Brush Pickup

Curbside Brush Collection Program

The City of Portage operates a quarterly brush collection program that includes the collection of loose brush. For collection purposes, the city is divided into four collection zones. View the collection zone map (PDF).

2026 Spring Brush Collection Schedule

  • Zone 1: Week of March 30
  • Zone 2: Week of April 6
  • Zone 3: Week of April 13
  • Zone 4: Week of April 20

NOTE: The 2026 spring collection begins the week of March 30, 2026 and includes the collection of brush AND leaves - including loose leaves, bagged leaves, and ornamental grasses due to the early suspension of the 2025 Fall Leaf Collection Program.

Program Reminders

  • Residents are asked to place brush at the curbside by 7 AM on the designated Monday for the collection zone. Branches should be between 4 and 6 feet long and less than 3 inches in diameter. Each street will be cleared one time and each zone will be cleared within its designated week. Crews will not return to pick up items placed out late.
  • Crews make every effort to minimize lawn damage resulting from the use of heavy equipment for the collection process. To assist crews and avoid potential damage to lawns, residents are asked to please move brush to the edge of the curb on the Monday of their collection week. 
  • Brush may also be placed directly onto the street, but must not obstruct traffic or pedestrian use of the roadway. A small amount of debris may be left after the brush is removed; citizens are asked to assist with the cleanup of the leftover debris.
  • Residents are reminded that the collection of materials in each zone BEGINS on Monday. Materials may not be collected on Monday; however, each zone will be cleared of materials by the end of the designated collection week.

What Will Not Be Collected?

  • Brush and branches generated from the removal of a tree with a trunk greater than 4 inches in diameter. No parts of a whole tree removed will be collected.  
  • Brush and branches generated from professional tree removal services.
  • Firewood, lumber, timber, building materials, or railroad ties.
  • Roots, tree stumps, or vines.
  • Grass clippings, flowers, weeds, garden materials, leaves, or ornamental grasses.
  • Items placed curbside after 7 AM on Monday of the designated week.

Note: The Quarterly Curbside Brush Collection Program is not performed for commercial establishments, churches, or schools, or on private streets (unless every property owner on a private street has signed an indemnification form). Please contact the Department of Public Works at (269) 329-4444 with any questions.