Hurricane & Storm Debris Pickup in Orlando & Orange County, FL: How to Sort It and When It Gets Collected
✓ Last verified against official sources · see sources
Quick answer
- Sort into separate piles at the curb: keep vegetation (limbs, logs, palm fronds), construction debris (fencing, roofing, drywall, carpet, lumber, storm-damaged furniture), and appliances (fridges, washers, water heaters) apart. Orange County says that if vegetative and construction debris are mixed, neither will be picked up. Never mix in household garbage.
- City of Orlando: bag or bundle small yard waste in 4-foot sections for regular crews; big unbundled piles wait for a claw truck or contractor. Report your storm debris online so crews don't miss you; the City says storm debris is collected within about six weeks. Questions: 407.246.2314.
- Unincorporated Orange County: small amounts (up to 3 cubic yards, bags/cans/bundles under 3 feet and 60 lbs) go out with regular weekly yard waste. Bigger storm debris waits for the County's special curbside debris collection, which runs only when the County activates it after a storm. Questions: 311 / 407-836-3111.
- Haul it yourself: the Orange County Landfill (
5901 Young Pine Rd, Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m.) takes yard waste at $48.70/ton and construction debris at $42.70/ton ($10 minimum, rates effective Oct 1, 2026). Porter and McLeod Road transfer stations take yard waste on Saturdays only, charged at the $56.40/ton garbage rate.
First: city or county?
Storm debris rules depend on who collects your trash. An Orlando mailing address doesn't mean you're inside City of Orlando limits. Check the City Limits map. If you're outside city limits and in unincorporated Orange County, Orange County's rules apply. Other cities such as Winter Park, Apopka, Ocoee, and Winter Garden run their own programs.
How to sort your debris (both city and county)
Different trucks pick up each type and take it to different facilities, so mixed piles get left behind. Orange County says that if vegetative and construction debris aren't separated, neither will be picked up.
| Pile | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Small yard waste | Leaves, twigs, small branches, bagged or bundled |
| Large vegetation | Logs, tree limbs, stumps, palm fronds, plants |
| Construction & demolition | Fencing, roofing shingles, drywall, lumber, carpet, tile, glass, metal, plumbing, storm-damaged furniture and mattresses |
| Appliances (white goods) | Refrigerators and freezers (remove all food and secure or remove the doors), washers, dryers, stoves, dishwashers, water heaters, A/C units |
| Electronics | TVs, computers, stereos (City of Orlando lists these separately) |
| Household hazardous waste | Paint, pool and lawn chemicals, oils, batteries. Don't put these in storm piles. See our paint guide and battery guide. |
Where to put the piles: at the curb, at the edge of your property, on the public right-of-way. Don't block the road, sidewalk, or storm drains, and don't stack or lean debris on trees, utility poles, mailboxes, hydrants, or water meters, or under low wires. In the City of Orlando, debris placed between the sidewalk and your home, in backyards, in driveways, or behind fences will not be picked up.
Household garbage keeps going in your cart on your regular day. Both the City and the County say garbage pickup is the first priority after a storm.
City of Orlando storm debris pickup
- Bag or bundle what you can. After a storm, City crews focus first on debris that is bagged or bundled in four-foot sections (duct tape or twine works). Normal yard waste rules are up to 4 cubic yards a week, branches no more than 4 inches thick and 4 feet long, and bags and bundles up to 40 lbs, set out before 6 a.m. on your yard waste day.
- Big piles take longer. The City has limited equipment for large piles. Unbundled piles wait for a claw truck or a debris contractor.
- Report your debris. Use the City's Report Storm Debris page so crews can route to your street. The City says storm debris will be collected within about six weeks.
- Hired a contractor? Tree services and repair contractors must haul away the debris they create. The City won't collect it.
- Gated communities and private streets: out-of-town debris contractors follow FEMA rules and can't collect there.
- Before a storm: don't do major yard work or stack yard waste at the curb when a named storm is coming. Curbside piles can wash into storm drains and cause flooding. If crews haven't collected it, store it against your house.
- Questions: City of Orlando Solid Waste, 407.246.2314 or
[email protected].
Unincorporated Orange County storm debris pickup
- Small amounts go out with regular yard waste. Up to 3 cubic yards (about three ovens) in bags, cans, or bundles under 3 feet and 60 lbs each, on your regular yard waste day. Expect delays: yard waste may be collected in limited amounts and take several passes.
- Bigger storm debris needs the special collection. Fallen trees, large limbs, fencing, and roofing are picked up by separate contractors with claw trucks, but only when Orange County activates storm-debris collection after a storm. Watch Orange County Emergency Information and local news for start dates.
- Storm-related only. Don't put out old appliances, electronics, household hazardous waste, or tires that weren't storm damage. Those go out through regular large-item pickup.
- Gated or private communities: the County may not remove vegetative debris from private property. Residents can still use regular yard waste service, and an HOA or management company representative can call 407-836-3111 to arrange an assistance option, such as moving debris to the public right-of-way outside the gates or using a County-placed roll-off.
- Questions: Orange County 311 (407-836-3111) for storm debris, or the Solid Waste Hotline (407-836-6601, 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. business days) for regular collection.
