City of Austin Helpful Phone Numbers

• Building Permits
• Creek Drainage Complaints
• Crime Prevention
• Dead Animals
• Dispute Resolution Center
• Dumping on Roadside
• Electric Utility
• Home Chemicals Collection
• Library Services
• Loose Animals
• Parks Maintenance
• Parks and Recreation
• Police Reports by Phone
• Pothole Complaints
• Recycling
• Rodent Control
• School Pedestrian Sidewalk Safety
• School Zone or Cross Walk
• Stop Signs
• Street Light Repairs
• Street Lights
• Street Signs Down
• Traffic Signal Malfunction
• Traffic Signals
• Tree Trimmings
• Trees Hanging Over the Roadways
• Trees on Electric Lines
• Victim Services

Most residential construction (remodel, repair, addition) requires a building permit and may often require purchase of additional permits for installation of electric wiring, plumbing pipes or new fixtures, heating or air conditioning systems. Upon securing a permit, you will be provided information for requesting inspections on your project. The purpose of these inspections is to assure the work is accomplished safely and to protect your property investment. To qualify for a Homeowner's Permit, you must file a homestead exemption with the Travis County Central Appraisal District. A homeowner's permit allows you to do work on your home. If you do not wish to claim the house as your homestead exemption then you must hire a licensed electrician, plumber, and/or mechanical contractor. Fees for remodeling and repairing are based on the valuation (labor and materials) of the work begin done. Fees for additions are based on square footage. Call the Permit and License Center of the Department of Planning and Development to obtain information on submittal requirements and fees.

Report overgrown/trashed drainage areas to the Environmental Health Services Division of the Health and Human Services Department. The exact location of the problem is needed. Your name and phone number are not required but would be helpful should the inspector be unable to locate the problem. An inspector will be sent to investigate the reported area. If the location is the responsibility of the private property owner, the owner will be contacted. If the property is the responsibility of the City, the Stormwater Management Division of the Public Works Department at 499-7115 should be notified. They are also responsible for handling complaints regarding obstructions to the flow of water in drainage ways.

The Community Services Division of the Austin Police Department offers residents the opportunity to reduce crime in their neighborhoods by introducing programs like neighborhood watch and personal safety lectures. They also provide free home security checks, which can save you an additional 5% off your home insurance policy, if you qualify.

The removal of dead animals is a service provided by the Solid Waste Department. The animal must be on the curb or in the street in order to be hauled off. Do not put the animal in your trashcan. If the property is vacant or residents cannot move animal to the curb, call the Environmental Health Services at 469-2015.

What can you do about a dispute with a neighbor? Your next door neighbor's tree is hitting your roof and she won't trim it. Your neighbor plays loud music at 3 am on a weeknight. You think your neighbor constructed his new fence on your property. Your neighbor, when watering his plants, waters your car. These are common disagreements or issues neighbors face. Handling disagreements with a neighbor is a delicate and important issue. Mediation is a technique that can help you resolve small to big issues between neighbors. Mediation is a process in which people involved in a dispute sit down and find their own solution with the help of a mediator. A mediator is a person who is neutral to the dispute and has training in techniques to get people talking. Mediation can be done for small to large disagreements. The choice to enter into mediation means that both parties want to resolve the conflict, want to make their own decision or outcome (as opposed to a judicial decision), and maintain confidentiality for the issue. Common case issues that are covered in mediations with neighbors are: pets, harassment, property boundaries, vandalism, noise, money issues, cross- cultural conflicts, improper use of property (unauthorized auto repair, day care, etc.). The City of Austin currently does not have staff mediators for neighborhood disputes, however, below is a suggested location where you can contact for more information about mediation in Austin:

 Dispute Resolution Center 512/371-0033
 5407 N IH35, #410 
 Austin, TX 78723
 (Non-profit, community resource for conflict resolution)

Dumping on Roadside 499-2111

Large items illegally dumped on the roadside should be reported to Solid Waste Services. The exact location and type of items being reported should be given (example: a sofa left in the 5000 block of Z Street on the West Side). An inspector will be sent to the site. If the items present a hazard to traffic or pedestrians, they will be removed immediately. If no hazard exists, they will be placed on a prioritized schedule for removal.

If you feel your electric use is too high or have other questions about your electric service, you can contact an Electric Utility Consumer Service Representative. They can answer your questions over the phone or schedule a home visit. Available information includes electric safety, metering, rates and billing.

The home chemical collection site is located a 4411 Meinardus Drive. The Center is open one day a week, Wednesday from 12 noon to 7 p.m. They accept oil, batteries, paint, cleaners, and acids.

The Austin Public Library has 17 branch locations and the Austin History Center. The Central location hours are (Mon-Thurs. 9-9 p.m., Fri-Sat. 9-6 p.m. and Sun. 12-6 p.m.). There is no charge to Austin residents for a library card; however, there is a $48.00 fee per year for out of city residents.

The Environmental Health Services division of the HHSD provides control of loose dogs in the city. Requirements for registration and rabies vaccination of animals are also enforced. Residents should call to report loose dogs or animals, which have bitten or scratched someone. There is no charge for capturing a loose animal. It typically takes one hour after notification before an animal control officer arrives. Classification of priority: loose dogs around day care centers and schools, bites, traffic problems. Privately owned animals who are no longer wanted should, whenever possible, be taken by their owner to the city shelter at 1156 W. Caesar Chavez Street.

