This table lists common issues and estimated resolution timeframes. The length of time it takes to resolve an issue can vary. Timeframes below are estimates, subject to change, and are typically based on the last 90 days of closed reports. 
 

Problem Type	Estimated Timeframe	Description
72-Hour Parking Reports	45-60 days	The time it takes to resolve this type of problem can take longer, due to the code enforcement process.
Curb Painting	79 days
Dead Animals	1.5 day
Graffiti Removal	Public: 5 days Commercial (Code Enforcement): 64 days Private/Residential: 32 days	Graffiti response time can vary based on what type of property graffiti is located on (public, commercial, etc.).
Illegal Dumping	11 days	Depending on the type and location of illegal dumping, this type of report may take less than a week or up to 6 months to resolve, if code enforcement actions are involved.
Missed Collections	48-72 hours after being reported	Learn more about Collection Service Impacts. Missed trash/recycling container pickups need to be reported to the Environmental Services Department no later than 5 p.m. on the following day after the missed collection in order to get return service.  If container was tagged, please refer to the information left by the driver on the tag and correct the issue.
Potholes	11 days	Learn more about Pothole Repair and Street Resurfacing.
Sidewalks	As soon as possible to mitigate damage with asphalt patching. 30 days for asphalt ramping; multiple years for concrete replacement	Learn more about Sidewalk Repair. Sidewalk uplifts are temporarily ramped or patched as soon as possible following reports to City crews. Sidewalk repairs involving concrete work take longer. Often, repairs are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.
Street Light Out	290 days	Simple repairs, such as a burned out light, take less time to complete. Other problems can be more complex, such as an underground wiring problem, which can take more time to resolve.
Street Light On During Day	257 days
Street Resurfacing	Contingent on funding and other project schedules	Learn more about Pothole Repair and Street Resurfacing. Street resurfacing is planned through the City’s pavement management system and completed based on available funding and in coordination with other projects planned for the City right-of-way. See Streets SD for more information.
Street Sweeping	31 days
Traffic Signals	1 day Timing: 6 days	Reports related to traffic signal maintenance are completed within the same day. More involved reports related to traffic signal timing may take more time to resolve.
Traffic Sign Maintenance	111 days
Tree Maintenance (Non-Emergency)	6 months	Emergency tree work is immediately dispatched for service. Other reports of tree maintenance are addressed as soon as possible, depending on the severity of the issue and may take up to a year to address.
Tree Trimming	Palms – Every two years Shade trees – Every 20 years	The City currently schedules trimming for palm trees every two years and every 20 years for other trees in the public right-of-way.
Weed Removal	376 days

Last Updated: 12/3/21 (Based on the last 90 days of closed reports.)

A high volume of street light issues, combined with delays in parts deliveries, complex and outdated street light circuits, and a high number of staff vacancies is causing street light repairs to take longer than normal. Street light repairs are currently expected to take 290* days or more.
 
Recruitment efforts are underway to fill the City's Electrician vacancies. The total Electrician vacancy rate is currently about 50% - a number that grew by 20% during the past year due to pandemic-related issues (including school/childcare closures).

*Based on the last 90 days of closed report data, as of 12/3/21.

Container serial numbers are nine (9) digits printed on the front of trash, recycle, and greenery containers. 

The photo below identifies the location of the serial number.



Black container serial numbers begin with the letter "T." Blue container serial numbers begin with the letter "R."

For more information please see Container Frequently Asked Questions.

Due to staffing challenges, your neighborhood’s recycling or greenery collection operations may be delayed by one day. Please keep uncollected containers curbside for pickup. Before reporting a Missed Collection please View a Map of Impacted Areas which will be collected the next day.

If your refuse/recyclables were not collected and your property is located outside the impacted areas, please use Get It Done to Report a Missed Collection or download the Get It Done mobile app.

Prior to reporting a missed collection, please review the following possible reasons why your collection was missed:

• The Container Is Damaged: Cracked and/or damaged containers, including lids, may not be serviced. Please check your containers for damage. Replace a cracked or damaged container.
• The Container Is Too Close to Obstacles: Containers within three feet of a parked car, another container, or other obstacles in the right of way create challenges for collection crews. Please ensure adequate spacing between containers and obstacles to allow the collection crews to service the containers safely. 
• The Container Is Overflowing: Containers with overflowing materials and/or large protruding objects such as poles, 2x4’s, cardboard boxes, or other long objects create a hazard and may not be serviced by collection crews. Please ensure that all contents fit within the container to allow for safe disposal by collection crews 
• The Container Is Under an Obstacle: Telephone wires, low hanging trees, and basketball hoops can all create overhead obstacles for our collection vehicles. Please ensure your container is not under these obstacles. 
• The Container Was Not Placed Out on Time: Containers need to be placed out for collection by 6:00 AM, the day of the normally scheduled service. 
• Wrong Collection Week: Recycling and greenery collection occur bi-weekly. Please check the collection schedule of these commodities. 

