Yard Waste & Outdoor Junk Removal Hemet, CA
We’re a local Hemet crew that hauls off yard waste and outdoor junk — tree limbs, brush, grass, leaves, old fencing, sheds, hot tubs, playsets, patio furniture, storm debris, the works — load it by hand, and get the green stuff to the composter and the metal to the scrapper instead of just burying it. One call and the yard’s clear.
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Yard Waste & Outdoor Junk Removal Hemet, CA — Branches, Fencing, Hot Tubs, and More
You finally tackled the backyard — trimmed the trees, pulled the dead shrubs, tore out the busted fence — and now there’s a pile of branches, a rotted section of wood fence, and a broken patio set sitting in the side yard drying out in the Hemet sun. Your green waste cart holds about three feet of it, the rest is too big, and pile-burning isn’t an option most of the year. Sound familiar?
That’s exactly what we clear. We’re a local Hemet crew that hauls off yard waste and outdoor junk — tree limbs, brush, grass, leaves, old fencing, sheds, hot tubs, playsets, patio furniture, storm debris, the works — load it by hand, and get the green stuff to the composter and the metal to the scrapper instead of just burying it. One call and the yard’s clear.
Here’s the Thing About Outdoor Junk in Hemet
What Outdoor Junk We Remove
If it lives in the yard, the side lot, or out back, we’ll haul it:
Branches, Limbs & Tree Trimmings
From a pruning job or a limb that came down in the wind.
Old Fencing
Wood, chain-link, vinyl, and the posts (concrete footings too).
Above-Ground Pools & Playsets/Swing Sets
Outdoor Scrap
Rusted equipment, old mowers, wheelbarrows, garden junk.
Brush, Weeds, Leaves & Grass Clippings
Including that spring weed explosion.
Sheds
We’ll tear down and haul the whole thing.
Patio Furniture, Umbrellas, BBQ Grills & Fire Pits
Palm Fronds & Stumps
The stuff the county won’t take as “clean green waste” (more on that below).
Tumbleweeds & Dead Vegetation
The valley specialty.
Hot Tubs & Spas
Including the ones wedged into a tight backyard or up on a deck.
Storm & Wind Debris
After a big blow.
Landscaping Tear-Out
Old sod, planters, pavers, decorative rock, railroad ties.
Big landscaping tear-out or a heavy load of dirt and rock? Tell us the material and volume up front — dense inert loads are priced a little differently — and we’ll give you a straight number.
How Our Yard Waste and Outdoor Junk Removal Process Works
Send a Photo or Describe the Pile
Text or call +1 (951) 717-9961 with pictures, or just tell us — “a truck’s worth of branches,” “old hot tub,” “tear out 60 feet of fence.” We give you a firm, upfront price.
Pick Your Window
Same-day and next-day slots across the valley, or scheduled cleanups timed to your landscaping project or a defensible-space deadline.
We Load It — All of It
A background-checked crew hauls every branch, board, and post out by hand, from the backyard, the slope, or the side gate. You don’t drag a thing to the curb.
We Sort, Compost, Recycle & Dispose Right
Clean green waste goes to the composter, metal fencing and scrap to the recycler, and only true waste to the landfill.
We Rake and Sweep Up
We leave the yard clean — not just the big stuff gone, but the mess raked up behind it.
Where Your Yard Waste and Outdoor Junk Actually Go
We don’t just run everything to the nearest landfill — a huge share of yard waste can be composted or recycled, and out here there are specific rules about what counts. Here’s where it actually goes:
Clean Green Waste → Composting
Grass, leaves, tree trimmings, and brush are exactly what California’s organics law (SB 1383) wants kept out of the landfill. Lamb Canyon Landfill actually composts clean green material on-site and gives finished compost back to residents for free. But here’s the local catch most people don’t know: the county’s “clean green waste” only means grass, tree trimmings, and bushes — and it specifically does not accept sod, soil, cactus, yucca, tumbleweeds, lumber, or palm fronds in that stream. Those cost more to dispose of and go a different route. We know the difference, so your load gets sorted right.
