HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – If you’ve been staring at that busted sofa in the garage or a pile of old electronics gathering dust, your chance to clear it all out for free is finally here. Starting this Monday, February 9, Hillsborough County is bringing its “Fight the Blight” initiative to the West Leto neighborhood.
The goal is simple: get rid of the junk that ruins property values and attracts pests before it becomes a permanent eyesore or a legal headache.
The cleanup runs through Friday, February 13, giving locals a five-day window to purge their properties. This isn’t just about making the yard look nice; the county’s Rapid Response team is specifically targeting illegal dump sites and code violations that often drag down the vibe of the whole street. Property owners in the area already pay for this through their annual solid waste assessments, so you might as well get your money’s worth and let the pros haul your heavy lifting away.
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The boundaries for this pickup are pretty specific. If you live south of West Sligh Avenue, north of West Henry Avenue, east of North Occident Street, and west of North Manhattan Avenue, you’re in the zone.
You can set out furniture, old metal, junk, and even up to five tires (just make sure they aren’t from a commercial business). However, don’t expect them to take everything. If you have bags of yard waste, hazardous chemicals, or a stack of commercial truck tires, you’re going to have to find another way to ditch those, as the county won’t touch them during this run.
The most important thing to remember is the timing. The crews start early—5 a.m. early. If your junk isn’t on the curb by then, you’re likely going to miss the boat.
Most people find it easier to just drag everything out the night before. Code Enforcement is pushing this hard, hoping neighbors will use the opportunity to fix up their lots and avoid getting hit with any violation notices later. If you aren’t sure if your house falls within the lines or have questions about a specific item, you can give them a shout at (813) 274-6600.
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