A City of Saugatuck loader and dump truck clearing brush on a tree-lined street

Departments

Department of Public Works

3338 Blue Star Highway, Saugatuck, MI 49453 · (269) 857-2638.

What we do

Streets, parks, waterfront and seasonal operations

Using a combination of in-house staff and contracted service providers, the Department of Public Works provides administrative and operational leadership of public works operations and services. Responsibilities include oversight of construction, maintenance, and repair activities associated with municipal infrastructure, including streets, sidewalks, traffic control, signage, parking, parks and facilities, waterfront assets, utilities, motor pool fleet, and seasonal operations.

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Public Works contacts

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Schedules and services

Brush & leaf pick-up

Brush & leaf guidelines

Monthly curbside pick-up of brush and leaves — follow the 2026 Brush & Leaf Schedule.

Please do not
  • Place debris where it can enter or block city storm drains
  • Obstruct traffic flow by placing brush/leaves in the normal driving lane of city streets
  • Make piles that are excessive in height or width (no higher than 4 feet)
How

Materials must be neatly stacked near the roadway in the curb or shoulder area away from objects or obstructions such as power poles, wires, sign posts, valve boxes, etc. Stack all limbs in the same direction to allow city equipment to facilitate removal. Leaves must be un-bagged and separated from tree limbs and brush.

What

Brush and leaves only! No limbs, branches or brush material larger than 8" in diameter or longer than 4' in length. No grass clippings, roots, thorn bearing branches, tree trunks, stumps, or construction materials.

Where and when

Place brush and leaves along the curb or shoulder area in front of your own property — no sooner than the Friday immediately preceding your scheduled monthly pickup date.

*Due to the large workload associated with fall brush and leaf pick up, City crews may not reach your property on the exact date of your scheduled pick up. Please be sure to place your leaves out before your scheduled pick up date to ensure your leaves are removed. Leaves placed out after your scheduled pick up date and after City crews have serviced your street may not be collected and will become the responsibility of the property owner.

Why can't I put my grass clippings out?

The City is not legally authorized to dispose of residential grass clippings. We recommend mulching your grass clippings.

Enforcement and fines

City staff will attempt to make contact with the property owner or occupant on site to verbally notify owner or occupant of the violation. A brush and leaf pickup policy informational door hanger will be left on site, where applicable, and a violation letter will be mailed to the property owner of record notifying the owner that the violation must be remedied within 10 days of the date on the violation notice. If the violation is not corrected per the notice then a civil infraction notice or citation will be issued.

  • First violation $25
  • Second violation $100
  • Third (or subsequent) violation $250

NOTE: Brush and leaves placed in the city right-of-way at times not specifically allowed per the City's official pickup schedule or not otherwise consistent with this policy will be considered a violation of Section 50.05 of the City of Saugatuck Code of Ordinances and responsible for a civil infraction in accordance with Section 50.99 of the City Code.

Spring "Junk" Pick-Up — April 20-23, 2026

Curbside removal of household items

Please place your items at the curb side no sooner than April 14th. Do not block the roadway. Items placed out after April 24th will not be picked up.

City crews will pick up the following items: general household "junk" items such as couches, tables, chairs, desk, lamps, swing sets, bikes, rugs, screens, shelving, tools, lawn equipment, grills, etc.

Materials NOT ACCEPTED include but not limited to lead acid batteries, tires, paint, yard waste, hazardous waste, liquids of any kind, radioactive materials, barrels or drums which are not empty and crushed, compressed gas cylinders which are not empty and disabled, appliances containing Freon such as refrigerators and air conditioners (unless a valid reclamation sticker is attached), food garbage/waste, medical waste, construction/remodel and or demolition debris. Owners will be responsible for disposal of any rejected items.

A pile of curbside household items collected during the spring pick-up

Report a streetlight out

Streetlights are maintained by Consumers Energy

The City of Saugatuck does not own or maintain the streetlights. If you notice streetlights that are either burned out or malfunctioning please report the condition to Consumers Energy. Their crews will make any needed repairs.

Public Works

Submit a comment or request for review

Send the Department of Public Works a comment or a request for review.