Brush Collection Ending Soon for 2024

The Streets Division’s final curbside brush collection will soon get underway.

The last date when you should set out brush depends on where you live.   For some neighborhoods, the last set out date for brush for this year is September 8, 2024.

Once the final curbside pickup occurs, there will not be another scheduled brush collection opportunity until the spring of 2025.

When is the final set out date for brush pickup at your home?

Get your final set-out date for brush collection at www.cityofmadison.com/brushcollection.

Enter your address into the form on that page, or use the look-up map tool.  

When I set out brush on the Sunday shown on the website, when will Streets pick it up?

Collection happens during the work week following your set out Sunday.

Crews do not collect brush on Sundays. Many neighborhoods share the same set out day, so it takes time to get through all of the places that have brush.

With many residents to serve, crews cannot circle back through neighborhoods to double check to see if piles were put out late.  If you set out brush after your scheduled set out date, you may miss your collection opportunity.

How do I set out brush for pickup?

Brush should be between 18 inches and 8 feet in length, and no thicker than 8 inches in diameter. Cut ends should all face the same direction. You should also be sure to place brush away at least four feet away from obstructions such as terrace trees, street signs, utility poles, or fire hydrants.

Brush should not include trash, lumber, or other debris.  Brush is just limbs and branches cut from trees, shrubs, and bushes.

You can read more about the brush rules on our website or by watching our brush video.

What happens if I miss the final set out date for brush pickup?

If you miss their final curbside pickup opportunity, take the brush to a Streets Division drop-off site.

Check the drop-off site website so you know the locations, hours, and restrictions before loading your vehicle. 

Why does brush collection end for the year in September?  

We have to end brush collection before fall yard waste collection begins.

It takes the Streets Division about one month to collect brush from every neighborhood in Madison.

Curbside leaf and yard waste collection begins in October. 

By ending brush collection in September, this allows us to shift personnel from brush pickup to leaf and yard waste pickup. This allows us to have have enough personnel available to give every neighborhood three scheduled curbside leaf and yard waste collection opportunities when that season begins. 

Scheduled brush collection does not return after leaf and yard waste collection because the fall leaf and yard waste pickup lasts until the early part of December.  Streets Division operators who collect brush and also yard waste are the same people driving snowplows and performing other snow-related work.   Plus, we can’t guarantee brush collection in the winter because snow, of course, would bury any brush pile set out on the terrace.

Additional Information

More information about brush collection and the rules can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/brushcollection.

Additional information about all Streets Division services can be found at www.cityofmadison.com/streets.