapter 178, "Littering," of the Township of Livingston General Ordinances.

BUT:

1. DO NOT dispose of leaves by placing them or causing them to be on adjacent property (i.e., by using air blowers or other mechanical equipment)
2. DO NOT dispose of leaves by depositing them in any catch basin or sewer.
3. DO NOT place leaves closer than 10 feet from any storm drain inlet or catch basin.
4. DO NOT place leaves at the curb lines of the following streets, which are Essex County and NJ State roads:Beaufort Avenue, East Cedar Street, Eisenhower Parkway, East/West Hobart Gap Road, Kennedy Parkway, Laurel Avenue, South/North Livingston Avenue, East/West Northfield Road, Old Short Hills Road, Parsonage Hill Road, Passaic Avenue, Shrewsbury Drive, South Orange Avenue, Walnut Street and State Highway Rt. 10 (East/West Mt. Pleasant Avenue).
   Leaves along these roads must be put in bags.

The 2026 Township of Livingston Leaf Collection Program Schedule is as follows:

• Section 1: Area north of East & West Mount Pleasant Avenue
• Section 2: Area south of East & West Mount Pleasant Avenue and north of East & West Northfield Road
• Section 3: Area south of East & West Northfield Road and West Mount Pleasant Avenue west of the traffic circle

NOTE: For more information on Sections, or to find a specific street, visit livingstonnj.org/LeafCollection

Leaf collection on Essex County Roads and State Highway Rt. 10 will occur once each week during the 2026 leaf collection season.

The final date leaves may be placed in the gutter for collection on municipal streets is Saturday, December 12, 2026.

The final date that paper bagged leaves may be placed at the curb for collection on Essex County roads and State Highway Rt. 10 is Saturday, December 12, 2026.

Reminder: Properties on Essex County roads and State Highway Rt. 10 (East/West Mt. Pleasant Avenue) must place leaves for disposal in paper bags that have been either provided by the township or are their equivalent. No unbagged leaves for disposal may be placed at the curb line on County or State roads. Bagged leaves will only be collected on County and State Roads.

Residents can find information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Leaf Collection Program — including how to locate their leaf collection section — on the township website at livingstonnj.org/LeafCollection

Anyone with an issue relating to leaf collection not found on the township's Leaf Collection website page can call 973-992-5000 ext. #5522, or:

• send a specific question or voice a concern at livingstonnj.org/ReportAConcern or by clicking the icon on the website's homepage
• look up your street or section at livingstonnj.org/LeafCollection

Residents with a landscape contractor: Please share the requirements for grass and leaf collection disposal, along with the Leaf Collection Schedule, with your landscape contractor. Landscapers must also follow the dates of the Leaf Collection Program Schedule for the property.

FREE LEAF BAGS FOR COUNTY, STATE ROADS

The Township of Livingston is giving out paper leaf bags to property owners on Essex County roads or State Highway Route 10 (Mt. Pleasant Avenue). From Thursday, October 15 through Monday, December 7, 2026, residents can pick up leaf bags at the Public Works Garage, 235 South Livingston Avenue from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on weekdays, and 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Please note that proof of address must be provided.

New Jersey State and Essex County roads are:

• Beaufort Avenue
• East Cedar Street
• Eisenhower Parkway
• East & West Hobart Gap Road
• John F. Kennedy Parkway
• Laurel Avenue
• South & North Livingston Avenue
• East & West Northfield Road
• Old Short Hills Road
• Parsonage Hill Road
• Passaic Avenue
• Shrewsbury Drive
• South Orange Avenue
• Walnut Street
• East & West Mt. Pleasant Avenue

YARD WASTE REMINDER

Livingston residents are reminded that yard waste may be left at the curb for collection along with household garbage year-round.

Yard waste includes bundled small brush, twigs, and branches; leaves; bagged grass clippings; and other bagged garden materials. Tree limbs and branches should be:

• bundled in no more than 4-foot lengths
• weighing no more than 50 pounds per bundle
• bundled or bagged in a way that allows an individual to safely pick up and move the bag or bundle

Bagged leaves will not be collected by the garbage company during the township's Leaf Collection Program from October to December. The township will collect leaves during that time.

For any problems or questions related to garbage pickup, residents should contact Basso Inc. directly by one of the following methods:

• Call 973-868-8496
• Email livingston@fbassoinc.com

More Information

Visit livingstonnj.org/GarbageRecycling for schedules, FAQs, recycling guidelines, information about disposal of special items, and more.

>> RELATED: Stop Collecting Leaves This Fall, NJ Advocates Say (Here's Why)

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