Did you know that each day the Collection Services Division provides over 104,000 service stops? That means that each supervisor is responsible for ensuring 15,000 customers receive safe and effective service each day. We provide the tips above as they are the most common reasons service is missed. We are committed to the highest level of customer service and will review all Get It Done reports.  

We appreciate your patience as we work through these challenging times. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department Customer Care Center at (858) 694-7000. You may also visit the Collection Services Division page to learn more about collection operations.

Get It Done allows you to report a non-emergency concern involving a need for Homeless Outreach or an Encampment. Encampments could be a temporary dwelling and/or an accumulation of belongings blocking a sidewalk or located within public open space or private property. Encampments may be occupied or unoccupied.

As always, emergencies should be reported to 9-1-1. Other Police-related non-emergencies should be reported to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) at 619-531-2000.

If you are experiencing homelessness, to access resources please contact: 2-1-1 by phone or visit 211sandiego.org.

Depending on whether people are present, your report will be forwarded to Homeless Outreach Specialists, the Environmental Services Department (ESD) and/or the Neighborhood Policing Division as appropriate. Typical outcomes for this type of report include: services being offered to any people present, potential arrest, or movement of the encampment. The infographic below helps illustrate the outreach process:



If routed to Homeless Outreach Specialists, the following outcomes may be selected:
 

Outcome	Explanation
Services Connected	Outreach Specialists engaged client(s) and they have been enrolled in a Street Based Case Management program. Although the person may still be present, Outreach Services are being actively provided.
Referred to Street-based Outreach	Initial contact with the client(s) has been made. Your report has been referred to a Street Based Case Manager.
Shelter Placement	Outreach Specialists engaged client(s) and they have been connected with shelter resources.
Self Resolution	Outreach Specialists engaged client(s) and they have voluntarily vacated the area.
Revisit	An Outreach Specialist visited the location and will plan to revisit the location.
Services Offered	An Outreach Specialist visited the location and offered services to individuals present.
Unable to locate	An Outreach Specialist was dispatched but was unable to locate the individual(s) or area of concern. Please submit another report with additional location details if needed.

If routed to the Neighborhood Policing Division the outcomes below can be utilized:
 

Outcome	Explanation
Completed	Your report has been closed. The issue reported has been addressed. An officer visited the site and took appropriate action based on the situation and applicable regulations.
Completed – Clean	An officer visited the site, and the issue reported has been addressed. Trash has been cleared from the area, and the report has been closed.
Cleared – ESD Cleanup Pending	An officer visited the site, and the issue reported has been addressed. Cleaning will occur in the area in the coming days.
ESD Code Compliance Pending	An officer investigated the initial issue reported. The report has been referred to code compliance for additional action.
Contact Made	Your report has been closed. An officer made contact. As warranted, services were offered and/or appropriate enforcement action was taken.
Revisit Required	An officer visited the site and the issue reported could not be resolved immediately. An officer will revisit the location.
Unable to locate	Your report has been closed. An officer attempted to locate the problem but was unable to find the issue. The officer was unable to reach you for clarification. If the problem persists, please submit a new report.

Unfortunately we are unable to pick up unwanted containers unless we are replacing them with new ones. For proper disposal please bring the unwanted container to the Environmental Services Department’s Collections Services storefront. Collection Services is located at 8353 Miramar Place, San Diego, CA 92121. Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Feel free to leave containers at Collection Services at any time. Alternatively, containers may also be broken down and placed in your blue recycle bin.
 
To replace a damaged container, fill out a request to Replace a Damaged Container online through Get It Done. After a warranty and eligibility review is completed, you’ll receive an email to purchase your container. When your new container is delivered, the old container will be removed.
 
Please keep in mind, workers are not allowed on private property, so please leave your container on the street/alley. The container must be empty when the new container is delivered. Container delivery drivers cannot transport refuse. 
 
If your container is broken and/or full of trash please call Customer Service at 858-694-7000 for additional options. 
 
For multi-unit residential customers, once a container is removed without a replacement, a multifamily home must apply for new containers. Please note the approval process can be lengthy. Retrieval of removed containers is not an available option. 

