How To Contact City of Atlanta Public Works: Phone Numbers, Services, and What To Expect

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.

Who Handles Public Works in the City of Atlanta?

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:

• Solid waste services (trash, recycling, yard trimmings, bulk pickup)
• Street and roadway maintenance (potholes, sidewalk issues, street sweeping)
• Traffic signs and signals (downed signs, malfunctioning signals)
• Stormwater drainage issues in some situations
• Right-of-way maintenance (debris or obstructions in the public right-of-way)

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.

The Main Number: 311 / ATL311

For most City of Atlanta Public Works calls, your best first step is ATL311.

From inside city limits:

• Call:3-1-1 (simply dial 311 from most local phones)

From outside Atlanta or on some cell plans:

• Call:(404) 546-0311

ATL311 is the City of Atlanta’s non-emergency customer service center. They can:

• Take service requests for Public Works issues
• Route your call to the correct Public Works division
• Give you pickup schedules, holiday changes, and program details
• Provide status updates on existing requests (using your service request number)

📌 Tip: When you call ATL311, write down your service request number so you can easily follow up later.

Common Reasons to Call City of Atlanta Public Works

Here are some of the most common reasons Atlanta residents contact Public Works, and what you should have ready when you call.

1. Trash, Recycling, and Yard Waste Issues

Public Works usually manages curbside solid waste services inside the City of Atlanta.

You might call about:

• Missed trash pickup
• Missed recycling or yard trimmings collection
• Damaged or missing trash/recycling carts
• Bulk item pickup (large furniture, appliances, etc., where permitted)
• Questions about what can be recycled or how to set out materials

Have this information ready:

• Your full address (including ZIP code)
• The type of service (trash, recycling, yard waste, bulk)
• Day and date your pickup was missed
• Description of the issue (e.g., cart broken, lid missing, cart not delivered)

You can request these services by calling 311 / (404) 546-0311 and asking for Solid Waste Services or the equivalent public works division.

2. Potholes and Street Repairs

If you’ve noticed a pothole or damaged section of street in Atlanta, Public Works is typically responsible for repair.

Call if you see:

• Deep potholes or road depressions
• Damaged pavement creating a driving hazard
• Issues after construction that weren’t fully restored

When you call:

• Provide the street name
• Note the nearest cross street or landmark
• Give a brief description (size and location in the lane)
• Indicate if it’s especially hazardous (e.g., near a crosswalk, on a major arterial)

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.

3. Sidewalk Damage and Right-of-Way Concerns

While sidewalk responsibility can sometimes be shared, Public Works often manages problems in the public right-of-way.

Call for:

• Broken, heaved, or missing sidewalk sections creating tripping hazards
• Obstructions in the public right-of-way (fallen limbs, debris, or dumped items)
• Overgrown vegetation blocking sidewalks or sightlines in public space

What to share on your call:

• Exact location (street address or nearby address)
• Type of issue (crack, uplift, missing slab, blocked path)
• Whether it affects wheelchair or stroller access

Again, start with ATL311 and request a sidewalk or right-of-way service ticket.

4. Traffic Signs and Signals

Some traffic-related issues are handled in coordination with Public Works / Transportation functions.

Call if you notice:

• Downed or missing stop signs
• Broken or unreadable traffic signs
• Traffic signal malfunctions (flashing, out completely, very short green)
• Pedestrian crosswalk signal problems

For these issues, you can:

• Call 311 / (404) 546-0311, and mention traffic signal or traffic sign issue
• If a traffic signal or stop sign is out and it presents an immediate safety danger, you may also contact Atlanta Police non-emergency or, in emergencies, dial 911

Have this ready:

• Intersection name (e.g., Peachtree St NE & 10th St NE)
• Signal or sign type and what it’s doing (or not doing)
• Approximate time you observed the problem

5. Storm Drains and Flooding in the Street

Some stormwater drainage and clogged storm drain issues may involve public works crews.

Call if you see:

• Street flooding around storm drains
• Visible blockage in a storm drain grate (trash, leaves, debris)
• Recurring pooling water that doesn’t drain after rainfall

Call 311 / (404) 546-0311, and be ready to share:

• Exact location
• How long the issue has been happening
• Whether water is affecting homes, yards, or only the street

For water coming into buildings or possible water main breaks, you may be directed to the Department of Watershed Management instead.

Key Atlanta Public Works Contacts & Info Summary

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.

Many departments will be reached through ATL311, which serves as the city’s main customer service gateway.

What To Have Ready Before You Call

To make your City of Atlanta Public Works call go faster and more smoothly, gather:

• Your full name
• Service address (or the exact location of the issue)
• A good callback number
• A clear description of the problem
• Any photos or details you may want to reference (even if you’re calling, photos can help if you also submit online later)

If you’ve already called before and are checking on a request, have your:

• Service request number
• Approximate date you filed the original request

When To Call vs. When To Use Other Channels

While many people prefer to pick up the phone, the City of Atlanta often allows service requests through multiple channels. Calling is useful when:

• You have a time-sensitive or safety-related concern
• You’re not sure which department handles the issue
• You prefer to speak to a person and ask follow-up questions

Other options (which often connect to the same 311 system) may include:

• An online service request portal operated by the city
• A mobile app associated with ATL311 or Atlanta city services

If you start online but need clarification, you can still follow up by phone using the same service request number.

When a Public Works Call Is Not Enough

In some situations, you may need to contact other Atlanta agencies in addition to, or instead of, Public Works:

• Emergencies or immediate danger (downed power lines, major accidents, active flooding endangering people): call 911
• Water leaks or sewer backups: often handled by the Department of Watershed Management, but starting with ATL311 helps get routed correctly
• Illegal dumping on private property, noise complaints, or code issues: may involve Code Enforcement or other departments, which ATL311 can connect you with

If ATL311 advises you that another agency is responsible, note:

• The name of that agency
• Any direct phone number provided
• Any reference or case number they assign

Practical Tips for Atlanta Residents Calling Public Works

A few Atlanta-specific habits can make your calls more effective:

• Call early in the day when possible: Phone lines can be busier during lunch and late afternoon.
• Avoid major holidays for non-urgent issues: Service schedules and phone queues are often affected around holidays when collection days shift.
• Be as specific as possible about location: In a large city with multiple “Peachtree” streets and similar names, including nearby landmarks and cross streets really helps.
• Report repeat issues: If your block has the same recurring problem (like a frequently missed pickup or a trouble-prone intersection), mention the pattern when you call. That context can sometimes prompt a broader or longer-term fix.

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.