Gutter cleaning San Jose
San Jose gutters, from the leaf pile at the curb to the creek
In San Jose a gutter clean-out ends at the curb. The city collects yard trimmings set out loose in the street at no extra charge, so leaves pulled from a roof can go into a pile for the weekly pickup, within its size and spacing limits. What has to stay out of the street is the rinse: water that enters San José's storm drains flows untreated into the nearest creek or river and on to the Bay.
- Free to request, no obligation to hire
- Up to five local pros who take this work can reply
- Rules on this page checked against 7 public sources, October 2026
Asked most
San Jose gutter questions, answered from the city's own rules
Can the leaves from my gutters go in the street for San Jose's yard trimmings pickup?
Yes. San José collects yard trimmings set out loose in the street at no extra charge. Keep the pile to 5 by 5 feet or less, at least a foot from the curb, 5 feet from carts and cars, and out of bike lanes and red zones. Put it out no more than 24 hours before collection, don't park on it, and sweep up what the truck leaves behind.
Do I need a permit to cut back the street tree that keeps filling our gutters?
Yes. Pruning a street tree is the property owner's responsibility in San José, and it requires a free permit from the city's Trees and Landscaping section. The city also wants overhanging branches kept at least 14 feet above the street. Cut limbs can go in the yard trimmings pile only if they are under 5 feet long and less than 6 inches across.
Is it all right to hose the muck from our downspouts into the street?
No. Municipal Code 15.14.515 prohibits discharging vegetation, yard clippings, sediment and sand into the storm sewer system, and San José's storm drains carry water untreated to the nearest creek or river and then the Bay. Catch the sludge on a tarp or in a bucket and bag it. A spill or discharge into a storm drain or street gutter can be reported to the city through its online complaint form.
