On-Demand Yard Services

City code requires all leaves be properly mulched or removed from yards and stored in approved bags or containers. These containers should be at the curb for pick up the first week in December on your regularly scheduled yard waste collection day.

If you don’t mulch or remove leaves by that time, the City will place a 24-hour notice on your front door. If the City is required to clean up your leaves after that time, the property owner will be assessed any associated costs. This timeline is important because the City’s refuse collection company is subject to an end-of-season deadline for leaf removal each year that can’t be extended.

It’s important to remove leaves from your lawn because leaf cover blocks your lawn from getting the sunlight, water, nutrients and air flow it needs to thrive. It can also cause conditions like snow mold and brown patch which might even kill your grass. Sometimes uncollected leaves also end up being blown into the storm drain system, blocking pipes and resulting in flooded roadways that can freeze in low temperatures, creating hazardous conditions.

Mulching is another effective way to deal with your leaves and can speed decomposition, providing nutrients to your lawn. Just take the catcher off any rotary-action mower, and mow over the leaf clutter until you have dime-sized pieces. You’ll know you’re done when you can see about half an inch of grass through the mulched leaf layer.

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Mower 2

If you need assistance with lawn and yard maintenance, including grass cutting, leaf removal, snow removal and more, the City is aware of various “on-demand” companies servicing Sterling Heights and the surrounding area:

LawnGuru

LawnGuru, a local company based out of Ann Arbor, is an on-demand service that can be reached through a free smartphone app available on both Android and iOS devices or on a desktop computer. Customers can order a single-day service, a seasonal contract, or a combination by a certified contractor and pay for the services via credit card. LawnGuru’s on-demand service provides an option for residents who are not interested in signing up for a seasonal snow plowing or lawn mowing contract to instead order service on an as-needed basis.
Those with a smartphone or tablet who would like to download the LawnGuru app can simply go to the iTunes or Google Play store and search for the free app to download. If you don’t have smartphone access, you can place an order via their online registration option.

Plowz & Mowz

Plowz & Mowz calls itself a “remote control for your lawn.” The company gives users a way to schedule services with the touch of a button, with no contracts necessary. When a homeowner notices his grass is getting long, he clicks “Schedule a Mow” on the Mowz app and the company assigns a service provider automatically. The assigned professional will arrive and do the job, and Mowz will bill the user’s credit card when the work is complete. Mowz also sends the user a photo of his mowed lawn for verification purposes. Homeowners can use Mowz to schedule one-time or recurring weekly service. More information.

LawnStarter

LawnStarter gives homeowners control over the prices and services they pay for when they hire a yard care team. Users enter their address and requested services into LawnStarter’s platform, and they’re provided with a personalized quote. (Standard yard care services with LawnStarter include mowing, edging, and blowing.) They can confirm the start date, frequency, and payment information online. Homeowners are then prompted to leave feedback after each service through LawnStarter’s mobile app. LawnStarter guarantees that its service pros are fully vetted and meet all insurance requirements. More information.

If you are a low-income senior, please view the Macomb Community Action or call Community Relations to inquire about our SHINE program at 586-446-2470.

Midtown Composting

If you're also interested in composting, Midtown Composting currently services 48312 and 48313 zip codes. Residents in those two zip codes can sign up online. The company provides a bucket for your composting materials. Each week, they pick up the bucket and replace it with a clean one. In the spring, you then receive 15 gallons of compost for your gardens. More information.