Aldermen Introduce Legislation on Leaf Raking Policy

Milwaukee aldermen Scott Spiker and Lamont Westmoreland are introducing legislation about how the city collects fall leaves. Their proposal would make sure residents can keep raking leaves into the curb for pickup, instead of being forced to bag them. This comes after the Department of Public Works briefly pushed a plan that would have required bagged leaves only, then backed off and said residents could use either method.

This matters to Milwaukee residents because leaf collection is a neighborhood-wide chore that affects just about every homeowner and property owner each fall. Raking leaves to the curb has been the long-standing system, so changing it to a bag-only approach would have meant extra work, extra cost for bags, and a bigger burden for some residents, especially older adults or people with physical limitations. Supporters of the legislation also want certainty that the city won’t suddenly change the rules again after residents have already adjusted their routines.

The immediate next step is that the aldermen plan to formally introduce the legislation at the Common Council level. If it moves forward, council members would debate it and decide whether to direct DPW to keep curbside leaf pile collection in place. In the meantime, the city’s current compromise still allows both options: residents may rake leaves to the curb or bag them for pickup.