Welcome to our Spring Services Information Hub!
As the seasons change, the Department of Public Works (DPW) is committed to keeping our community clean, safe, and beautiful. From March through October, our range of services kicks into high gear to address the unique needs of the spring and summer months. This includes our essential residential street sweeping program to remove litter and pollutants, specialized alley cleaning to maintain cleanliness and accessibility, comprehensive yard waste collection to support recycling and composting efforts, grass cutting and mowing for public spaces, and dedicated graffiti removal to preserve the aesthetic of our neighborhoods. Explore the sections below to learn more about each service, including schedules, guidelines, and how you can participate in keeping our district vibrant and clean.
Posted Residential Street Sweeping
The Department of Public Works (DPW) will begin posted residential street sweeping on Monday, March 4. The program will run through October 31, and motorists are asked to obey posted signs indicating the schedule of parking restrictions to ensure streets are swept thoroughly.
The residential street sweeping program is an important tool used to keep the District clean. In previous years, DPW sweepers have collected more than 2,000 tons of litter and pollutants as they traveled more than 31,095 miles across the district. DPW also sweeps neighborhoods where parking is restricted, during sweeping hours. DPW will sweep neighborhoods where there are no parking restrictions, as well as sections of arterial roadway when curbsides are available.
To remind motorists of the restrictions, DPW will issue warnings between March 1, and March 10, to vehicles parked during the sweeping periods. After March 8, violators will be subject to $45 fines and relocation which carries a $100 fee. Generally, parking is prohibited for two hours (9:30 am to 11:30 am or 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm) while sweeping is underway. When parking is permitted on only one side of the street, vehicles can park on that side on one day and park on the other side on the following day.
Alley Cleaning
Starting from April and until October, DPW will commence cleaning residential alleys by Ward. During the intervals between cleanings, residents are kindly requested to pick up any litter that may be present in the alleys. If any alleys pose a risk to public safety or have become inaccessible to emergency vehicles, please call 311 to request an alley cleaning. Additionally, beginning in April, the Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program inspectors (SWEEP) will inspect alley conditions and provide necessary education and enforcement measures.
Yard Waste
Yard waste collection is available throughout the year, but it peaks during the spring season. If you are a resident and want to schedule a yard waste collection, simply call 311 to make an appointment. Alternatively, you can visit 311.dc.gov to schedule an appointment or download the 311 mobile app from the Google Play or Apple App Store and use it to schedule your appointment.
DPW has updated its policy for yard waste collection and only paper bags will be accepted for yard waste disposal. This is a change from previous years when plastic bags were acceptable. If you receive DPW's trash and recycling collection services, you can place up to 20 paper bags of yard waste for collection.
Scheduled yard waste collection is an enhancement to the yard waste program. Residents have the option to 1) leave their yard waste in paper bags at the point of trash collection, 2) drop off their yard waste at the Fort Totten Transfer Station, or 3) take a home composting class and learn how to compost at home. Yard waste in plastic bags will be collected as trash.
Yard waste composting is another step in the plan to help the District reach its zero waste goals. Scheduling for yard waste collection allows DPW to accurately keep track of the city’s waste diversion.
If you're planning to dispose of yard waste, please make sure to use paper bags only. If you use plastic bags or include any improper materials in your yard waste, the waste will be labeled with an "Oops!" sticker. Please note that if you have more than 20 paper bags, the additional bags will also be labeled with an "Oops!" sticker. If your yard waste is labeled with an "Oops!" sticker, please re-bag it in paper bags (if it's currently in plastic bags) and schedule a new collection request. This will ensure that your yard waste can be picked up on the next scheduled pick-up date.
What is Yard Waste?
DPW collects yard waste from residences that receive DPW’s trash and recycling collection services. Yard waste consists of the following:
•Leaves
•Grass
•Clippings
•Weeds
•Bulbs
•Twigs
•Pinecones
•Uprooted Plants
•Bundled branches and limbs no more than 4 inches in diameter and that are tied in 4-foot lengths*
DPW will not collect yard waste that includes tree limbs and branches greater than 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length and stumps, dirt, stones, rocks, broken concrete, and broken pottery flowerpots. Please visit DPW’s What Goes Where Tool to learn how to recycle or dispose of these materials.
Grass Cutting & Mowing
DPW’s Landscaping unit conducts seasonal mowing and cutting on all District roadway medians, triangle parks, major corridors/gateways, curbside/roadside grass areas, and District-owned rights of way from April through September. Additionally, DPW mows roadside areas along major District thoroughfares and provides cutbacks to overgrowth throughout the city’s alleyways.
Graffiti Removal
DPW will clean graffiti from public and private property using paint or non-toxic solutions that are applied and then removed with a high-pressure water spray, known as a power wash. The power wash is not suitable for walls with loose or crumbling masonry. Call 311 or visit 311.dc.gov to request either of these services. A waiver of liability form will be provided, which must be signed by the property owner and returned to DPW before abatement will occur on private property. You can download the Graffiti Removal Waiver.
Helping Hands Neighbor Clean Up
DPW helps community groups that organize Saturday neighborhood clean-up projects through the Helping Hand Program. The program will lend tool kits that include five rakes and brooms, two shovels, and 20 trash bags. A $20 refundable deposit is required for all tool kits loaned under the Helping Hand Program. Free compost will be delivered as well for use in neighborhood beautification projects.
DPW will send trucks to collect the bagged trash and a SWEEP (Solid Waste Education and Enforcement Program) inspector will collect the tool kit.
To receive an application for a Helping Hand tool kit for your neighborhood clean-up project, please click here. When the clean-up date is confirmed by a Helping Hand Coordinator, a control number will be assigned for tracking purposes, the event will be added to the Helping Hand calendar, and the tool kit will be delivered.