In the wake of Hurricane Irene, the City of Raleigh Waste Services Department will be waiving the special load pickup fee for tree debris for one week.

The city requests that residents prepare vegetative debris in the normal fashion according to yard waste collection guidelines. Tree debris must be no longer than 5 feet long and 18 inches in diameter, and weigh no more than 75 pounds.

The debris may be placed out on regular collection day, and can be put at the curbside — not in the street — as residents clean up their property. The city will not issue a code violation between now and Sept. 6.

For large amounts of debris that cannot be prepared for weekly yard waste collection, residents may put materials at the curbside and call for a one-time special load collection. The normal $50 fee for this service will be waived for one week. Residents must schedule this pickup by calling 996-6890.

Residents and business can also take their debris to the City of Raleigh Yard waste Center at 900 N. New Hope Road, where normal fees will be charged.