Fall yard cleanup in East Texas usually ends with one question: where does all of it go? In Longview you have three real options. City curbside pickup handles leaves and small brush in paper bags. Bulky pickup takes big branches. A dumpster takes everything else at once, including the old fence boards and the patio set that did not survive summer.
Key takeaways
- Longview curbside yard waste: paper bags only, up to 8 cubic yards a week.
- Big branches (3 to 10 feet) go out through bulky pickup, 4 free loads a year.
- Burning inside city limits is almost never legal.
- Mixed or one-weekend cleanups: a 10-yard dumpster at $325 usually does it.
How to get rid of yard waste in Longview
Pines drop needles, oaks drop leaves, and the first fall storm drops a limb on the fence. By November the pile has its own zip code.
Here is what each disposal route actually allows, straight from the City of Longview yard waste rules and its bulky item service:
| Option | What it takes | The limit |
|---|---|---|
| Curbside yard waste | Leaves, pine needles, grass, small brush bundles | Paper bags or marked containers, 8 cubic yards a week |
| Bulky item pickup | Branches 3 to 10 feet long | 8 cubic yards a pickup, 4 free loads a year |
| Burning | Almost nothing inside city limits | Fines up to $2,000 per violation |
| 10-yard dumpster | Yard debris plus fence boards, furniture, shed junk | 2 tons included, 7 days, $325 |
City rules checked October 16, 2026. Call the city at 903-237-1250 to confirm before you set anything out.
Curbside is free and works well for steady weekly leaf bagging. The catch is the bag. Plastic bags get left at the curb, so it has to be paper.
Longview yard waste pickup in numbers
Eight cubic yards sounds like a lot until you count bags. A standard 30-gallon paper yard bag holds about 0.15 cubic yards, so the weekly limit works out to about 54 bags. That is plenty for a normal lot, and not enough for a half-acre under a stand of loblolly pines after one windy week.
Bulky pickup has its own rule: branches shorter than 3 feet go in regular garbage, bundled. Longer than 10 feet, and you are cutting them down first. A whole tree down after a storm is its own job; our storm cleanup guide covers it.
Why burning the pile is a bad plan in Longview
Watch out
Longview Fire Marshal Kevin May told KLTV in May 2024 that burning storm debris inside city limits is illegal almost every time. The state’s distance rules need about six acres to meet, and fines can reach $2,000 per violation.
The TCEQ outdoor burning guide sets those rules statewide. Even with the Gregg County burn ban currently off, a city lot rarely qualifies. Smoke travels. So do complaints.
Wet leaves and the weight question
Leaves feel weightless. A full dumpster of them is a different story.
The EPA volume-to-weight table puts loose leaves at 200 to 250 pounds per cubic yard and packed leaves at 300 to 450. Packed grass clippings run 550 to 1,500. The EPA notes that moisture changes everything, and Longview gets about 45 inches of rain a year.
Say you fill a 10-yard with loose, dry leaves. That is about 2,000 to 2,500 pounds, well inside the 2 tons included. Stomp them down after a week of rain and the same box can reach 4,500 pounds. The extra quarter ton costs about $16 at $65 per ton. Not a disaster. Just tarp it at night.
Curbside or dumpster: how to choose
Stick with curbside if
- It is mostly leaves and needles
- You can bag a little every week
- Branches are under 10 feet
Get a dumpster if
- The cleanup is one weekend, not one season
- Fence boards, deck wood or old furniture are coming out too
- You have more than a few loads of branches
A few things stay out of the dumpster no matter what: the propane tank from the old grill, paint cans, motor oil and batteries. Our what can go in a dumpster guide has the full list. Stumps go in but weigh 300 to 500 pounds each for a mature loblolly, so mention them when you book.
Fall yard cleanup in East Texas is a race against the first freeze. The yard does not get any smaller in December.
Ready for one-weekend cleanup?
A 10-yard is $325 for 7 days with 2 tons included, delivered with boards under the wheels. Order before noon for same-day delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Longview pick up leaves in plastic bags?
No. The City of Longview collects yard waste only in paper yard waste bags or personal containers marked “Yard Waste”, up to 8 cubic yards per customer per week.
Can I burn leaves in Longview city limits?
Almost never. Longview’s fire marshal says most city lots cannot meet the state’s distance rules, and fines can reach $2,000 per violation. Use curbside or bulky pickup, or a dumpster, instead.
Can yard waste go in a dumpster?
Yes. Leaves, branches, brush and stumps can all go in. Soil and stumps are heavy, so mention them when you book so the load fits the weight allowance.
What size dumpster do I need for a fall yard cleanup?
A 10-yard handles most single-lot cleanups, including some fence or furniture debris. Large lots with downed trees or a shed cleanout often need a 20-yard.