Metal → Scrap Recyclers
Chain-link fence, metal posts, old gates, mower decks, and outdoor scrap go to a local metal yard like New Era Metals or Menlo Recycling in Hemet — not the dump.
Wood Fencing, Sheds & Painted/Treated Lumber → the Proper Facility
Treated fence boards and painted wood aren’t “green waste,” so they’re handled as wood/construction debris, not composted.
Palm Fronds, Stumps, Cactus & Tumbleweeds → Landfill or Grinding
The valley’s least-loved yard waste — the stuff the clean-green stream rejects — we handle it so you don’t have to figure it out.
True Junk → Landfill Last
Whatever genuinely can’t be composted or recycled goes to Lamb Canyon Landfill (16411 Lamb Canyon Rd, Beaumont), and we keep that pile as small as we honestly can.
Defensible Space & the 100-Foot Rule — What Hemet’s Fire Zones Mean for Your Yard
Here’s the part that’s more than just tidiness, and almost no junk hauler will explain it. A lot of Hemet and the hills around the valley sit in High and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones — and the City of Hemet adopted the updated Cal Fire hazard map in 2025, which put more parcels into those zones, not fewer. If your property is in one, California law (Public Resources Code 4291) requires you to maintain 100 feet of “defensible space” around your home — clearing dead brush, weeds, and combustible debris in a buffer zone that gives firefighters a fighting chance.
That’s not a suggestion. Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department inspect for it, and there are two things a lot of homeowners get blindsided by:
Selling your home? Since July 1, 2021, if your property is in a high or very-high fire hazard zone, you need documentation of a compliant defensible-space inspection to close the sale. A yard full of dead brush can hold up your escrow.
Fines add up fast. Non-compliance can carry serious penalties, higher insurance premiums, and real liability if your neglected brush helps a fire spread.
Hauling out the dead vegetation, dry brush, woodpiles, and debris in that 100-foot zone is exactly the kind of job we do — and we can time it around a Cal Fire inspection or a real-estate closing. Not sure if you’re in a mapped zone? Your city or the Riverside County Fire Department can tell you, and we can clear whatever the inspector flags.
Quick gut-check: Is your home in a High or Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, or are you about to list it? If yes, that 100-foot defensible-space clearance isn’t optional — and letting brush pile up puts your sale, your insurance, and your home at risk.
Weed Abatement Notices — Don’t Ignore That Letter
We clear vacant lots, fence lines, parkways, and neglected parcels to meet those abatement requirements — weeds, dead vegetation, illegally dumped junk, and all. If you got a notice and the clock’s ticking, send us a photo and the deadline; we’ll get it done and get you compliant.
Got questions on the notice itself? The county’s Hazard Reduction line is 951-943-0640 .
DIY vs. Hiring Us — The Real Numbers
“I’ve got a truck, I’ll just haul it myself” — fair, and for a couple of bags of clippings, do it. But before you commit your weekend to a real yard cleanup, here’s the honest math for the Hemet area:
Truck or Trailer
Branches and fence sections don’t cube up neatly, so a yard’s worth of brush usually means multiple trips even in a pickup.
Landfill Fees
Lamb Canyon charges by weight — clean green waste runs roughly $46 per ton and routine refuse around $50 per ton under the county’s current fee schedule (confirm at rcwaste.org). Mixed loads with dirt, stumps, or fence wood cost more.
The Stuff They’ll Reject
Show up at the green-waste line with palm fronds, tumbleweeds, cactus, yucca, or soil mixed in and it gets bounced to a pricier stream — or turned away.
Uncovered-Load Fines
Haul an open truck of brush down Florida Ave without a tarp and you’re risking a ticket (and a trail of debris). The county has an uncovered-load policy for a reason.
Your Back — and What’s in the Pile
Dragging brush in 100-degree heat is miserable, and a pile that’s sat since spring can hide black widows, rodents, or a rattlesnake sunning itself. That’s a real risk out here, not a scare story.
