Schedule a bulky-item pickup
Trash & street issues
Department and partner websites, research and sources. Every link on this page leaves Civic Atlas.
Service and participation links kept from the earlier Directory.
Trash & street issues
Trash & street issues
Trash & street issues
Trash & street issues
Trash & street issues
Trash & street issues
City or County? Who handles what
City or County? Who handles what
City or County? Who handles what
City or County? Who handles what
City or County? Who handles what
City or County? Who handles what
City or County? Who handles what
City or County? Who handles what
Research & local history
City and County
Say what you see and exactly where. On the non-emergency line, choose non-emergency dispatch. Dispatch decides who goes; where available, that can be an unarmed CIRCLE team.
County
City
City
County area
Regional
Guide

City of Los Angeles
LA Sanitation & Environment manages services and infrastructure for solid waste, wastewater, and watershed protection.
AcronymLASAN
Phone1-800-773-2489
Websitesanitation.lacity.gov
Yours: a Bulky Item Pickup; have a list of the items. Someone dumped it: an Illegal Dumping Item Pickup.
An Illegal Dumping Item Pickup. Say what it is: bulky items, electronic waste, or metal and appliances. Debris under bushes beside a bin counts, StreetsLA says.
Service Not Complete (a missed collection). Say which bin: black for trash, blue for recycling, green for organics.
A Dead Animal Removal. Say what kind of animal and where it is: curb, street, alley or sidewalk.
A can on the sidewalk: Public Street Receptacles, then Overflowing Container. Your own bins not emptied: Service Not Complete.
Describe the specific sanitation issue and location. Separate waste from belongings; a cleanup report is different from requesting outreach for a person.
Say where the leaves or trash are above. Blocking the grate is a Flooding request, which LA Sanitation clears. On the street nearby is a Street Sweeping request to StreetsLA.
Report a sewer odor or standing water and its location. Do not assume the smell comes from a catch basin.
Report a spill or suspected hazardous waste. Describe what you can see without touching it. Immediate danger or a life-threatening emergency: call 911.
Report a suspected sewer overflow to LASAN. Describe visible sewage or water coming from a sewer opening.
Report pothole or street pavement damage. If the street is sinking or opening up, say that explicitly instead of describing only a pothole.
Report a Sidewalk Problem. If a mobility disability makes the route inaccessible, use the Access Request Program, yourself or for an identified person.
Choose one above. A light that stopped working is a streetlight repair in MyLA311. A block that never had streetlights starts with a petition by its property owners.
Ask for a street tree inspection. Explain whether a branch is hanging, a tree appears dead, or growth blocks a sign or light.
Report a traffic signal malfunction or damaged traffic sign. Say whether the signal is flashing, stuck, or the stop sign is missing.
Report a sidewalk obstruction. Describe what blocks the path and whether someone using a wheelchair can get through.
Report on MyLA311 (app or website): Public Right of Way Complaints > Dockless Mobility Enforcement. This starts the operator's 2-hour clock.
Report a missing or broken cover or grate. Say whether it is beside the curb, in the roadway, or on the sidewalk.
Describe a damaged curb or driveway approach and ask which inspection or repair service applies. Responsibility depends on the location and condition.
Ask for street marking or curb marking maintenance. Specify whether it is a crosswalk, stop line, or colored curb.
City palm fronds down: ask about Landscape Maintenance. Dumped private trimming debris: ask about Illegal Dumping Item Pickup.
Your own item: Item Pickups → Electronic Waste. Unclaimed items: Illegal Dumping Item Pickup.

City of Los Angeles
LADOT manages city transportation operations, including traffic signals, parking, and local transit services.
AcronymLADOT
Phone311
Websiteladot.lacity.gov
Ask LADOT to evaluate pedestrian safety at the location. You can start with a service request; you do not need to attend a Council meeting first.
No speed hump application exists: LADOT picks streets from a Council-adopted ranking. To put the speeding on record for LADOT's engineers, file a Traffic Safety request in MyLA311.
Which did you file? An application (2024 or earlier) is not automatically approved, LADOT says; the street is ranked instead. A Traffic Safety request: ask 311 with its SR number.
City of Los Angeles
LADWP is the city’s municipal water and electric utility, governed by its Board of Water and Power Commissioners.
AcronymLADWP
Phone800-342-5397
Websiteladwp.com
Contact LADWP about water trouble. Describe bubbling water, a broken hydrant, low pressure, or discolored water without guessing the cause.
Inside the City of LA, LADWP is your utility, not SCE.
In the City of LA, electricity comes from LADWP.
Call LA Animal Services about a coyote or other wildlife concern.
During heat, use an open City library or Recreation and Parks site.
City of Los Angeles
Choose whether you want to check property rules, find a proposed project, or participate in a planning decision.
City of Los Angeles
City Planning develops land-use policy and reviews development.
AcronymDCP
Phone
Websiteplanning.lacity.gov/preservation-design/local-historic-districts
Look the address up in ZIMAS first: not every Miracle Mile home has historic rules. Under Planning and Zoning, Historic Preservation Review says which case applies; pick it above.
