The colorful autumn leaves on sidewalks and streets simply look beautiful. Do you remember how fascinated you were as a child by the rustling sound as you walked through the sea of leaves? When it rains, the leaves quickly become a slippery hazard. For this reason, everyone is obliged to sweep the sidewalk in front of their front door. In this article you will find answers to the most important (legal) questions.
When and how do I have to sweep and dispose of leaves?
When sweeping leaves, cleaning is required from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from 9 a.m. on weekends. Leaf vacuums can be used to a limited extent from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Leaves can be disposed of at the recycling center, organic waste bin or composting. Observe individual rules depending on the municipality.
Legal regulations
Time
Unlike us humans, trees do not rest at night when they shed their leaves. However, night owls should not expect to find completely cleaned sidewalks late in the evening or early in the morning. During the day you are obliged to sweep leaves at the following times:
- weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- on weekends from 9 a.m.
Aids
Sweeping leaves with a broom is quite laborious. However, there are restricted times for using a leaf vacuum (€39.00 at Amazon):
- 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
However, if you have a low-noise device, you can use it during normal times. Silent leaf vacuums are marked accordingly.
Disposal
Under no circumstances should you dispose of your swept leaves in the street drain. At the latest with the next heavy rain there is a risk of a comeback. Since the leaves cause street flooding, it is advisable not only to clear the sidewalks of the leaves, but also to clean the drains every now and then, if possible. You have the following options for disposal:
- Disposal at the recycling center
- Disposal in the organic waste bin
- Compost leaves
In high season, many municipalities set up special containers for leaf disposal.
Individual rules
Some municipalities have different regulations regarding the time and intensity of cleaning. It's best to find out more on the homepage or by phone. Sometimes you are even obliged to clear the leaves from the sidewalk as well as the road. As a tenant, the responsibility for leaf disposal should be regulated in writing in the rental agreement. With a bit of luck, the local sweeping office will take care of the removal themselves.
