San Francisco Bay Area 311 Services, Reports
First off, I wanted to create this guide to highlight the newest update of the 311 service in San Francisco (within the last month). The old system was clunky and required a lot of steps to submit a report, but this latest version makes filing reports much easier.
The 311 services are offered by many larger cities in the San Francisco Bay Area which are designed to track and fix issues that all under the jurisdiction of said cities. It also allows residents to track reports and hold officials accountable. Without it, things take longer to get fixed (if at all). For smaller cities, there are non-emergency numbers posted on city websites.
As someone who has filed more than my fair share of reports on 311, I have learned some tips to make sure which reports are worth your time, how to report them accurately to increase chances they are addressed by the city, and common mistakes people make with filing reports.
Related read: Why Does San Francisco Have So Much Trash?
What Can You Report On 311 Apps, Sites & Phone Calls?
Noise complaints (look up quiet hours first as simply loud noises during the day may be a waste of time reporting).
Fake construction signs (signs left after dates posted, dates/details that look fake but please check site/qr code to look up permits to make sure its the case).
Cones on public street saving parking spots
Fireworks. Not sure what that loud noise was? Check this page.
Trash: feces, overflowing bins, dumpings
Flyers/stickers on public poles (unless they adhere to local jurisdiction rules)
Vehicles blocking driveways, intersections, bus stops, sidewalks, fire hydrants and muni lines (especially in inner Sunset)
Defective sidewalks (cracks)
Clogged sewer drains
Overgrown trees (blocking street lights, stop signs, street permit signs etc.)
Fallen trees
Overgrown shrubs extending into sidewalks
Bus stop broken glass, faded tow-away signs etc.
Street lights out
Abandoned vehicles
Overgrown trees in roundabouts blocking visibility (other vehicles, bikes and pedestrians)
San Francisco: Illegally painted red curb tips (can also email ccp@sfmta.com w/ photo, include red curb & house w/ street number visible for quicker response)
Report Lime Scooters Blocking Street, Knocked Over
Scooters blocking sidewalks, dumped in streets (recommend contacting said companies with complaints as our city officials should not endure costs and resources to clean up their mess)
Other good uses of local 311 services? Comment below or send a tip!
How To Submit 311 Reports San Francisco Bay Area
Some cities have 1, 2 or 3 methods to file 311 reports.
Online website, 311 app or 311 phone number
Solve311 App (alternative 311 app San Francisco; uses AI from photo to suggest correct category); also allows users to forward reports to the local supervisor.
I recommend using app/site so you can submit proof (photos) but you can also call as well but be sure to submit photos in report to increase chances of success.
Related read: Bay Area Free Bulky Drop Off, Pickups Mattress, Furniture
How To Cancel 311 Reports
SF: call San Francisco 311 (3-1-1 or 415-701-2311 from outside SF) to speak with customer service rep who can process cancellation for you (can’t do it within app)
For other jurisdictions, look it up.
Related Read: Donate Batteries, E-Waste Recycling & More
Reasons Why 311 Reports Are Closed, Not Fixed
Reported to the wrong jurisdiction
Highways are under Caltrans jurisdiction
Presidio: Non-Emergency Dispatch: Call (415) 561-5505 to report ongoing non-urgent issues like property damage, noise, or public safety concerns.
PG&E jurisdiction: downed power lines, overgrown trees tangled in power lines
Incomplete report (missing details) i.e. pothole approximate depth, photo showing amount of trash, photos showing car in intersection (ideally capture plates too in photo frame)
Filed incorrectly (wrong category marked)
Didn’t give it enough time (issues are dealt with based on urgency, information provided, resources and more).
Bad photo(s)
Solve311 app blurs photos or snaps them too late/early so subject is not in the photo; recommend uploading photo vs using in app camera
May need to take 2+ photos i.e. one of issue close up and one photo zoomed out to show exact location, provide context on size/urgency
Bad photos (don’t show severity of the issue)
Wrong address provided
Already reported or the report was combined with another other report
Bad reporter (filing too many complaints that are frivolous); could be you are not taken seriously as a result.
Sometimes reports are closed inadvertantly so may have to report again.
Offense if not that serious i.e. one piece of paper trash, car blocking sidewalk by 1 inch etc. Don’t report things like this; it only drains resources and reduces chances more serious issues are dealt with first.
Related Read: Clothing Donation Options San Francisco Bay Area
Alternatives To San Francisco Bay Area 311 Reports
Get neighbors, friends to submit reports (more eyeballs on case)
Contact news agencies (have documentation, show reports being closed/ignored, gather support from neighbors)
Contact your local supervisors
Contact mayor’s office.
San Francisco 311 Public Data Set
https://data.sfgov.org/City-Infrastructure/311-Cases/vw6y-z8j6
San Francisco Bay Area Cities With 311 Or SeeClickFix
SeeClickFix (acquired by CivicPlus in 2019) partners with several Bay Area cities to manage 311 inquiries. There is a list of cities below.
East Bay 311 Services, Reports
Alameda SeeClickFix: Oakland, Dublin, Milpitas, San Leandro, Alameda, Emeryville
Contra Costa SeeClickFix: Clayton, Walnut Creek, Concord, Antioch
South Bay & Peninsula 311 Services, Reports
SeeClickFix: Menlo Park, Atherton, Foster City, Morgan Hill, Gilroy, Daly City
North Bay 311 Services: Solano, Marin, Napa, Sonoma
SeeClickFix: Vallejo, Benecia, American Canyon, Yountville, St. Helena, San Rafael
311 App San Francisco, 311 Site Oakland, How To Report Trash 311 App, Report Graffiti 311 Site, Report Potholes Bay Area, Report Overgrown Trees Bay Area, Report Car Blocking Intersections, 311 Noise Complaints, Report e-scooters San Francisco, Scooter 311 Complaint Oakland, Report Abandoned Vehicles, Report Abandoned Lime Scooters, Report Knocked Over E-Scooters, Report Lime Scooter Parking, Lime Scooter Customer Complaints, SeeClickFix Cities Bay Area, SeeClivFix Cities East Bay, SeeClickFix Cities South Bay, SeeClivFix Peninsula, SeeClivFix Cities Solano, SeeClickFix Cities Marin, SeeClickFix Cities Napa