This article describes the various problem reports and service requests available through Get It Done and what they mean.  Get It Done is for reporting non-emergency problems and it may take as long as 72 hours for a report to be reviewed.  As always, if this is an emergency, dial 9-1-1. Learn more about reporting Police-related non-emergencies.

Tips for Using Get It Done:

• View Outreach materials and read the Get It Done Guidelines
• Submit only one problem or issue per report
• Provide a photo (or submit multiple photos), taken far enough away to allow crews to see the issue in context

Parking & Vehicle Related Issues
The following issues related to parking and vehicles may be reported through Get It Done.  Keep in mind that response times to parking reports vary based on the volume of reports and priority calls.  Updates are only provided for vehicles parked over 72-hours.

• 72-Hour Vehicle Violation:  Report vehicles (operable or inoperable) parked in the same place on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours, without being driven.
• Parking Zone Violation:  Report vehicles parked in violation of a parking zone (for example, parked in a red zone).
• Oversized Vehicles:  Report oversized vehicles (such as RVs, trailers, or boats) parked on public streets when they are prohibited.  Section 86.0139 prohibits oversized, non-motorized, and recreational vehicles from parking on public streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.  Residents who need to temporarily park an oversized vehicle on the street may obtain a Temporary Overnight Recreational Vehicle Permit (TORVP).

Report other parking problems by calling Police Non-Emergency at (619) 531-2000.  

Trash Collection, Recycling, & Graffiti
The Environmental Services Department handles the requests listed below, with the exception of graffiti, which is handled by the Transportation Department.

• Missed Collection:  Trash, recycling, and greenery pickup is guaranteed for containers placed in collection areas by 6 a.m., unless they are in violation of City regulations.  If your containers have not been emptied, look for a tag from your driver on the containers.  The tag will explain why they were not collected.  If the container is not tagged and it was set out before 6 a.m., report a Missed Collection. Check the Collection Status page for updates regarding known delays.
  • Keep in mind that collection schedules can shift during certain holiday weeks.  Find Your Trash Collection Schedule first before reporting a missed collection.
  • Missed trash, recycling or yard waste collection must be reported by 5 p.m. on the day following your regular collection day in order to qualify for a return collection.
• Find My Trash Collection Schedule:  Search for your address to see your trash, recycling, and greenery collection schedule.
• ADA Assisted Collections:  Request temporary or permanent assistance with bringing out containers for trash collection if no able bodied person is available to help set out your container.
• Containers Left Out Beyond Collection Hours:  Report trash containers left out after 6 p.m. on your scheduled collection day, in violation of San Diego Municipal Code Section 66.0106.
• Dead Animal:  Report a dead animal located in the City of San Diego's public right-of-way (street or sidewalk).  For dead animals located elsewhere in the county, click here for more information.
• Illegal Dumping:  Report illegal dumping such as bulky items, abandoned camps, or occupied camps in the public right-of-way.
• Graffiti:  Depending on where the graffiti is located, your report may be handled by the City or an alternate provider, such as Cox, AT&T, SDG&E, the Port of San Diego, Caltrans, MTS, the County, or by a commercial property owner.  Commercial property owners are responsible for removing graffiti from their property.  Graffiti located on commercial property is handled by code enforcement to achieve compliance.  Reports referred to an alternate provider will be identified as "Referred" in the system and will not receive future status updates.
• Household Hazardous Waste (HAZMAT) Appointment:  Residents of the City of San Diego may request an appointment to drop off household hazardous materials.  Appointments are offered on most Saturdays.
• Dumpster Encroaching on Public Right-of-Way:  Report a dumpster encroaching into the public right-of-way (street or sidewalk).  This type of report is handled by code enforcement to achieve compliance.

Streets, Sidewalks, & Lights
The Transportation Department handles the problem types listed below. 

