This table lists common issues and estimated resolution timeframes. The length of time it takes to resolve an issue can vary due to weather, seasonal, or other local impacts.

Estimate are calculated using data from the last 6 weeks as well as seasonal trends and staff knowledge. These estimates are validated and updated quarterly.
 

Problem Type	Estimated Timeframe	Description
TRASH COLLECTION, RECYCLING, AND GRAFFITI
Container Request	26 days	Learn more about obtaining a black trash, blue recycling, or green container.
Dead Animal	3 days
Graffiti Removal	Public (City-maintained): 6 days   Private Property: 223 days* *involves a code enforcement investigation	Graffiti response time varies based on what type of property the graffiti is located on.   Graffiti located on commercial property can require code enforcement, which adds time to the process.   After receiving approval from a residential (less than 4 unit) property owner, the City partners with Urban Corps to help remove graffiti.   Note: Companies are responsible for painting out graffiti on their assets, such as utility boxes and dumpsters. Reports may be referred to the responsible party to be addressed.
Illegal Dumping	5 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.  Reports of Illegal Dumping associated with Homeless Encampments should be submitted under the “Homeless Outreach / Encampment” reporting option and may incur additional delays if submitted as “Illegal Dumping.”
Missed Collections	5 days* *when not associated with a known route delay	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 to get return service. If container was tagged, please refer to the information left by the driver on the tag and correct the issue.
STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND LIGHTS
Curbs	Damaged Curb: 177 days Faded Paint: 392 days
Pothole	6-20 days* *depends on weather conditions	Learn more about Pothole Repair and Street Resurfacing.
Sidewalk Repair Issue	Temporary Repair: 7 days Permanent Repair: Multiple years* *resource dependent	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 Lights	230 days	Learn more about why street light repairs are taking longer than normal.
Street Sweeping	30 days
Traffic Signals	5 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	405 days
BICYCLE, SCOOTER, AND VEHICLE ISSUES
72 Hour Vehicle Violation	43 days	The time it takes to resolve this type of problem can take longer, due to the code enforcement process.
Bicycle Related Issues	117 days	Variable accuracy due to low report volume.
Parking Zone Violations	Timeframes are not provided for this service.*  *Parking zone violation reports are closed in Get It Done after the information is entered into the Police dispatch system.	Monitored Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  For urgent issues outside of this time frame, please call (619) 531-2000.  If this is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
Scooter Issues	Within 24 Hours	Both riders and operators must follow regulations and rules related to Shared Mobility Devices.   Learn more about the City’s shared mobility devices program.
HOMELESS OUTREACH / ENCAMPMENT
Homeless Outreach / Encampment	29 days	Learn more about what happens when a homeless outreach / encampment is reported. Visit the City's Homeless Strategies & Solutions Department website for more details.
TREE MAINTENANCE
Tree Maintenance (Non-Emergency)	255 days	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.
Vegetation Encroaching on Sidewalk/Street	436 days	Due to steps required in the code enforcement process and a backlog of open reports, this type of report is taking longer than normal.
STORMWATER AND DRAINS
Storm Drain	90 days
Street Flooded	3 days* *emergencies are addressed within 24 hours

Last Updated: October 13, 2023

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.

If you already have trash and recycling services from the City, use this option to request additional containers.

For additional organic waste/ green container requests, customers must either be on an automated Greens route or on a new Organics route. Customers who currently do not have an automated greens yard waste recycling service and/or who have not been switched to an Organic Waste Recycling route will not be eligible for an additional organic waste/ green container until organics pick-up has started for your address.

The Request for Additional Containers 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, recycle, and greens/ organics 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 95 gallons, which has the capacity equivalent to three regular trash cans. Recycling containers are available at no charge, however, delivery fees will apply. For more information, please see Container Frequently Asked Questions.

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 a.m. 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. 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 issue related to 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, you can access resources by dialing: 2-1-1 by phone or visiting 211sandiego.org.

Depending on whether people are present, your report will be forwarded to the Neighborhood Policing Division (NPD), the Environmental Services Department (ESD) and/or homeless outreach specialists, as appropriate. NPD team members will respond to reports that indicate people are on-site. ESD team members will respond to reports that indicate people are not on-site and may require cleanup. Homeless outreach specialists receive reports and plan outreach activities based, in part, on data from Get It Done reports to help inform regional outreach efforts and may be contacted directly from NPD team members to offer assistance, such shelter placements and additional resources to help unhoused persons off the streets and into the path of self-sufficiency.

Typical outcomes for this type of report include services being offered to any people present, connection to a homeless outreach specialist, enforcement action, or movement of the encampment.

Learn more on the City's Homeless Strategies & Solutions department website.

Help/resources for residents experiencing homelessness in San Diego: 

• City of San Diego Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department 

• Centralized resource for San Diego homelessness services, assistance, data, and reports 

• City of San Diego Homelessness Response Center - HRCSD@sdhc.org / (619) 880-8810 

• The person is located anywhere in the City of San Diego 

• Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday Closed 

• 211 San Diego for County Resources - Dial 2-1-1 

• The homeless resident is located anywhere in San Diego County 

• Jewish Family Service Safe Parking Program 

• The resident is living in their car or RV and seeking a safe place to park 

 

For encampments: 

• File a Get It Done Report when... 

• The encampment is on the City's public right-of-way (e.g. sidewalks, roads, parks) 

• File a Caltrans Customer Service Request when.. 

• The encampment on state property (e.g. Park & Ride carpool locations, freeway onramps/underpasses) 

• Have the property owner file an SDPD Letter of Agency when... 

• The owner would like to grant police permission to enforce against anyone found on a property without the owner's consent or without lawful purpose 

 

For public safety incidents: 

• Call 911 when... 

• The person is behaving violently and threatening the safety of themselves or others (e.g. they have a weapon) 

• The person is damaging property (e.g. breaking into a home or a business) 

• Call SDPD Non-Emergency at (619) 531-2000 when... 

• There is no immediate threat or the crime already occurred and a report is needed 

• Call the County Mobile Crisis Response Team at (888) 724-7240 when... 

• The person is displaying a mental or behavioral health crisis that does not involve threats of violence or medical emergencies (e.g. yelling nonthreatening verbiage) 

The Get It Done system is currently set up to receive certain code enforcement-related complaints. Depending on the issue, different types of Code Enforcement-related issues are handled by different City departments.  The chart below provides direct links to online report forms.
 

To qualify as a 72-hour violation, a vehicle must be parked at the same location on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours. If a vehicle is moved more than 1/10th of a mile (which is just shy of two football fields in length) the 72-hour time allowance will reset. 

This information can also be viewed on the SDPD Abandoned Vehicles webpage. 

After submitting a 72-hour vehicle violation, the report will be routed to an officer for evaluation. Due to the code enforcement process, please allow up to 45-60 days to properly evaluate the report. 

Following their evaluation, an officer may close the report for one of many reasons, including: the vehicle has been towed, the vehicle was ticketed, the vehicle was gone on arrival, or the vehicle moved more than 1/10th of a mile (among other closure reasons.) 

For more information on what qualifies as a 72-hour vehicle violation, please see our FAQ. 

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.

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, on average, 309* days or more.
 
Recruitment efforts are underway to fill the City's Electrician vacancies. Learn how the City’s Transportation Team is reducing the backlog of nonfunctioning streetlights in our communities.  

*Based on the last 90 days of closed report data, as of 9/9/22.