Maintenance in City parks should be reported to the Parks and Recreation Department between 7:00 am and 4:00 p.m. after hours reports may be made to the Electric Utility dispatch number 322-9100. Be as specific as possible about the problem you are reporting (example: drinking fountain on the southeast side of Givens Parks is broken). Park personnel will be sent to investigate and fix the problem.

The Parks and Recreation Department offer a variety of recreational and social services for all ages. PARD has 15 recreation centers, 3 senior activity centers, and 16 senior luncheon program sites. For more information call the above number.

Police reports can be made by telephone IF the situation is NOT an emergency and it is NOT necessary for a police officer to come to the scene of the crime. For instance, old thefts can be reported by telephone for insurance claims. However, if the situation is an emergency and a police officer is needed callers must call 911.

Report potholes to the Public Works and Transportation Department. An inspector will be sent to look at the pothole and evaluate the urgency of the repair. It will put on a list for repair in priority order.

Curbside recycling is available to all customers of Solid Waste Services. Items that can be recycled are newspapers, magazines, catalogs, tin cans, glass containers, plastic milk jugs, water, soda and liquor bottles and aluminum cans. To recycle cans, bottles, and jars remove food residue and lids. Aerosol cans, window glass, dishes and plastic items should not be placed in the recycling bin. If it looks like rain, keep newspapers and magazines indoors until your next pick-up day. Prevent litter by bundling correctly. Stack in a paper grocery sack or bundle with string. Place next to your recycling container. Get a recycling container by calling 499-2111.

The Health Department organizes neighborhood clean-ups in a 10-block area. Every neighborhood is cleaned once every quarter. Residents must put all trash and bulky items at the edge the street. City trucks will come by to load items and give rat bait to residents. For more information call the number above.

To report dangerous conditions or request and evaluation to have a school crossing guard assigned, call the Department of Public Works and Transportation. Give specific information regarding the problem and the exact location of the trouble (example: in the 1000 block of X Road going west the flashing school zone lights are out).

To request a new school zone or cross walk near a school, call the Traffic Engineering Division of Public Works and Transportation. A traffic study will be done to determine if the request can be met.

Stop signs are installed as safety measures to assign right of way. To determine if a stop sign is needed, there must be one of several conditions including heavy traffic, poor visibility, and pattern of accidents and near schools. Citizens can call the number above for a service representative monitor the location. If the location poses immanent danger a sign will be put up quickly; otherwise, it takes approximately three weeks to install a stop sign.

To report burned out or defective streetlights call the above number. It normally takes three working days to repair; however, storm repairs may take longer. Street and Bridge Repairs 440-8444 Citizens can report when street surfaces or pothole condition is considered dangerous and a possible threat to public safety. Hazard conditions are defined as: items in the street, oil spills, guard/bridge rail damage of any kind, or excessive rocks on the street. Emergency conditions or threats to public safety will be responded to immediately. If the citizen’s request is non- hazardous, a supervisor will inspect the site and estimates when it will be cleaned up. Minor repairs are usually done within five days. Major repairs may take months depending on the situation.

If you believe your neighborhood needs additional lighting, first discuss it with your nearby neighbors to make sure everyone is in agreement regarding where a street light would best serve the neighborhood. Electric utility staff will come to your neighborhood and access the lighting request. An adjoining property owner must request additional lighting in alleys. If additional lighting is justified, construction may take six to eight weeks.

Citizens can report a downed street sign by notifying the Public Works and Transportation Department at 476-0935 Monday-Friday a.m. -3:30 p.m. After hours calls can be referred to the emergency dispatcher at Signs are either classified as hazard or non-hazard. "Hazard signs" are Stops, Yields, Do Not Enter, etc. or have fallen in such a manner as to be a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles. "Hazard signs" are dispatched immediately and responded to within two hours of receiving a call. Signs that do not fall into the hazard category are typically replaced within four to six weeks.

Citizens can report malfunction of traffic signals to Public Works Department. The response time is normally within an hour for an inspector to survey the damage. However, depending on the severity, example (downed pole, flashing lights) turn around time is prioritize ranging within a couple of hours to a week. Damage signals from heavy storms may take even longer to repair. For more information call the number above.

Traffic signals are installed to control traffic. Criteria for traffic signals is stringent and traffic conditions must justify the installation. To install a traffic signal, one of the following criteria must be met: Heavy volume of traffic and/or numerous accidents at intersection. Call the Public Works and Transportation and give location where a traffic signal is needed. An inspector will assess the situation by determining volume of traffic or if a pattern of accidents is occurring.

Citizens can report overgrown tree limbs hanging over power lines either at their home or on public property to the Electric Department. If the situation is considered dangerous the limbs will be cut the same day. If not service takes approximately two weeks.

Trees hanging over the driving lanes or over a portion of the City's right-of-way should be reported to the Parks and Recreation Department. Please be as specific as possible about the location (example: large tree limbs hanging in the left hand lane of ABC Blvd. on the north side in the 2000 block). Park personnel will be sent to assess the situation and schedule the removal on a prioritized basis.

Report trees on power lines to the Electric Utility. Give exact location of trees on the lines (example: an oak tree has branches on the electric lines behind the house at 6500 West Ave.). An inspector will be sent to assess the situation and the limbs will be scheduled for removal as needed.

Victim Services is a crisis intervention division of the Austin Police Department that helps citizens in immediate traumatic crime situations. Counselors usually arrive within 30 minutes after the police officers have notified the crisis team. Victim Services will later arrange for an appointment to be made for additional counseling. All services rendered are at no cost to the citizen and are available 24 hours a day.