How to get rid of a couch in Detroit, MI

Put the couch at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled bulk collection day. Detroit collects furniture as bulk with no booking, up to 2 cubic yards and 1,000 pounds per collection.

Last checked against the official City of Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW) website. See sources.

Cost
Free on your bulk collection day
How
Set out by 7 a.m.; no booking needed
Limit
2 cubic yards and 1,000 lbs per collection

Drop-off hours change Nov 1: Southfield Yard and Davison Yard switch from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. to 8 a.m.-4 p.m. (Monday to Saturday) through March 31.

Option 1: City pickup (Curbside bulk collection)

Who can use it

  • Curbside bulk collection is for Detroit households on City trash service.
  • Place bulk items only in front of your own home. Items in front of vacant lots or vacant homes may not be collected and can get you a ticket.

How to book

  1. No appointment is needed. Find your bulk collection day with the City's Waste Pickup Schedule tool, or text your street address to (313) 800-7905 for reminders.
  2. Missed pickup or schedule questions: East and Southwest Detroit, Priority Waste (855) 927-8365; west side, Waste Management (844) 233-8764.
  3. Too much for the curb? DPW offers paid pickup for bulk items. Call DPW at 313-876-0004 for a quote.

Couch rules

  • Furniture is on the City's list of bulk items.
  • Place it in front of your own home, in its own pile, not mixed with yard waste or renovation debris.
  • Do not put it in front of a vacant lot or vacant house.

Setting it out

  • Place items at the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day.
  • Keep piles separate; do not mix bulk with yard waste or renovation debris.
  • Limit: 2 cubic yards and 1,000 pounds per collection.
  • Appliances: remove doors and drain refrigerants first.
  • Not accepted at the curb: flammables, explosives, paint, batteries, medical waste, fuel, oil, tires, car parts, needles and chemicals.

Fees and limits

  • Curbside bulk collection within the 2-cubic-yard limit has no separate fee listed by the City.
  • DPW paid pickup for larger loads: price by quote (313-876-0004).
  • Setting out more than 2 cubic yards or 1,000 pounds, or dumping illegally, can bring fines; the City lists illegal-dumping fines of $100 to $10,000.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • Detroit residents can drop furniture free at Southfield Yard, Davison Yard or J. Fons with ID, up to 1,000 lbs per household per day.
  • Southfield Yard, 12255 Southfield, and Davison Yard, 8221 W. Davison: bulk, recycling and yard waste, free for Detroit residents. Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Apr 1 to Oct 31) and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Nov 1 to Mar 31).
  • J. Fons Transfer Station, 6451 E. McNichols: bulk and yard waste free for residents; construction and renovation debris for a fee.
  • Bring a driver's license, state ID or Detroit ID. Free drop-off is limited to 1,000 lbs per household per day. No commercial vehicles, household garbage or hazardous waste.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Habitat for Humanity's national guidance: furniture should be gently used or like new. Check with your local ReStore before you go.

Donation rules are set by each charity and can change. Call before you load up.

What we could not confirm

  • City pages disagree on how often bulk is collected. DPW's 2026 Curbside Collection flyer says trash, recycling, bulk and yard waste are picked up weekly; the General Services 'Free Dumping for Detroiters' page and a line on DPW's Bulk & Yard Waste page still say bi-weekly. Check your date in the schedule tool.
  • J. Fons free bulk drop-off hours differ between City pages (the 2026 flyer and the Free Dumping page list 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Saturday, the Bulk & Yard Waste page lists Saturday 8 a.m.-1 p.m.). Call DPW at 313-876-0004 before you go.
  • The City's 2026 flyer and the Free Dumping page list different paid-dropoff rates at J. Fons ($95 vs $65 for the first 2,000 lbs), so we leave the rate out.

Common questions

Does Detroit pick up couches?
Yes. Furniture goes out with curbside bulk collection on your scheduled bulk day, with no separate fee listed.
When do I put it out?
By 7 a.m. on your bulk collection day. Find the day with the City's schedule tool or by texting your address to (313) 800-7905.
What if I have more than 2 cubic yards?
Take the rest to a free DPW drop-off yard, or call DPW at 313-876-0004 for a paid pickup quote.

Sources

Last checked Oct 22, 2026. We read each page below on that date.

Related guides