When Should I Dial 311?

So, what is 311, and when should you use it? Especially if you’re new to city living, you may not have used this helpful service before. Dialing 311 is a toll–free option available to most major city residents where you can request assistance for city services and information. Calling 311 is for those non-urgent emergencies where you still need the help of city authorities or personnel. Think of it as a one-stop shop for filing complaints, concerns, or questions about your community, available 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Here’s a list of some of the most common 311 calls that residents make:

• Dangerous animal sightings 
• Pests (ex: rats or wasps nests)
• Trash or debris blocking walkways
• Traffic light malfunctions 
• Noise complaints 
• Graffiti removal
• Broken meters
• Bulk pickups
• Leaking hydrants or sewer issues
• Inquiring about city agency contact information

You may be wondering, “Once I stumble upon a 311-worthy issue, what’s the best way to get in touch with the city for help?” Well, luckily, that part is pretty simple! You have a few options: dialing 311 (or 202-737-4404 if you’re located outside the District) and being directed to the right office, texting NEW to 23311, tweeting @311DCgov, visiting the user-friendly online portal at 311.dc.gov (our favorite option), or live chatting with someone on the portal! If you are submitting a request, you will receive a confirmation number that allows you to track the status via the online portal or through a registered 311 account.

Before you jump to calling 911, searching for a contractor, or crowdsourcing on NextDoor, remember that 311 actually handles A LOT. Your issue may very well be resolved by DPW, DGS, or DDOT. AND, by dialing 311 you are freeing up 911 responders for true emergencies happening in our city. Now that you know when to dial 311, we bet you have something on your to-do list that you can check off easily by hopping on that portal!