• Curb:  Report issues with a curb, such as damage, faded paint, or illegal painting.
• Damaged Guardrail:  Report an issue with a damaged guardrail.  A guardrail is a metal railing that can be placed at the edge of a road.
• Faded Striping:  Report problems with striping, such as faded lane lines, crosswalks, or other markings, such as the "STOP" legend.
• Pothole:  Report a pothole.  Data such as the overall pavement condition is utilized to determine which streets will be resurfaced.  For more information, please visit the following links:
  • Street Repair in Your Neighborhood Video
  • Street Resurfacing Map:  streets.sandiego.gov
  • Street Resurfacing & Pothole Repair
• Sidewalk Repair:  Report a problem such as a raised sidewalk.  For sidewalk repairs, a temporary asphalt patch may be applied pending a permanent repair.  In some cases, the adjacent property owner may be responsible for certain repairs.  For more information, please see the links below:
  • Sidewalk Maintenance Process Infographic
  • Sidewalk Information
• Street Light:  Report problems such as a street light out or a street light on during the day.  The City maintains over 40,000 street lights.  Click here for more information.
• Street Sweeping:  Request that a street be swept.  Some streets are swept on a regular schedule.  For more information, click here.
• Traffic Sign:  Report a problem with a traffic sign.  For more information, click here.
• Traffic Signal:  Report a problem with a traffic signal, such as a light out, flashing red, signals facing the wrong direction, or a timing issue.  The City maintains over 1,500 traffic signals.  For more information, click here.
• Other:  For faster service, please try to select the applicable problem type for your report. Problems reported under the "Other" category are not automatically processed and may require more time to review.  Scroll to the bottom of the Get It Done page for additional options.

Trees & Vegetation
The Transportation Department handles the problem types listed below. 

• Tree Maintenance:  Report an issue with a tree maintained by the City, such as:
  • Branch/Tree Down
  • Visibility of Traffic Signals/Signs
  • Blocking Street/Sidewalk
  • Dead/Unstable
• Other:  Request a Free Street Tree.  Click here for more information.

Storm Water & Drains
The Stormwater Department handles the problem types listed below.  To report a water leak or a sewer issue, please call the Public Utilities Department at 619-515-3525.

• Storm Drain:  Report an issue such as:
  • Channel Cleaning
  • Clogged Storm Drain
  • Foul Odor
  • Grate Frame Broken/Missing
  • Object in Drain
• Street Flooded:  Report a problem involving street flooding.  For urgent issues, call 619-515-3525.
• Illegal Discharge:  Use this to report material or fluid being dumped or released into the City's Storm Water system (such as gutters and storm drains).
• Over Irrigation:  Use this to report over irrigation of landscaping, causing water to enter the City's Storm Water system.

Passport Appointments
The Office of the City Clerk offers Passport Services and appointments can be scheduled online through Get It Done.

• Schedule a Passport Appointment

Homeless Outreach / Encampment
Non-emergency requests for Homeless Outreach or an Encampment can be reported through Get It Done. Depending on whether people are present, reports are routed to Homeless Outreach Specialists, the Environmental Services Department, and/or the Neighborhood Policing Division. For Police-related non-emergencies, call (619) 531-2000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

If you are experiencing homelessness, please contact: 2-1-1 by phone or visit 211sandiego.org.

• Homeless Outreach/Encampment

Gas & Electric
To report issues related to gas and electric service, please call San Diego Gas & Electric at 1-800-411-SDGE (7343). For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

The City relies on a number of public and private entities to ensure weeds and vegetation issues are handled appropriately. The responsible party depends on where the weeds are located.
 

Private Property	Per the California Fire Code, weeds located on private property are always the responsibility of the property owner to address.   If the property has a structure or dwelling unit on it, weed issues are enforced by the Fire Department’s Wildland Management and Enforcement Section.   If it is a privately owned vacant lot, weed issues are enforced by the Fire-Rescue Department’s private contractor Fire Prevention Services, Inc.
Parks and Open Space	Weeds located in City parks and open space, including park facilities and structures, are addressed by the Parks & Recreation Department.
Streets, Sidewalks, and other areas in the paved right of way	Weeds located in the public right-of-way, including streets and sidewalks, are addressed by the Transportation Department. If the vegetation is located in a storm drain, it is handled by Stormwater Department.

You can report the following issues with scooters – referred to in the City of San Diego as shared mobility devices (SMDs) – through Get It Done. Please review the description to verify to make sure you're reporting a valid issue.

• Blocking Road
  SMDs may not block street traffic lanes at any time.
• Blocking Sidewalk
  SMDs may be parked/staged on sidewalks as long as they are in allowed zones where they:
  • Do not impede pedestrian traffic;
  • Are not on the same block as an SMD corral; and
  • Are located no closer than 40 feet of another SMD on a City sidewalk.
• Scooter Staging/Placement
  SMDs should be parked/staged in SMD corrals. Where there is no SMD Corral in allowed zones, up to four SMDs can be parked together no more than a foot apart. SMDs may not be placed in
  • In an accessible (blue) parking spot;
  • Within 500 feet of a hospital or K-12 school; or
  • Within 6 feet of a designated MTS bus stop or trolley stop, transit shelter, bench or information kiosk.

