City Services Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Please note that many city services can be requested by calling 3-1-1. If you are unable to access 3-1-1 from your phone, please call their toll-free number at 1-866-452-2489.

When will my street be resurfaced?
Call 3-1-1 or 1-800-996-2489 to request an inspection by the Bureau of Street Services.

When will the City fix my sidewalk?
Please call 3-1-1 or 1-800-996-2489 and city forces will provide temporary asphalt repair.

What if I am willing to pay for the costs of fixing my own sidewalk?
If you are willing to undertake the costs associated with fixing your sidewalk, the city has two ways to assist you.

(1) If you would like to do the repairs yourself or hire a contractor, you must obtain a “Class A” permit from the Bureau of Engineering. You can obtain a “Class A” permit at:

                          West Los Angeles District Office
                          1828 Sawtelle Blvd. 3rd Floor
                          Los Angeles, CA 90025
                          (310) 575-8384
                          Click here

(2) The city offers the Sidewalk Reconstruction 50/50 Program. The 50/50 Program is a voluntary partnership program where the city will undertake 50% of the costs to reconstruct a sidewalk and the resident will take up the other 50%. Permit fees and inspections fees are waived. To obtain more information, please call (818) 374-6857 or click here. Please note: Due to overwhelming response for the 05/06 Fiscal Year, the 50/50 Program will begin taking new requests in June 2006 for the 06/07 Fiscal Year.

When will my trees be trimmed?
Call 3-1-1 or 1-800-996-2489 to request an inspection by the city’s Urban Forestry Division.

How do I report a pothole that needs to be repaired?
Call 3-1-1. The Bureau of Street Services has a 48- hour turn around time when filling potholes.

How can I get my street, which is littered with debris, cleaned?
Contact the Bureau of Street Services at 3-1-1 to request street cleaning.

My trash wasn’t picked up (black, green and/or blue cans), who do I call?
The Bureau of Sanitation is the responsible city entity for collecting refuse and bulky items. Their toll-free number is 1-800-773-2489 or you can call 3-1-1 or you can fill- out the online request form by clicking here.

My trash can is broken/missing, how can I get a replacement?
Call 3-1-1 or 1-800-773-2489 to request a replacement or or you can fill-out the online request form by clicking here.

I have a bulky item that needs to be picked up, who do I call?
The Bureau of Sanitation is responsible for picking up bulky items. They will normally pick it up on the day of your regular trash collection (depending on what the item is). The bulky item must be placed in the parkway in front of your home. Please call
1-800-773-2489 or 3-1-1 to request bulky item pick-up or fill out their online form by clicking here.

I have hazardous waste that I need to get rid of, who do I call?
In the 11th District there are two Hazardous Collection Centers that are administered by the Bureau of Sanitation. Please note that there is a limit to the amount of chemicals you can transport. For more information or to find out what materials are accepted at these centers click here or call 1-800-98-TOXIC.

Southern District (Westchester, Playa del Rey, Del Rey, Marina del Rey and Venice):
                          Hyperion S.A.F.E. Collection Center
                          7660 W. Imperial Hwy. Gate B
                          Playa del Rey, CA 90293
                          Open Saturday and Sunday
                          9:00 am to 3:00 pm
                          Click here

Western District: (Mar Vista, Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Santa Monica Canyon,
West LA and Palms):
                          U.C.L.A. S.A.F.E. Collection Center
                          550 Charles E. Young Dr. West
                          Los Angeles, CA 90095
                          Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday
                          8:00 am to 2:00 pm
                          Click here

There’s an abandoned car (parked on a street for over 72 hours without moving) in my neighborhood, who do I call?
Department of Transportation will address this concern. Call 1-800-ABANDON to report the vehicle. Please make sure that you have the year, make, model, color and license plate number of the vehicle.

There is frequent speeding on my street, how can I get this to stop?
You can address this issue in a few ways.

(1) The Los Angeles Police Department, West Traffic Division can monitor your neighborhood and cite drivers who are violating the law. Please call 213-473-0451 to request enforcement in your neighborhood.

(2) You can request Speed Humps. To initiate the process, please call the Western District Office of the Department of Transportation at (310) 575-8138.

(3) You can request “Watch the Road” lawn signs to place in front of your home. This will, hopefully, educate drivers in your neighborhood that watching the road while driving is important. To obtain a lawn sign, stop by one of my two district offices:

                          Westchester Field Office
                          7166 W. Manchester Ave.
                          Westchester, CA 90045
                          (corner of Lincoln and Manchester, next to the Library)

                                   Or

                          West LA Office
                          1645 Corinth Ave. #201
                          West Los Angeles, CA 90025

To find out more about the “Watch the Road” campaign, click here

I’m having concerns about the traffic in my neighborhood, how do I get involved in finding solutions?
You can get involved in many ways!

(1) The Department of Transportation Senior Transportation Engineer, Mohammad Blorfroshan, meets regularly with Traffic Committees in the 11th District. Please send him an email or call him to be added to the list of contacts. His phone number is (310) 575-8138 and his email address is mo.blorfroshan@lacity.org.

(2) Call or email the Field Deputy in your area and ask to be contacted when the traffic committee meets in your neighborhood.

                          Venice Mobility Action Committee
                          Field Deputy: Mark Grant
                          Mark.grant@lacity.org

                          Westchester Mobility Action Committee
                          Field Deputy: Isaac.Lieberman
                          Isaac.Lieberman@lacity.org

                          Mar Vista Traffic Committee
                          Field Deputy: Len Nguyen
                          Len.nguyen@lacity.org

                          Del Rey Traffic Committee
                          Field Deputy: Isaac Lieberman
                          Isaac.Lieberman@lacity.org

(3) Check my website frequently for updates on what I’m doing to alleviate traffic in the 11th District.

(4) Visit the Department of Transportation’s website by clicking here.

How do I get the graffiti in my neighborhood removed?
You can call 3-1-1 or Pacific Graffiti Solutions at 310.204.2749 and report the graffiti. Please make sure to give them an exact location. There is a 48-hour turn around time for graffiti removal. You can also fill-out the online request form by clicking here.

Is it illegal to operate a gas powered leaf blower within the city?
Yes, the use of gas powered leaf blowers within 500’ of a residence is prohibited within the City of LA. To report violations of this ordinance, please call the Leaf Blower Complaint Line: 1-800-996-2489. The use of electric and battery powered leaf blowers is permitted.

What are the permitted hours for construction work in a residential neighborhood?
A person is allowed, between the hours of 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, to perform construction or repair work, and 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. on Saturday. Any violation of this ordinance should be reported to your local police station.