Akron · City services · Published 2026-10-07 · Reviewed 2026-10-21
Akron leaf removal starts Nov. 9 — leaves go on the devil strip, not the street
Akron’s annual leaf removal program begins Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, with two changes the city says will speed collection and keep streets clear: residents should rake leaves onto the devil strip (the grass area between sidewalk and street) instead of into the street, and the city will no longer publish anticipated start dates for individual wards. Instead, signs go up in each ward about 48 hours before crews arrive. Collection proceeds through the 10 wards in a posted order, starting with Ward 5 and ending with Ward 10; each ward takes several days. A progress tracker lives at AkronOhio.gov/Leaves.
What it means for residents
Practical impact
Two things to do differently this year: rake to the devil strip (you can start any time — no need to wait for signs), and watch for the 48-hour ward signs or check the online progress tracker instead of relying on a published per-ward schedule. Leaves in the street can impede traffic and slow crews.
Key facts
Verification record
- Starts
- Monday, Nov. 9, 2026
- Key change 1
- Leaves go on the devil strip, NOT in the street
- Key change 2
- No published per-ward start dates; 48-hour advance signs in each ward
- Ward order
- 5, 3, 9, 7, 6, 4, 8, 1, 2, 10 (each ward takes several days)
- Tracker
- AkronOhio.gov/Leaves
Official source
Show the work
City of Akron press release (Oct. 7, 2026)
The official announcement remains the primary record. The summary is an independent rewrite and must preserve this link.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need to wait for the signs before raking?
No. The city says residents may rake leaves to the devil strip at any time ahead of collection.
Why did the city stop posting ward start dates?
Per the city release, fixed estimates caused repeated schedule changes; the 48-hour sign system and devil-strip placement are meant to make crews more efficient and keep leaf piles out of traffic.
Corrections
Accuracy and review
Every published summary will record its verification source, publication time, last-review time, and any correction. Errors will be corrected visibly rather than silently rewritten.