Hauling it yourself: Orange County disposal sites
Open to all residents. Rates effective October 1, 2026. Minimum charge $10.00. Uncovered loads are charged double, and mixed loads pay the higher rate, so sort your truck too.
| Site | Hours (residents) | Yard waste | Construction debris (Class III) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County Landfill, 5901 Young Pine Rd, Orlando 32829 | Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | $48.70/ton | $42.70/ton (landfill only) |
| Porter Transfer Station, 1326 Good Homes Rd, Orlando 32818 | Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Saturdays only, $56.40/ton | Not accepted |
| McLeod Road Transfer Station, 5000 L.B. McLeod Rd, Orlando 32811 | Mon–Sat 8 a.m.–5 p.m. | Saturdays only, $56.40/ton | Not accepted |
All three close on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Payment is cash, check, or major credit card. Phone: 407-836-6601. More details are in our landfill and transfer station guide.
Need it gone faster? Paid pickup
If you can't wait weeks for a claw truck, live in a gated community the County can't serve, or have debris stuck in the backyard where crews won't go, a local hauling crew can load it for you.
What we couldn't verify
- Whether storm-debris collection is active right now. Special curbside collection only runs after the City or County announces it for a specific storm. Check the City of Orlando and Orange County emergency pages or call the numbers above.
- County storm-debris timelines. Orange County hasn't published a standard timeline. Past storms took several weeks and multiple passes.
- Temporary storm-debris drop-off sites. Orange County mentions drop-off sites that open after some storms, but locations and dates are announced per storm.
Frequently asked questions
How do I sort hurricane debris for pickup in Orlando?
Put each type in its own pile at the curb: bagged or bundled small yard waste, large vegetation such as logs and big limbs, construction debris such as fencing, roofing, drywall, carpet, lumber and storm-damaged furniture, and appliances such as refrigerators (food removed, doors secured or removed), washers, dryers and water heaters. Household hazardous waste and electronics are separate categories too. Don't mix household garbage into any storm pile, and keep piles away from trees, poles, mailboxes, hydrants, meters and storm drains.
How long does storm debris pickup take in the City of Orlando?
The City of Orlando says storm debris will be collected within about six weeks, and asks residents to report the debris on their property online so crews don't miss it. Bagged or bundled yard waste in four-foot sections gets picked up first; large unbundled piles wait for claw trucks or contractors.
What happens if I mix tree limbs and construction debris in one pile?
Orange County says vegetative storm debris must always be separated from construction debris such as shingles, fencing, lumber and drywall; if they are not separated, neither will be picked up, and mixed debris is not accepted at drop-off sites. The two types go to different disposal facilities. At the Orange County Landfill, a mixed load is charged the higher tonnage rate.
Will Orange County pick up storm debris in my gated community?
Usually not directly. Orange County says it may not remove vegetative debris from private or gated communities because they are private property. Residents can still set out up to 3 cubic yards with regular yard waste, and an HOA or management company representative can call 407-836-3111 to arrange one of the County's assistance options, such as moving debris to the public right-of-way outside the gates. In the City of Orlando, out-of-town debris contractors following FEMA rules can't collect in gated communities or on private streets.
Sources
- City of Orlando: Report Storm Debris (Four debris piles (bagged/bundled yard waste, large vegetation, construction debris, appliances), online debris report, backyard/driveway/behind-fence debris not collected, contractors must haul their own debris, collection within about six weeks)
- City of Orlando: Hurricane Preparedness (Solid Waste Division) (Don't do major yard work or stack yard waste at the curb before a named storm, crews prioritize debris bagged or bundled in four-foot sections, large piles removed by claw trucks/contractors, out-of-town debris contractors can't collect in gated communities or on private streets, Solid Waste 407.246.2314)
- City of Orlando: Separating Storm Debris guide (PDF) (Six debris categories, debris between the sidewalk and your home is not picked up, place at property edge if there is no sidewalk, don't stack or lean on trees, poles, mailboxes, hydrants)
- City of Orlando: Solid Waste Division (yard waste rules) (Regular yard waste limits (4 cubic yards per week, branches max 4 inches diameter and 4 feet long, 40 lb bundles and bags, set out before 6 a.m.))
- Orange County Utilities: Utilities Storm Information (Separate vegetative, construction, and white-goods piles, yard waste vs. vegetative storm debris definitions (3 cubic yards, under 3 feet and 60 lbs), garbage prioritized after a storm, Solid Waste Hotline 407-836-6601)
- Orange County Newsroom: After the Storm, A Guide to Sorting Debris for Pickup (Aug 2025) (County may activate special curbside storm-debris collection, storm debris pickup is for storm-related waste only (no old appliances, electronics, hazardous waste, or tires), placement on public right-of-way)
- Orange County Public Works: Emergency Debris Removal (Private/Gated Communities) (Gated/private-community options (HOA calls 407-836-3111), no-mixed-debris rule (if not separated, neither is picked up), private-property removal only under FEMA policy)
- Orange County Utilities: Landfill and Transfer Stations (Hours & Oct 1, 2026 Rates) (Landfill and transfer station addresses and hours, yard waste $48.70/ton at landfill and $56.40/ton at transfer stations (Saturdays only), Class III $42.70/ton landfill only, $10 minimum, uncovered loads double, mixed loads charged the higher rate)
- City of Orlando: Do I Live in City Limits? (Map lookup for City of Orlando vs. unincorporated Orange County)
All sources re-checked on Oct 25, 2026.