City of Los Angeles
AcronymLADBS
Phone
Websitedbs.lacity.gov
Pick what the hedge does above. Over the sidewalk or a corner: a 311 report. Tall in their own yard: a Building and Safety complaint, only if over the limit.
To report a maintenance-related problem, such as a pothole, use the Customer Service Request.
LASD patrols 153 unincorporated communities and 42 of 88 cities.
The Board of Supervisors is the governing body of the County of Los Angeles, its executive and legislative head.
Call from a safe place. Say what the person is doing and exactly where. Do not approach or confront them.
Stay away. Do not touch the line or anyone or anything touching it. From a safe place, tell 911 the location and what you see.
Move away from the device and smoke. Call 911 from a safe place. Do not approach for a photograph.
Call 911. Tell the dispatcher where the person or vehicle is. Stay out of floodwater.
If a child is inside or trapped, call 911 now. Tell the dispatcher the exact location and what you see.
If you see smoke or fire, call 9-1-1 right away.
Leave the area now, then call SoCalGas from a safe place at 1-800-427-2200.
Get to a safe place. Call 911 and say where you are and what you see. Do not approach.
Call 911 from a safe place. Say where the person is and whether they are conscious or breathing.
Call 911 from a safe place. Say it is happening now and give the location. Do not confront anyone.
The key numbers above, as one picture for your phone.
City of Los Angeles
StreetsLA is the Bureau of Street Services. Residents can request pothole repair and other street services through MyLA311.
Public street lighting within Public Works.
City of Los Angeles
City Planning develops land-use policy and reviews development. Community plans describe how different parts of Los Angeles can grow.
Building and Safety provides plan review, permits, inspections, and code enforcement for residential and commercial buildings.
The Housing Department administers affordable-housing finance, rental-housing regulation, and housing development services.
City of Los Angeles
LAPD provides city law-enforcement services. The civilian Police Commission sets overall policy while the Chief manages daily operations.
LAFD responds to fires, medical emergencies, rescues, and hazardous-material incidents, and carries out prevention and public education.
Los Angeles County
City of Los Angeles
The Controller’s office handles city financial reporting and audits. Its work helps residents examine public spending and how city programs perform.
The Mayor directs the executive branch and proposes the city budget. Many board and department leadership appointments also require City Council approval.
City of Los Angeles
To speak: in person (sign in at the speaker kiosk), or by phone during the meeting: 833-435-1820, ID 165 917 6148, then *9. From anywhere: a written comment.
Follow an issue into a public meeting. Check the official agenda for current dates and participation instructions.
November 3 key dates, what’s on the ballot, and what each measure does.
City of LA
City of LA
City of LA
LA County
City of LA
City of LA
City of LA
Greater Wilshire
Guide
City of LA
City of LA
MyLA311, City of Los Angeles
Take the photo now. Finish the words later. A wide photo, a close photo, and the items you see. Write the short note while you are there and finish the request the same day. One problem per request, the City’s own name for it, and keep the request number.
Place, period and source matter. These entries retain their September 29, 2026 review date; confirm current figures with the linked source. The Graph and Follow the Money carry the current picture.
Each City Council member represents a district. The Mayor, City Attorney and Controller are elected citywide.
City elected officesThe Mayor proposes it. The City Council adopts or modifies it.
Council responsibilitiesThe Council enacts ordinances, subject to the Mayor’s approval or veto.
How Council worksLook up official names, phone numbers and email addresses.
Official City directoryExplore City spending, payroll, revenue and department metrics.
Controller’s open dataFind a service, understand who can act, and explore a practical next step.
Get help with an issueTotal City budget reported in Council District 2’s mid-year review. This is a budget allocation, not actual spending.
Read the City’s budget summaryFlea-borne typhus cases reported by County Public Health. Published April 2, 2026.
Read the County reportLAHSA provides separate City and County estimates. The point-in-time count estimates homelessness on a given night.
Open the 2026 count summariesCompare adopted budgets with revenue, spending and audited financial reports.
City financial reportsReview the County’s own budget and supporting documents, separately from the City budget.
County budget documentsTrace the guide back to its evidence, or go deeper into a topic.
Los Angeles Public Library’s Research Guides cover government documents, house history, maps, and more.
Review dates are check dates, not a promise that information is unchanged. Source methods & data downloads.