For a small trim, DIY it. For a full cleanup, a fence tear-out, a hot tub, or a defensible-space clearance? Between the trips, fuel, tipping fees, and a lost weekend, the “free” route usually costs more than one flat price from us — and we bring the labor, the sorting, and the tarp.
Why Hemet Homeowners Call Us Instead of the Other Options
We Do the Loading
Heavy, awkward, thorny debris hauled by hand, from wherever it sits.
Upfront, All-In Pricing
Confirmed before we load, disposal included.
We Sort It Right
Clean green waste to compost, metal to the scrapper, and we know what the county’s green stream won’t take.
We Know the Fire Rules
Defensible-space clearances and weed-abatement notices are a job we do all the time.
Same-Day & Scheduled Cleanups
Including recurring hauls for rentals and big lots.
Licensed & Insured
[License #], full liability and workers’-comp. A hurt worker or a damaged sprinkler line is never your problem.
Local, Not a Call Center
You talk to someone who actually knows Hemet, the valley, fire season, and where every composter and scrap yard is.
What About the City’s Green Waste Cart and Bulky Pickup Program?
Good question — and for routine, everyday yard waste, the CR&R green cart is exactly what you should use. Here’s the honest breakdown of where the city programs stop and we start:
The Green Waste Cart
Serviced by CR&R, (951) 943-1991, takes your weekly grass, leaves, and small trimmings — and under SB 1383 you can now toss food scraps in there too; it all gets turned into compost and renewable natural gas. But it only holds so much, and big limbs, fence boards, and bulky items won’t fit.
Bulky-Item Pickup
CR&R bulky-item pickup gives Hemet residents a couple of free bulky collections a year — great for a few items, but there are limits on how many pieces and what they’ll take, and it’s on their schedule, not yours.
Temporary Bins
CR&R rents 3-yard temporary bins (about a 500-pound limit) and larger 10–40 yard boxes for cleanup projects — useful for a slow, drawn-out job.
Where We Come In
When it’s too much, too big, too heavy, or too soon for those programs — a whole-yard cleanup, an old fence, a hot tub, a defensible-space clearance with a deadline, or a pile you need gone today — that’s us. We do the loading, we come on your schedule, and there’s no waiting two weeks for a pickup window.
The Hidden Risks of Letting Outdoor Junk Sit
That pile in the side yard isn’t just an eyesore — in Hemet it turns into a real liability the longer it sits.
Fire danger
This is the big one out here. Dry brush, dead branches, tumbleweeds, and a woodpile against the house are fuel, plain and simple — and in a valley that faces Santa Ana winds and a long fire season, that’s a serious risk to your home and your neighbors’. It’s also the exact thing a defensible-space inspection will flag.
Pest infestations
Brush piles, stacked wood, and old sheds are prime habitat for rodents, roaches, and black widows — and out here, a pile that’s sat all summer is a favorite hiding spot for rattlesnakes. Scrap wood on the soil draws termites right toward your house, too. The longer it sits, the closer the problem gets to your walls.
Injury hazards
A heap of thorny brush, splintered fence boards with rusty nails, and jagged metal is a hazard to your kids, your pets, and anyone who walks the yard. And reaching into an old pile blind is how people get bitten. Clearing it fast is the cheapest insurance there is.
Property value and curb appeal
An overgrown yard full of debris screams “neglected” and drags down your curb appeal — and if you’re about to list, it can hurt your appraisal, spook buyers, and (in a fire zone) literally hold up the sale until it’s cleared.
Yard Waste Removal Areas We Serve Across the San Jacinto Valley
We haul yard waste and outdoor junk throughout Hemet and the whole valley:
Hemet — 92543, 92544, 92545, 92546 (including downtown, East Hemet, Valle Vista, Seven Hills, and Green Acres)
San Jacinto — 92582, 92583
Surrounding valley — Winchester, Homeland, Menifee, Nuevo, Romoland, and up toward Idyllwild
From big-lot cleanups off Warren Rd and Cawston, to fence tear-outs in the older neighborhoods along Florida Ave and State St, to defensible-space clearances up in the hills — if it’s in the San Jacinto Valley, we’ll come clear it.
