If you live in, work in, or are visiting Atlanta, Georgia, the 311 service is one of the most useful tools you can use to get non-emergency help from the City of Atlanta. It’s designed to be a single, easy-to-remember number you can contact for many city services, questions, and complaints.
This guide explains how Atlanta 311 works, what you can report, how to contact them, and what to expect once you file a request.
Atlanta 311 is the City of Atlanta’s non-emergency customer service and information line. It connects you to various city departments so you don’t have to track down individual office numbers.
Use Atlanta 311 to:
Think of 311 as your front door to Atlanta city services—while 911 is for emergencies, 311 is for everything routine and non-urgent.
This line typically connects you to a customer service agent who can enter a service request, look up existing cases, or direct you to the right department.
While the phone line is widely used, many residents prefer online or mobile app options so they can attach photos or submit requests after hours. Common features usually include:
If you use the city’s official 311 platform or app, you’ll typically create an account or log in with your email, then choose a service category, describe the issue, and mark it on a map.
For more complex issues, some people still prefer going to a city office. While 311 itself is a contact center, many of the departments it connects to are based at or near:
Call ahead or check the relevant department’s hours before going in person, because many service requests can only be opened or tracked through phone or online 311 systems.
Knowing which number to call is important for both your safety and efficient city response.
Atlanta 311 handles thousands of different types of requests. Below are some of the most common categories residents and visitors use.
You can use 311 to get help with:
These requests are typically routed to the City of Atlanta Department of Public Works (Solid Waste Services).
Many neighborhood-level issues go through 311 first, including:
Having details like cross streets, direction of travel, or nearby landmarks helps crews find and fix the problem faster.
Atlanta residents often use 311 for matters related to the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, such as:
For major breaks causing flooding or serious property damage, 311 may route you to or coordinate with the appropriate emergency line.
You can start many code complaints with 311, including:
311 usually takes basic information and forwards it to Code Enforcement or the relevant department.
While dangerous animal situations may require 911, 311 can be used for:
Atlanta 311 is also a general information line. You can ask about:
To help Atlanta 311 assist you efficiently, it’s useful to be prepared with:
You can usually choose whether to leave your contact information or file anonymously, but giving a phone number or email often helps the city follow up or clarify details.
Once you contact 311 and submit a request, a service ticket is typically created. Here’s what usually happens:
You receive a confirmation number
Your request is routed to the right department
City staff review and schedule work
Status updates (if available)
Possible follow-up
Response times in Atlanta can vary based on:
Common patterns residents often report:
If it feels like your request is taking too long, you can:
Below is a simple summary to keep the essentials clear:
| Need | Who to Contact | How 311 Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Life-threatening emergency | 911 | 311 is not for emergencies |
| Non-emergency city services | Atlanta 311 | Opens service tickets for many departments |
| Sanitation/trash issues | Through 311 → Public Works | Missed pickup, bulk items, damaged carts |
| Potholes/streets/signals | Through 311 → Public Works | Potholes, broken signals, signs, street hazards |
| Water/sewer questions | Through 311 → Watershed Management | Billing questions, leaks in street, non-emergency |
| Code enforcement complaints | Through 311 → Code Enforcement | Overgrown lots, trash, some nuisance issues |
| General city info (hours, etc.) | Atlanta 311 | Directs you to the appropriate office or resource |
A few simple habits make 311 much more effective for you and your neighbors:
Be as specific as possible
Clearly describe what is wrong and exactly where it is.
Report issues early
A small pothole or leak often gets worse—and more expensive—over time. Early reporting helps the city prioritize repairs.
Use photos when you can 📸
If the online system or app allows images, a good photo can help crews find and understand the issue faster.
Note your case number
Write it down, screenshot it, or save the confirmation email.
Encourage neighbors to report too
Multiple reports about the same recurring issue (like flooding at a specific corner or frequent trash misses on a block) can help show that it’s a pattern, not a one-time problem.
Using Atlanta 311 is one of the easiest ways to help keep the city running smoothly, whether you’re a long-time resident, a new arrival, or someone spending time in the city. Knowing when and how to contact 311—and what to expect after you do—puts you in a better position to address everyday problems and get accurate information from the City of Atlanta.
