Street Sweeping
Citywide Street Sweeping
On March 11, Citywide street sweeping will resume for the season and "No Parking" restrictions related to street cleaning will be in effect. Please refer to street signs for specific hours and days of restrictions.
In 2018, the City of Alexandria updated all street sweeping-related "No Parking" signage to lift restrictions between November and February, when street sweeping operations are suspended. Additionally, as of spring 2019, there are restrictions along Patrick and Henry Streets to allow for more regular street sweeping along these thoroughfares.
"No Parking" Restriction Lifted November - February
Did you know that the City of Alexandria lifts "No Parking" restrictions related to street sweeping from November through February, allowing residents to remain parked on the street?
In 2018, the City's Traffic and Parking Board voted unanimously to suspend "No Parking" restrictions during the winter months when street sweeping activities are paused for the season. The change took effect on November 1, 2019; signs throughout the City were updated accordingly.
Street Sweeping
The Resource Recovery Division is responsible for sweeping all City-owned streets. The street sweeping program includes three major groups: commercial sweeping, no parking sweeping, and residential sweeping.
COMMERCIAL SWEEPING
Street sweeping of commercial streets occurs overnight and includes the City's major thoroughfares such as Duke St., Van Dorn St., Eisenhower Ave., and other major roads in the City. This work is performed by an overnight staff and is done on a rotating basis. The commercial sweeping is performed during spring, summer, and fall, given that the overnight temperatures are above freezing, and is supplemented by quarterly cleanings of major entry points into the City to provide a clean environment and to mitigate the amount of litter on our City streets.
NO PARKING SWEEPING
Several streets throughout the City have posted "No Parking" restrictions for two hours each week to accommodate street sweeping in some of our heavy use areas. These streets have been identified over the years as needing a more frequent cleaning. This program allows Public Works Services to remove additional pollutants from our roadways to help protect local waterways, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay.
RESIDENTIAL SWEEPING
Starting in late spring each year, Public Works Services begins the residential street sweeping program. The goal of this program is to sweep every street in the City three times a year. Two sweeping operators work through 11 different zones in the City to ensure every street is swept.
How You Can Help
- Pick up the litter and trash around your property, rather than sweeping these items into the street, alley or gutter, as they will eventually end up in the Potomac.
- Residential property owners are responsible for maintaining the sidewalks adjacent to their property. Commercial property owners are responsible for the public space around their property including the curb and gutter area.
- Use the street litter and recycling cans as you walk along the City's commercial streets. The litter cans are for pedestrian trash only, not household trash.
- Obtain street and alley cleaning services online, or call 311 or 703.746.4311.
Adopt-a-Block Litter Program
The City of Alexandria City Council approved the Adopt-A-Block Litter Program to promote partnerships between the City and Alexandria residents to maintain litter free neighborhoods and streets. The City's Adopt-A-Block program is modeled after the Virginia Adopt-A-Block Highway Program introduced in 1988 by the Virginia Department of Transportation to "Keep Virginia Beautiful".
Adopt-a-Block Frequently Asked Questions
Why do people litter?
According to research conducted by Keep America Beautiful, Inc, it was found that people litter because they:
- Feel no sense of ownership for the property or land
- Believe someone else will pick up after them
- See litter has already accumulated at a site
How can I help to change people's attitudes about litter?
Participating in the Adopt-a-Block program can help affect people's attitudes about waste and its handling, which will lead to a reduction in litter and dumping.
- By removing litter, graffiti, and cleaning up an area will make it less likely to attract more waste.
- Involving people helps them to appreciate the environment more and learn that their actions matter.
What are Adopt-a-Block participants responsibilities?
- Review the Adopt-a-Block Agreement
Participating groups must be an established business, government entity, or community or public organization. Participants must be at least 8 years of age, and anyone under the age of 17 must have adult supervision (at least one adult for every three children). - Adopt a four-block section, at a minimum, of roadway for a period of two years (one block includes both sides of the street).
- Sign and support the terms and conditions of the litter program.
- Collect litter a minimum of four times per year, or more often if necessary, to keep area reasonably clean. Please report the amount of litter collected and any sidewalk issues, street lamp outages, etc., by completing and returning the Adopt-a-Block Clean Up Report Form.
What are the City Resource Recovery Division's Adopt-a-Block responsibilities?
- Installation of an Adopt-a-Block sign with group name or organization
- Provide vests, trash bags, and gloves to each group leader
- Coordinate publicity efforts with the group to solicit local media coverage, as requested
- Remove filled bags and large heavy or hazardous items found or reported from the adopted area following clean-up
Who are the current Adopt-a-Block participants?
- Alexandria Democratic Committee
- Alexandria Gay and Lesbian Community Association
- Earth Tech
- Environmental Policy Commission
- MOM's Organic Market
- Senior Craftsman
- Virginia Tech National Capital Region
- The Interceptors Group
- Tau Nu Chapter, Phi Theta Kappa – NVCC
- PMA Properties
- Northern VA Juvenile Detention Home - The New Beginnings Program
- Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc
- The Robinson's
- The Cameron Family
- Reworld™ Alexandria/Arlington
- Visionary Integration Professionals, Inc (VIP)
- Denese Faulkner
- The Pointe at Park Center
- NOVA Smiles.com
- Alexandria-Washington Chapter, DeMolay International
- Alexandria City Chapter Top Ladies of Distinction
- St. Paul's Episcopal Church
- Upper King Street Neighborhood Association
- Carpenter Shelter
- SERVPRO
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Fairlington Presbyterian Church
-
Stephen and Ryan Skarden
-
American Physical Therapy Association
-
Saints (St. Stevens & St. Agnes)