Frequently Asked Questions About Yard Waste Removal in Hemet
Do I need to bundle branches or bag leaves before you arrive?
Nope — that’s our job. Leave the pile exactly where it is. Our crew loads loose branches, brush, and leaves by hand, and we’ll rake up what’s left behind. Bagging or bundling ahead of time is totally optional; do it only if it’s already how you work.
Can you cut down a tree for me?
We’re a hauling crew, not a licensed tree service, so we don’t fell standing trees or do climbing/chainsaw work up in the canopy — that’s a job for a certified arborist for safety and liability reasons. But once a tree is down, or after your tree service has done the cutting, we’ll haul away every limb, log, and pile of trimmings. A lot of folks book us to clean up right after the arborist leaves.
What if the pile has been sitting so long that there are snakes or rodents in it?
Welcome to the valley — it happens, and we’re used to it. Our crew works carefully around old piles for exactly this reason (rattlesnakes and black widows love a brush pile that’s sat since spring). If we spot an active rattlesnake, we’ll keep everyone safe and may recommend a quick call to animal control before we dig in, but rodents, nests, and spiders are just part of a normal cleanup for us.
Do you take green waste bags that have been sitting for weeks?
Yes — bagged clippings, leaves, and weeds that have been piling up are no problem, even if they’ve gotten a little ripe. We’ll take the bags and the contents. If they’ve been sitting long enough to attract pests, see the question above — still not an issue for us.
What about poison oak or poison ivy mixed into the pile?
Tell us up front if you know it’s in there. Poison oak grows in the hills and canyons around the valley, and our crew can handle it with the right precautions — but we never burn it (the smoke is genuinely dangerous), and it has to be bagged and disposed of properly, not composted. A heads-up lets us come prepared.
Can you remove a hot tub that is on a raised deck or in a tight backyard?
Yes — this is one of our specialties. Hot tubs are heavy, waterlogged, and always seem to be in the worst possible spot. We break them down on site and carry them out piece by piece, whether they’re up on a deck, wedged in a narrow side yard, or behind a tight gate. Send a photo of the tub and its location and we’ll price it right.
How fast can you do a yard cleanup in Hemet?
Often same-day. Call or text before noon and we can usually clear a yard the same afternoon anywhere in Hemet and San Jacinto. Got a defensible-space inspection or a real-estate closing with a deadline? Tell us the date and we’ll work backward from it.
What happens to the metal from old fences and sheds?
Chain-link, metal posts, old gates, shed frames, and outdoor scrap get pulled out and taken to a local scrap-metal recycler like New Era Metals or Menlo Recycling in Hemet — not the landfill. Recovering metal is better for the environment and keeps your load out of the dump.
Do you offer free yard waste removal in Hemet?
Honest answer: no — and be careful with anyone who advertises “free” yard waste removal, because it usually comes with a catch. There *are* legitimately free options for small amounts: your CR&R green cart, the city’s limited free bulky pickups, and Lamb Canyon even gives away free finished compost. What we charge for is the labor, the truck, the sorting, and hauling the big stuff those programs won’t take — with an upfront price and no surprises.
Can you clean up after a landscaping project or contractor?
Absolutely — landscapers, tree services, and contractors are some of our best repeat clients. We do the final haul-off so your crew can keep working, plus mid-project cleanups on bigger jobs. Ask about scheduled and volume pricing.
Do you work during fire season clearance requirements?
Yes — this is one of our busiest jobs from late spring through fall. Whether you’ve got a Cal Fire defensible-space inspection coming up, a weed-abatement notice from the city or county with a deadline, or you just want the brush gone before the Santa Anas start, we clear it fast and can time it to your deadline.