What To Do With Your Leaves in Minnetonka

Autumn leaves are beautiful, but they can also create lots of work for homeowners.

The Public Works facility (11522 Minnetonka Blvd)  accepts leaves and yard waste from Minnetonka residents. You must present proper identification to verify you are a Minnetonka resident (driver’s license, state I.D., or Minnetonka utility bill). No loads of leaves will be accepted from commercial lawn services without proof of residency of the address the leaves are from.

During the busiest times, there will be expanded drop-off days. In addition to the normal operating schedule, the site will be open on Friday, Nov. 2, 9 and 16, from 12–6 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 4, 11 and 18, from 12–4 p.m.

If you have other means of handling your leaves such as collection by your garbage hauler or backyard composting, the city asks that use that option. 

All garbage haulers offer curbside collection of yard waste for a fee (either an annual, monthly, per cart or per bag fee). The garbage hauler yardwaste collection programs typically run mid-April through mid-November.

See the information on proper bags required for curbside collection of bagged yard waste. State law requires proper compostable bags for curbside collection of bagged yardwaste—regular plastic bags are not allowed. Some companies offer yard waste carts, eliminating the need for using bags.

Leaves Standard dates and times

Truck and trailer loads of leaves will be accepted only at Minnetonka Public Works and only during brush drop-off hours on the following days and times:

November expanded Friday and Sunday fall leaf drop-off hours:

The city leaf drop-off site is “bag free.” Residents will unload and/or unbag their leaves and yardwaste onto the large bulk pile and take all empty bags home for reuse or disposal—including paper and compostable bags.  Bring proper equipment, like a stout pitch fork, to unload your truck or trailer load of leaves.

The suggested method is to use many layers of tarps between layers of about a foot of leaves. Use a tarp to gather up and move a small pile of leaves from your yard to your trailer or vehicle, layering the leaves and tarps until the vehicle is full. This makes unloading your leaves easier and faster at the site. All you need to do is flip off the tarps between the layers of leaves.

Sticks and branches smaller than ½ inch in diameter are acceptable with leaves; anything larger goes to the brush pile. For further details on brush, see the city's brush drop-off page. Loads of leaves must be covered during transport.

Information about composting and yard waste management is available from Dean Elstad, public works, at 952-988-8430.