Please note that response times to reports vary based on the volume of reports received, and the City may not be able to respond to every report. However, each will help focus resources where needed to improve enforcement.

For urgent matters and moving violations, please contact the SDPD non-emergency line at 619-531-2000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

For more information, please visit Bicycle and Scooter Sharing.

To report a maintenance issue with a freeway maintained by Caltrans, you can Submit a Customer Service Request to Caltrans.

Report highway emergencies to 9-1-1. The California Highway Patrol Non-Emergency number is 858-637-3800.

 

The City of San Diego offers open public Wi-Fi at over 300 locations along with the option to check out laptops and cellular hotspots at select libraries. Visit SD Access for All for more details.

Certain report types, like Parking and Homeless Outreach/Encampments, allow you to self-close your report. To do so, open the initial submittal email and click the "Close Report" link.

If your initial submittal email does not include an option to close the report, just reply to the email and request that your report be closed.

Anyone doing any type of digging MUST contact DigAlert before excavation. Contact DigAlert at DigAlert.org or call 8-1-1. While digging or excavating on private property typically does not require a City of San Diego permit, a grading permit may be required.

If you already have trash and recycling services from the City, use this option to request additional containers. An eligibility inspection may be required before an application is approved and containers are purchased.
 
The Request for Additional Container is a three-step process. Below is a general overview of each step.

1.  Address Search:  Search for your site by entering your address.

2.  Choose Containers:  Place your order for refuse and recycle containers and choose the delivery method to identify if you’d like containers delivered for an additional fee ($25 per container) or self pick-up.

Once these first two steps are complete your request will go through an eligibility process to determine if your property supports an additional container. You will be contacted either by email regarding eligibility status and next steps.

3.  Purchase:  If eligibility is approved, you will receive an email with purchase instructions.
 
The most common container is 96-gallons, which has the capacity equivalent to three regular trash cans.  Recycling containers are available for no charge (up to 3 per site). Delivery fees will apply. For more information please see Container Frequently Asked Questions.

If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

For reporting non-emergencies 24 hours/7 days, call 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154.

To report some non-emergency issues you can file a police report online using the Citizens’ Online Police Reporting System.  You will be contacted once your case has been assigned to a Detective or if any additional information is needed. 

If you need assistance with Citizens’ Online Police Reporting, please call (858) 523-7066.

 

An Interactive Map provides more information about the undergrounding process and allows you to find the undergrounding schedule for your neighborhood.

See the Utilities Undergrounding Program for more information.

Containers are expected to last for approximately 10 years. Over time, containers are worn down by repeated use, as well as exposure to sunlight and other elements.
 
When the City switched to automated collection in 1994, each eligible residence received a container. While the initial container was provided at no charge, customers are now responsible for providing trash container compatible with collection vehicles.
 
Containers may be purchased online or from a home improvement store. (Trash containers must be approved brands that are compatible with automated collection, such as Rehrig Pacific ROC-35, ROC-65, ROC-95-U that are sold by the City or ToterEVR Universal Cart 64 or 96-gallon.)
 
Containers purchased from the City cost $70. If your container becomes damaged within the 10-year period, we will calculate a prorated price for the replacement container.
 
Replacement wheels and lids are available at no charge from 8353 Miramar Place facility weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. City staff members can show how to perform lid and wheel replacement. Please bring the damaged lid with you for recycling. If you're unable to bring the damaged lid, it can be disposed of in your recycling container.
 
 
Additional Background
 
The container fee was established as a fair and reasonable fee that does not exceed the cost of providing the container. Collection and disposal of waste is provided to eligible households at no charge.
 
The delivery fee covers the costs associated with the delivery of the container and removal of any non-functioning container. To avoid the delivery fee, residents may choose to pick up containers at the 8353 Miramar Place facility weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
 

City-issued containers are expected to have a lifespan of 10 years. Containers need to be replaced if the City determines they are no longer serviceable for automated collection. Usually, the driver places a tag on the container advising the resident to replace the damaged container.

Replacing a damaged container is a three-step process. Below is a general overview of each step.

1. Address Search:  Search for your site by entering your address.

2. Choose Containers:  Select the trash, recycling, or greenery (if available) containers you'd like to purchase. Enter the old trash (black) container’s serial number for warranty eligibility. Select delivery or pick-up. (Delivery is available for $25 per container.)  You will receive an email with purchase instructions.

3. Purchase: The last step is to complete the purchase of the containers in your cart.

For more information please see Container Frequently Asked Questions.