Arlington County is committed to maintaining clean and healthy streets for all residents. A key part of this commitment is the regular street sweeping program. But why is street sweeping so important? The answer lies in the significant role it plays in protecting our environment and enhancing our community. Street sweeping effectively removes the buildup of debris and pollutants that accumulate on our roads, including sand, salt used during winter, metals, petroleum-based products, and harmful bacteria. Without regular sweeping, these contaminants would be washed away by rain into our local streams, eventually reaching the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay, impacting water quality and ecosystems. This proactive approach to street maintenance covers both commercial and residential areas across Arlington, encompassing approximately 814 lane miles throughout the county.
Preparing for Street Sweeping in Your Arlington Neighborhood
To ensure the street sweeping program is as effective as possible, Arlington County has organized its 59 civic associations into 14 distinct street sweeping zones. This annual program takes place from April to October. Residents play a crucial role in the success of street sweeping by simply moving their vehicles off the street on scheduled sweeping days. This simple action allows the street sweepers to access the curb line and provide a more thorough cleaning. To find out when your neighborhood is scheduled for sweeping, you can view the Residential Street Sweeping Zone Map(PDF, 5MB). This map provides detailed zone boundaries and helps residents identify their sweeping schedule.
It’s worth noting that starting in July 2019, adjustments were made to the street sweeping frequency in residential zones. Due to budget adjustments, the number of annual passes was reduced from seven to four. Residential zones are now swept in March, May, July, and September. Zone borders were also refined at this time to improve the overall efficiency of the sweeping routes, ensuring resources are used effectively to keep Arlington Streets clean.
Arlington Street Sweeping: Your Quick Checklist
To make street sweeping day go smoothly, here’s a simple checklist for Arlington residents:
- Stay Informed: Consult the online schedule to pinpoint your zone’s designated street sweeping day. Knowing the schedule is the first step in preparing your street.
- Prepare Your Street:
- Street sweeping operations typically run from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. On your scheduled day, make sure to relocate your car to your driveway or garage. This is essential for allowing sweepers to access the entire street.
- If you have trees on your property that extend over the curb, consider trimming any low-hanging branches. Please be aware that trees located between the sidewalk and the curb may be publicly-owned, and pruning of these trees should be left to the County.
- Spread the Word: Help your community by reminding your neighbors about the upcoming street sweeping day. The more residents participate, the more effective the sweeping will be.
- Stay Updated: Sign up for street sweeping and leaf season listserv email updates. You can usually find the sign-up box on the relevant Arlington County webpage to receive timely notifications and reminders.
2024-2025 Arlington Street Sweeping Schedule by Zone
Please remember that the following dates are provisional and may be subject to modifications due to weather conditions, equipment availability, or other unforeseen circumstances. Always refer to the Residential Sweeping Zone Map to confirm your specific street zone.
| Zone 1: July 8, Sept. 9, March 17, May 5 |
| Clarendon-Courthouse |
| Colonial Village |
| Lyon Village |
| Zone 2: July 9, Sept. 10, March 18, May 6 |
| Arlington Mill |
| Barcroft |
| Buckingham |
| Zone 3: July 10, Sept. 11, March 19, May 7 |
| Claremont |
| Columbia Forest |
| Zone 4: July 11, Sept. 12, March 20, May 8 |
| Donaldson Run |
| Dover Crystal |
| Zone 5: July 12, Sept. 13, March 21, May 9 |
| Arlingwood |
| Bellevue Forest |
| Country Club Hills/Gulf Branch |
| Zone 6: July 15, Sept. 16, March 24, May 12 |
| Arlington Forest |
| Boulevard Manor |
| Zone 7: July 16, Sept. 17, March 25, May 13 |
| Arlington Ridge/Forest Hills |
| Aurora Highlands |
| Zone 8: July 17, Sept. 18, March 26, May 14 |
| Arlington East Falls Church |
| Zone 9: July 18, Sept. 19, March 27, May 15 |
| Cherrydale |
| Cherrydale Nature Center |
| Maywood |
| Zone 10: July 19, Sept. 20, March 28, May 16 |
| Glebewood |
| Highland Park/Overlee Knolls |
| Langston-Brown |
| Zone 11: July 22, Sept. 23, March 31, May 19 |
| Ashton Heights |
| Ballston-Virginia Square |
| Zone 12: July 23, Sept. 24, April 1, May 20 |
| Alcova Heights |
| Arlington Heights |
| Arlington View |
| Zone 13: July 24, Sept. 25, April 2, May 21 |
| Bluemont |
| Dominion Hills |
| Zone 14: July 25, Sept. 26, April 3, May 22 |
| Chainbridge Forest |
| Rocksprings |
Requesting Street Sweeping and Reporting Issues on Arlington Streets
If you are aware of a specific area in Arlington that would benefit from street sweeping outside of the regular schedule, or if you notice excessive debris accumulation on streets, you can easily submit a street sweeping request. Please contact Christian Blackwell directly with your request. To help expedite the process, be sure to include a detailed description of the location needing attention.
Addressing Litter Control in Arlington
Beyond street sweeping, Arlington County also manages litter control, which involves the manual and vacuum-assisted collection of litter and debris. This service is focused on predetermined routes, particularly in business districts, commercial zones, and areas with high pedestrian traffic. For any inquiries related to litter control or to report a litter issue, please call 703-228-5000 for assistance.
Take Action: Adopt-a-Street in Arlington
For residents looking to take a more active role in keeping Arlington streets pristine, consider volunteering for the Adopt-a-Street program! This initiative allows individuals and groups to adopt a section of road and commit to regular cleanups. Learn more about adopting a section of road and contribute to a cleaner, greener Arlington. By working together, residents and Arlington County can ensure our streets are not only clean but also environmentally healthy for everyone.
