What fits at the Hamilton County yard trimmings drop-off?
Brush and tree branches fit if they are cut no longer than 4 feet and are no larger than 12 inches in diameter. Hamilton County’s page says so in one line: “Brush and tree branches must be cut no longer than 4 feet and must be no larger than 12 inches in diameter.”
The county runs three public sites for yard trimmings. The page says: “All material collected by this program is composted or mulched and does not end up in the landfill.” Material moves to compost, not trash.
Does the drop-off take stumps?
The county page does not mention stumps. It does not list them as accepted. It does not list them as refused.
That is all the page says. This post does not guess beyond it. A stump is not a branch, and the limits on the page are written for brush and tree branches. If you plan to haul a stump, call Hamilton County Recycling and Solid Waste first.
Two rules on the page also matter for stump hauling. The page says “No trailers longer than 8 feet or trucks larger than pickups.” Bundles must not be heavier than 50 pounds. A whole stump can break both limits, so a call to the county is the safe step.
What are the full rules?
The page lists these items. They apply to every site.
| Rule | What the page says |
|---|---|
| Brush size | Cut no longer than 4 feet, no larger than 12 inches in diameter |
| Bundles | Brush and tree branches must be bundled, not heavier than 50 pounds |
| Containers | Yard trimmings come in containers or bags, brown paper bags preferred |
| Commercial | Commercial vehicles or commercial establishments cannot be accepted |
| Vehicles | No trailers longer than 8 feet or trucks larger than pickups |
| Not accepted | Pallets, boards, nails, fence, wire, bricks, stones, soil |
| Who | Hamilton County residents only |
| Dumping | Illegal dumping prohibited |
Containers and plastic bags will be returned. Christmas trees need all ornaments, lights, tinsel and decorations removed.
Where are the sites, and when are they open?
The page lists three sites. All three are listed as open from March 21, 2026, to December 6, 2026. Hours differ by site, so check the county page before you drive.
| Site | Location | Hours listed |
|---|---|---|
| Oakdale Elementary School | 3850 Virginia Court, Green Township | Saturdays and Sundays, 8am to 12pm |
| Bzak Landscaping | 3295 Turpin Lane (off State Route 32), Anderson Township | Saturdays and Sundays, 11:30am to 5:00pm; also Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 5:00pm |
| Rumpke Sanitary Landfill | 3800 Struble Road, Colerain Township | Saturdays and Sundays, 8am to 12pm |
The page says the sites will be closed on Labor Day (Monday, September 7th, 2026) and Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26th, 2026). The page was read on October 26, 2026. The season ends December 6, 2026, so check the county page for the 2027 dates.
What if my stump does not fit?
You still have choices. Cincinnati curbside yard waste has its own limit: it refuses “Logs or stumps thicker than 6” in diameter.” Read what Cincinnati yard waste pickup won’t take for those rules.
Many property owners hire a company for stump grinding, which reduces the stump to wood chips. Another route is to dig the stump out. Compare both in stump grinding vs stump removal.
Keep in mind that the county sites accept residents’ material only. The page says commercial vehicles are out. That rule is about the drop-off, not about whether a company can grind your stump. Cincinnati Stump Grinding is a private company and is not part of any county program.
If you live in the city, see stump grinding in Cincinnati for local pages.
Next step
Read stump grinding vs stump removal to pick a route for your stump. Call (513) 587-6772 or send photos for a free estimate.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Hamilton County drop-off take stumps?
The county page does not mention stumps. It lists brush and tree branches up to 12 inches in diameter and 4 feet long. Because stumps are not named either way, call the county before you haul one.
How big can brush be at a Hamilton County drop-off site?
Brush and tree branches must be cut no longer than 4 feet and be no larger than 12 inches in diameter. They must be bundled, and bundles cannot be heavier than 50 pounds.
Can a contractor or business use the drop-off?
The page says yard trimmings in commercial vehicles or from commercial establishments cannot be accepted. It also says the sites are for Hamilton County residents only, and no trucks larger than pickups.
Terms on this page
Sources
Written by Cincinnati Stump Grinding and checked against the sources above on October 26, 2026. City rules and product guidance change, so check the linked page before you act.