Brussels residents must clear leaves from pavement or face fines

Just as with snow in the winter, Brussels residents are required to clear fallen leaves from the pavement in front of their home or face fines of up to €350.

Fallen leaves on the pavement are the responsibility of the occupant of the property, whether they are a homeowner or a tenant. 

"The regional authorities bear a large share of the responsibility for these leaves," said Adel Lassouli, spokesperson for the capital’s public cleanliness agency, Bruxelles-Propreté. 

"We take care of our own share, but there is also work to be done by everyone. Unfortunately, Bruxelles-Propreté is not equipped or staffed to clear the area in front of every property. Everyone must sweep in front of their own door."

Bruxelles-Propreté workers clear leaves from public spaces from 12 October to 11 December, using equipment that includes leaf vacuums which can collect and compact up to 50m³ of fallen leaves in a matter of hours.

Residents are responsible for their pavements, verges and gutters bordering their homes. In some towns, council workers may sweep in front of residents’ doors, but this remains a task that legally falls to the residents themselves under penalty of a fine. 

“This is a job that will constantly depend on weather conditions,” Lassouli told RTBF. 

“What we observed last year - and to a lesser extent this year - was premature leaf fall due to the drought and the heatwave. 

"On some regional avenues, leaves were already falling from the end of August and the start of September. 

"Over the last few days, with the storm and strong winds, the number of falling leaves has increased significantly."

Lassouli explained that leaf removal is done first and foremost on the tram tracks. 

“Damp fallen leaves create a thin film that reduces the tram’s grip and increases braking distances,” he added.

“This can therefore pose a risk not only to tram drivers, of course, but also to all road users, such as pedestrians or cyclists travelling nearby.” 

Subsequent priorities are cycle paths, to prevent people from slipping, and regional roads, which fall under the remit of Bruxelles-Propreté. 

The leaf-clearing teams also pay special attention to drain covers: “By clearing the drain grates, we ensure that rainwater is drained away properly, thereby reducing the risk of flooding during autumn storms.” 

Brussels’ deputy mayor for public cleanliness Anas Ben Abdelmoumen (PS) emphasised the importance of the role that residents are expected to play when it comes to their own properties. 

“We have installed almost 80 bins on the streets so that they can dispose of their leaves free of charge, [and] the fine is €25 per metre of unkempt pavement,” Ben Abdelmoumen said.