How Madison Large Item Pickup Works (Work Orders and Set-Out Rules)
Updated
Short answer
You file a Large Item Work Order online, choose a Sunday to set items out, and city crews collect them during the following work week. Items must be under 8 feet long, kept 4 feet from obstructions, and metal and appliances go in a separate pile. Properties with more than 8 units are excluded.
Step by step
- Complete the work order before anything goes out. You list the items and choose your set-out Sunday. If an item has a fee, you pay it in the system.
- Set the items out on that Sunday, not earlier and not later. There is no sticker for scheduled items.
- Crews collect during the work week after your Sunday. Holidays, fall leaf collection and winter storms can delay it.
Set-out rules
- Each item under 8 feet long.
- Separate from carts, brush and yard waste.
- 4 feet from trees, cars, poles, mailboxes, hydrants and other obstructions; not under low wires or branches.
- Not in the street and not blocking the sidewalk.
- Metal and appliances in one pile, furniture and lumber in another, because different crews collect them.
Who can't use it
Since January 1, 2025, apartments, condominiums and all properties with more than 8 units are excluded; see buildings over 8 units. The Streets Division also does not collect private dumpsters such as WM Bagsters. If a neighbor's items have sat out more than a week, the city suggests a Junk, Trash, Debris report through Report-a-Problem.
Quick answers
Do I need a sticker for Madison large item pickup?
No. Scheduled items need no sticker; you just set them out on the Sunday you chose in the work order.
How long do I wait after setting items out?
Crews collect sometime during the work week after your set-out Sunday. Holidays, fall leaf collection and storms can delay it.
Rather not haul it yourself?
Tell us what needs to go and where. A local crew sorts the recycling, donation and landfill streams for you and replies with a price first.