Updated: Winter storm cleanup information

A special curbside collection of tree limbs for city residents will start Feb. 27. If a resident does not place storm-related tree debris on their curb by Feb. 26, the City cannot guarantee pickup.

There is no special fee assessed to city residents for this limb collection.

If you are eligible for this service, you do not need to call in or register online to be placed on the cleanup list; however, there are some guidelines we’d like you to follow:

• Stack debris loosely along the curb, sidewalk, or street edge in one row
• To prevent damage to your property, keep items 5 feet away from your trash cart, mailbox, fences or walls, water meter, telephone connection box, and parked cars.
• Only cut limbs enough to move them to the curb. Branches 5-20 feet are best, because larger limbs of up to 20 feet are easier for the grappling trucks to grab. If the tree limbs need to be reduced in size for removal, the contractors will take care of that.
• Have tree debris to the curb or street edge by Feb. 26. If you were not able to get your debris to the curb by Feb. 26, we cannot guarantee it will be picked up.
• Do NOT bundle limbs
• Do NOT block sidewalks
• Do NOT place limbs on streets or near storm drains
• Do NOT pile limbs next to or on electrical boxes, fire hydrants, sewage clean outs, and mail boxes
• Do NOT place any items under low-hanging tree limbs or power lines
• Do NOT mix in other debris. If limbs and brush are mixed with other material, such as sheetrock or flooring, then the limbs will not be picked up.
• Try to avoid parking on the street during the day and don’t put your trash carts in front of your debris pile.

The City’s contractor will start pickup Feb. 27 and will work from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week until they have gone through the entire city.

Neither City staff nor its contractor will go onto private property beyond the street edge to cut up trees or limbs or move material to the curb. Residents who need help cutting up or removing tree limbs can contact the Austin Disaster Relief Network or hire a private company.

For answers to frequently asked questions about this special collection, see the FAQ section below.

Georgetown residents and some municipal utility districts* have several options through their regular Texas Disposal Systems services. Call TDS at 512-930-1715 with questions.

• (best option)Curbside yard trimming pickup: First recycling day of the month. Limited to up to three cubic yards (about one pickup truck), and it must be bundled and left on the curb without blocking the street or sidewalk. More details and bundling requirements here. Because of the timing of the storm, some might have missed the February pickup. You will not be cited if the limbs remain in the right of way until the March pickup.
• (next best option)Bulky waste pickup: Call TDS at 512-930-1715 to schedule a bulky waste pickup. Limited to up to three cubic yards (about one pickup truck), and it must be bundled and left on the curb without blocking the street or sidewalk. Customers get four free per fiscal year, and it will be scheduled for your next trash pickup. More information and bundling requirements here.
• Transfer Station Drop Off: Georgetown residents may also drop off up to three cubic yards (about one pickup truck) of yard trimmings each month at the Transfer Station, 250 W.L. Walden Road. Please bring a copy of your utility bill to show proof of residence to have your fees waived. If you have more than three cubic yards of debris, please see additional drop off locations and fees under the “Storm debris drop off” section below.

*These three services are also available to the following Municipal Utility Districts:

• Berry Creek Highlands: Located at the west side of Hwy. 195 at the southeast corner of Hwy. 195 and Shell Spur Road
• Parmer Ranch (a.k.a. Northwest Williamson County 2): Located east of Williams Drive and to the west of CR 245, on the north and south side of Ronald Reagan Boulevard
• Parkside on the River (a.k.a. Parkside on the River MUD 1 and Williamson County MUD 25): Located south of Hwy. 29 at Water Oak Parkway and north of RM 2243/Leander Road between the Preserve Subdivision and the River Ridge Subdivision
• Oaks at San Gabriel (a.k.a. West Williamson County 1): Located north of Hwy. 29 and east of the Cimarron Hills subdivision
• Teravista (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 15): Located east of I-35 and north of University Boulevard
• Water Oak (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 25): Located south of Hwy. 29 at Water Oak Parkway and north of RM 2243/Leander Road (north side of neighborhood)
• Cimarron Hills (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 26): Located along Hwy. 29, west Oaks at San Gabriel neighborhood.
• Crescent Bluff (a.k.a. Williamson County MUD 30): Located west of I-35, south of Hwy. 29 and west of the Water Oak subdivision

The monthly, regular services listed above are available to in-City residents and eligible municipal utility districts, because of the fees they pay. The special curbside limb collection and additional drop-off location will be paid for with City property taxes. Residents in the extraterritorial jurisdiction, who do not pay those costs, will not be eligible for any of these services.

Residents in the ETJ and commercial customers should contact their solid waste provider to learn about their options. You also can hire a private contractor or haul debris to a collection site—fees and limits apply. 

