Keep It Clean & Clear!

Disposing of Yard Waste

If you own a yard, you know that it takes considerable effort to keep it looking nice.  The grass needs cutting, bushes and trees need trimming, and sidewalks need to be swept.  Along with all of that, your curbs and gutters have to be cleaned so that everything looks well manicured.

Once all of the work is done, though, some thought needs to go into what you do with your yard waste. Yard waste has basically three classifications:  small yard waste, heavy brush*, and grass clippings.  (*Heavy brush is defined as tree and shrub limbs and trimmings which are greater than 3” in diameter; tree trunks, root balls, and similar items.)

There are prohibitions against leaving yard waste in the street.  There are also requirements for keeping your curb, gutter and sidewalk clean. 

The City’s Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)-issued Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit, which allows storm water to be discharged untreated to our creek and bays, requires that storm water runoff be kept clear of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable. Yard waste is considered a significant pollutant of storm water.

Where can I leave my yard waste?

During designated set-out periods, you can put your heavy brush and yard waste on the City’s right-of-way.  Contact the City’s Call Center (826-2489) for your set-out schedule. Smaller materials can be put in your trash bin for regular pick up.

City Ordinance (Article II, Sec. 21-13) states you may not leave your yard waste on street pavement, in the gutter, on a sidewalk or in a drainage ditch.  In right-of-way areas where there is no practical alternative, you may be allowed to set your yard waste in a drainage ditch, but you may be liable if there is any flooding damage downstream of your yard waste.

I don't want to damage my lawn.  Why can't I put my yard waste on the street?

In addition to being against City Ordinance, yard waste placed on the street can be a traffic hazard and/or block storm water flow, resulting in localized flooding.  You need to keep the street and curb area adjacent to your property clear.

What do I do with my grass clippings?

The very best thing to do with your grass clippings is to compost them or leave them on your lawn.  As the grass decomposes, it returns nutrients to your lawn.  As a result, your yard will need less or no fertilizer.   The very worst thing you can do is blow or sweep the clippings into the street, gutters or into a storm drain.  In fact, it is against City Ordinance (Article XVI, Sec. 55-203) to do so.

Why not put grass in the street?

Grass left on the street blows into the gutters with the wind and passing traffic and can end up in storm water drainage inlets.  When it rains, grass clippings can flow and clog storm drains and cause localized flooding.  The grass can also flow through the drainage system directly into our receiving bodies of water (rivers, creeks, bays) where it decomposes.  Decomposed grass puts too many nutrients in the water which can lead to algae bloom.  Algae bloom decreases the amount of oxygen in the water and can lead to fish kills.

Who has responsibility for keeping my curbs and gutters clean?

City Ordinance (Article I, Sec. 49-10) places responsibility for keeping street curbs and gutters clean on the abutting property owner, lessee or tenant. If you own, lease or are the tenant of a residence or commercial or vacant property, you are responsible for keeping your adjoining curb and gutter clean.

The definition of “clean” is that it is clear of sand, leaves, or dirt.  Additionally, you cannot allow grass or weeds to grow on or extend over curbs and gutters.  In other words, you are responsible for making sure that all of the concrete area of the curb and gutter is clean and clear.

Does this apply to my sidewalks as well?

Yes.  The Ordinance has the same requirements for sidewalks.  You, as the tenant of a residence or business, are responsible for keeping your sidewalk clean and clear as well.