If you live in Atlanta, Georgia, you’ll deal with Public Works at some point—whether it’s a missed trash pickup, a pothole on your street, a broken traffic sign, or questions about recycling. Knowing who to call, what number to use, and what information to have ready can save you a lot of time and frustration.
This guide walks through how to make a City of Atlanta Public Works call, what issues they handle, and the quickest ways to get help.
In Atlanta, many everyday city services people think of as “public works” are handled under the broader Department of Public Works and related divisions. These typically cover:
For water and sewer issues, the Department of Watershed Management is a separate division, but many residents still start by calling the main city help line.
For most City of Atlanta Public Works calls, your best first step is ATL311.
From inside city limits:
From outside Atlanta or on some cell plans:
ATL311 is the City of Atlanta’s non-emergency customer service center. They can:
📌 Tip: When you call ATL311, write down your service request number so you can easily follow up later.
Here are some of the most common reasons Atlanta residents contact Public Works, and what you should have ready when you call.
Public Works usually manages curbside solid waste services inside the City of Atlanta.
You might call about:
Have this information ready:
You can request these services by calling 311 / (404) 546-0311 and asking for Solid Waste Services or the equivalent public works division.
If you’ve noticed a pothole or damaged section of street in Atlanta, Public Works is typically responsible for repair.
Call if you see:
When you call:
These requests can be placed via 311 / (404) 546-0311, which will create a service ticket and route it to the appropriate street maintenance crew.
While sidewalk responsibility can sometimes be shared, Public Works often manages problems in the public right-of-way.
Call for:
What to share on your call:
Again, start with ATL311 and request a sidewalk or right-of-way service ticket.
Some traffic-related issues are handled in coordination with Public Works / Transportation functions.
Call if you notice:
For these issues, you can:
Have this ready:
Some stormwater drainage and clogged storm drain issues may involve public works crews.
Call if you see:
Call 311 / (404) 546-0311, and be ready to share:
For water coming into buildings or possible water main breaks, you may be directed to the Department of Watershed Management instead.
Below is a simple reference for typical City of Atlanta Public Works call needs. Phone numbers and roles can change, so treat this as a starting point and confirm details when you call.
| Need / Service Type | Who to Call First | Typical Number |
|---|---|---|
| General Public Works questions | ATL311 | 311 or (404) 546-0311 |
| Missed trash, recycling, yard waste | ATL311 → Solid Waste Services | 311 or (404) 546-0311 |
| New / replacement trash or recycling cart | ATL311 | 311 or (404) 546-0311 |
| Potholes or street surface damage | ATL311 | 311 or (404) 546-0311 |
| Sidewalk damage in the public right-of-way | ATL311 | 311 or (404) 546-0311 |
| Traffic signal or sign problems | ATL311 (or 911 if emergency) | 311 or (404) 546-0311 |
| Street flooding / clogged storm drains | ATL311 | 311 or (404) 546-0311 |
Many departments will be reached through ATL311, which serves as the city’s main customer service gateway.
To make your City of Atlanta Public Works call go faster and more smoothly, gather:
If you’ve already called before and are checking on a request, have your:
While many people prefer to pick up the phone, the City of Atlanta often allows service requests through multiple channels. Calling is useful when:
Other options (which often connect to the same 311 system) may include:
If you start online but need clarification, you can still follow up by phone using the same service request number.
In some situations, you may need to contact other Atlanta agencies in addition to, or instead of, Public Works:
If ATL311 advises you that another agency is responsible, note:
A few Atlanta-specific habits can make your calls more effective:
By using ATL311 and clearly describing your issue, you can make your City of Atlanta Public Works call more efficient and increase the chances of a timely response. Whether you’re dealing with trash, potholes, street flooding, or traffic signage, starting with 311 will usually get you to the right city staff to handle your concern.