Here are some other resources for residents and businesses who need to drop off tree and storm debris (see above for information about the additional drop-off location free for Georgetown residents):

• Georgetown Transfer Station, 250 W.D. Waldon Drive: $8.25 per cubic yard (a pickup truck bed is about 3 cubic yards, so would cost about $25)
• Organics By Gosh, 2040 FM 969 (in Austin): Pickup Truck $32; trailer $62
• Killeen Transfer Station, 12200 Hwy. 195: Nonresidents pay $4.62 per 100 pounds (a pickup truck bed is about 3 cubic yards, so would cost about $40)

The City of Georgetown has contracted with a landscaping firm to pick up tree limbs in City limits that resulted from the winter storm Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2023. This FAQ addresses key questions about the special pickup.

Am I eligible for the special curbside tree debris pickup?
The City’s contractor will collect tree debris left on the curb by Feb. 26 of every resident living inside the city of Georgetown. To find out whether you live inside the Georgetown city limits, please enter your address into this map. Georgetown city limits are denoted by the light orange shading. If you still aren’t sure, please email customercare@georgetown.org.

This complimentary service will be funded by the City’s general fund, so only City of Georgetown residents are eligible for this service. All other area residents should refer to the options listed above. 

When will the tree limb pickup begin and end?
Tree limb pickup is expected to start Feb. 27. Limbs and brush needed to be piled at the curb by Sunday, Feb. 26. Pickup crews will work 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

An estimate for how long the special, curbside pickup will take is difficult, because we cannot make a true assessment of the amount of debris due to limbs not at the curb. The City will work with our contractor to move as quickly and efficiently as possible while assuring the work is done safety and completely.

The cleanup effort will be conducted street by street across the city. A contracted debris monitor will be accompanying the contractors to monitor the work.

How much will I be charged for the special tree limb and debris collection?
There is no special fee assessed to Georgetown residents for this limb and debris collection. The cleanup is a City service to residents funded by the general fund, so only City of Georgetown residents are eligible for this service.

Who is performing the special curbside pickup?
The City has hired a private contractor to provide the special curbside pickup service. A contracted debris monitor will be accompanying the contractors to monitor the work.

What if I am a senior, disabled, do not have the necessary equipment, or the limbs are too large/heavy for me to place at the curb?
Neither City staff nor its contractors will go onto private property beyond the street edge to cut up trees or limbs or move material to the curb. Those who need help cutting up or removing tree limbs can contact the Austin Disaster Relief Network or should hire a private company.

How long should I anticipate the tree limbs to remain at the curb before they get picked up?
Limbs and brush should have been piled at the curb by Sunday, Feb. 26. An estimate for how long the special, curbside pickup will take is difficult, because we cannot make a true assessment of the amount of debris due to limbs not at the curb. The City will work with our contractor to move as quickly and efficiently as possible while assuring the work is done safety and completely.

Georgetown residents who can’t make the Feb. 26 deadline should set brushy items at the curb on their first recycling day of the month. Texas Disposal Systems will collect any remaining yard trimmings at that time.

If our neighborhood doesn’t have green space between the curb and the sidewalk, where do we put the limbs?
Please put debris behind the sidewalk if there’s no space between the sidewalk and road. The trucks can still get it. Try to get it as close to the curb as possible without blocking streets, sidewalks, storm drains, hydrants, etc.

Will the City contractors be required to have any identification?
Information will be provided to the City’s contractor that states they are working for the City and there will be a City escort with each contractor.

Will the City contractor be contacting me personally or asking for any type of payment?
No. The City’s contractor for limb and debris removal will not be knocking on doors or trying to contact residents. If needed, City of Georgetown employees will reach out to contact you about the collection at your residence. No contractor working for the City of Georgetown will be asking for information or payment from you.

Be aware that after a severe weather event, debris removal and repair contractors may be coming to our area and contacting residents. If you do choose to hire a firm to remove limbs or debris, do not make any payments before the work is completed.

What if I have other questions?
If you have additional questions that were not addressed in the FAQ, please contact City of Georgetown Customer Care at customercare@georgetown.org or call 512-930-3640.

If a damaged tree is in the public right of way, and the property owner acts to trim or cut down that damaged tree, can they be reimbursed by the City? If the property owner does not act, will the City come out and maintain that tree?
If a tree is on private property, but in the public right of way, it is the individual property owner’s responsibility to maintain the tree.

Will the City reimburse property owners for damage to their property from a tree that is on private property but in the public right of way?
If a right of way tree damages private property, the resident should remove the tree and address any damage through their private insurance. The City will not go on private property to remove or cut down trees or limbs. The City will not reimburse the homeowner.

If a cable or communications line is damage, who will make the repairs?
The telecommunications company that owns and maintains the line will make the repairs. The City’s Electric Utility is in close communication with both Optimum and Frontier to advocate for quick resolution of downed telecommunication lines.