Source ID: charter · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Mayor, City Council
Source ID: roster · Posted: 2026-10-05 · Checked: 2026-10-14
Profile references: Mayor, City Council, City Attorney
Source ID: directory · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Transportation, Department of Aging, Los Angeles World Airports, Animal Services, Department of Cannabis Regulation, City Tourism Department, Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department, Community Investment for Families Department, Bureau of Contract Administration, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department on Disability, Economic and Workforce Development Department, El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, Emergency Management Department, Office of Finance, General Services Department, Information Technology Agency, Fire and Police Pensions, Personnel Department, Harbor Department / Port of Los Angeles, Office of Public Accountability, Los Angeles City Employees’ Retirement System, Bureau of Street Lighting, Youth Development Department, Los Angeles Zoo
Source ID: budget · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Mayor, City Administrative Officer
Source ID: budgetfile · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: attorney · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: City Attorney
Source ID: policeboard · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Police Commission, Police Department
Source ID: planningboard · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Planning Commission, City Planning, Central Area Planning Commission, East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, Harbor Area Planning Commission, North Valley Area Planning Commission, South Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, South Valley Area Planning Commission, West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission
Source ID: plans · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: City Planning, Housing Department
Source ID: housing · Reviewed: 2026-09-18 · Reference date: 2026-07-02
Profile references: Housing Department
Source ID: building · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Building & Safety
Source ID: transport · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Transportation
Source ID: worksboard · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Works Board, Public Works
Source ID: worksrules · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Works Board, Public Works
Source ID: fire · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Fire Department
Source ID: water · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Water & Power Board, Sanitation & Environment, Water & Power
Source ID: waterboard · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Water & Power Board
Source ID: parksboard · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Recreation & Parks Board
Source ID: parks · Reviewed: 2026-09-18 · Reference date: 2025-05-01
Profile references: Recreation & Parks
Source ID: library · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Library
Source ID: libraryboard · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Library Commission
Source ID: sanitation · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Sanitation & Environment
Source ID: streets · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Street Services
Source ID: engineering · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Bureau of Engineering
Source ID: empower · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Neighborhood Empowerment
Source ID: nc · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Neighborhood Empowerment
Source ID: clerk · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: City Clerk
Source ID: meetings · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: City Council, City Clerk
Source ID: lookup · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: City Council
Source ID: pothole · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Transportation, Street Services
Source ID: county-board · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Board of Supervisors
Source ID: county-powers · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Board of Supervisors
Source ID: county-directory · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: District Attorney
Source ID: county-overview · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: county-geography · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: county-muas · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Board of Supervisors
Source ID: county-locator · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Works
Source ID: county-districts · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: county-works · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Works, Parks and Recreation
Source ID: county-report · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Works
Source ID: county-budget · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Chief Executive Office
Source ID: county-coc · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Sheriff, Sheriff Civilian Oversight Commission
Source ID: county-rpc · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Regional Planning Commission
Source ID: county-planning · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Regional Planning
Source ID: county-health · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Health
Source ID: county-health-area · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Public Health
Source ID: county-parks · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Parks and Recreation
Source ID: county-library · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: LA County Library
Source ID: county-da · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: District Attorney
Source ID: county-dept-roles · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Sheriff, Assessor
Source ID: city-trash-guide · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: city-sidewalk-guide · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: city-311-guide · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: mayor-office · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Profile references: Mayor
Source ID: mayor-updates · Reviewed: 2026-09-18
Supporting reference for educational content or participation guidance.
Source ID: commissions-directory · Reviewed: 2026-09-19
Profile references: Board of Airport Commissioners, Board of Animal Services Commissioners, Board of Building and Safety Commissioners, City Ethics Commission, Board of Civil Service Commissioners, Cultural Heritage Commission, Board of Neighborhood Commissioners, Rent Adjustment Commission, Board of Transportation Commissioners, Zoo Commission
Source ID: council-role · Reviewed: 2026-09-19
Profile references: City Council
Source ID: mayor-role · Reviewed: 2026-09-19
Profile references: Mayor
Source ID: cla-role · Reviewed: 2026-09-19
Profile references: Office of the Chief Legislative Analyst
Source ID: controller-direct · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Controller
Source ID: controller-audits · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Controller
Source ID: works-bureaus · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Public Works
Source ID: planning-procedure · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Planning Commission
Source ID: planning-hearings · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Planning Commission, Central Area Planning Commission, East Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, Harbor Area Planning Commission, North Valley Area Planning Commission, South Los Angeles Area Planning Commission, South Valley Area Planning Commission, West Los Angeles Area Planning Commission
Source ID: fire-oversight · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Board of Fire Commissioners
Source ID: harbor-oversight · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Board of Harbor Commissioners
Source ID: county-assessor-direct · Reviewed: 2026-09-24
Profile references: Assessor
Source ID: da-officeholder · Reviewed: 2026-09-26
Profile references: District Attorney
External research and examples, reviewed September 24, 2026. Inclusion is not endorsement or proof that findings apply to Los Angeles.
Programs & real-world examples
Programs & real-world examples
Programs & real-world examples
Programs & real-world examples
Programs & real-world examples
Programs & real-world examples
Tools & participation frameworks
Tools & participation frameworks
Tools & participation frameworks
Tools & participation frameworks
Tools & participation frameworks
Tools & participation frameworks
Tools & participation frameworks
Tools & participation frameworks
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Studies & evidence
Design & evaluation
Design & evaluation
Design & evaluation
Design & evaluation
Design & evaluation