Water leaks, uncollected trash, potholes, damaged signals and other municipal problems can be reported 24 hours a day. Each request generates a case that can be checked later.
HOUSTON, Texas — A water leak in the street, uncollected trash, a pothole, a malfunctioning traffic signal or a parking violation can be reported to Houston 311, the City of Houston’s system for non-emergency municipal service requests.
The center operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Residents can dial 311, use the online portal, send an email, or file the case through the Houston 311 mobile app.
After receiving the request, 311 forwards it to the responsible department. The case number allows reviewing later the status and the actions recorded.
Houston 311: ways to report a problem
- Within Houston: dial 311.
- If 311 doesn’t work or you are calling from outside city limits: 713-837-0311.
- Online: Houston 311 portal.
- App: Houston 311 for mobile devices.
- Email: [email protected].
- Hours: telephone assistance 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Houston 311 receives more than 200 types of municipal requests
Houston 311 serves as an entry point for more than 200 types of service requests that are then assigned to the appropriate city department.
Among the issues that can be reported are:
- potholes;
- water leaks;
- sewer problems;
- trash not picked up;
- heavy trash not removed;
- issues with water service;
- dead animals on the public street;
- illegal dumpsites;
- traffic signals needing maintenance;
- hazards or damage on streets;
- parking violations;
- property-related issues that may constitute a nuisance;
- issues related to parks, trees and other city services.
Available categories also cover trash and recycling, graffiti, water and drainage, streets, parking, properties, construction, animals, parks, permits and other City of Houston services.
Trash, leaks and street problems are among the most common complaints
Issues related to basic services appear repeatedly among the requests Houston 311 receives.
The municipal list of most frequent requests currently includes dead animal pickup, uncollected trash, uncollected heavy trash, property issues, parking violations, sewer problems, hazards on streets, signal maintenance, water leaks and water service issues.
Related: During 2025, uncollected trash and water leaks were among the top reasons for 311 complaints in Houston.
The exact address helps route the case to the correct department
Online reports require identifying the location of the problem. An exact address allows linking the request to the location and corresponding jurisdiction.
When an address does not appear correctly, some cases can be registered using a nearby intersection.
The mobile app also allows confirming the location, selecting the type of request, writing a description, and adding a photograph when useful to document the issue.
The case number allows checking the status of the case
Each request receives a case number. When the user provides an email address when submitting online, Houston 311 sends that number as confirmation.
The status can be checked in three ways:
- by entering the case number in the Houston 311 portal;
- by checking the report within the mobile app;
- by calling 311 or 713-837-0311.
The portal also allows searching for cases associated with a location and reviewing open or recently closed requests on the 311 map.
A closed case does not always mean a repair occurred
Houston 311 receives and channels the requests, but it is not the office that decides to close cases. That decision rests with the municipal department that received the work.
A case may appear as closed because:
- the work was completed;
- an inspector could not confirm the issue;
- the condition was within permitted parameters;
- the original case was closed and replaced by another type of request;
- another person had already reported the same problem and the case was identified as a duplicate;
- the matter belonged to another entity, such as Harris County, TxDOT or a utility company, and was referred.
For that reason, reviewing the case details can be more useful than simply looking at whether it appears as “open” or “closed.”
Requests can be anonymous in many cases
Houston allows submitting many requests without publicly identifying the person making the report.
In the mobile app it is possible to submit a request as a guest and hide identity. However, some service types may require contact information.
Providing an email or phone number also allows the responsible department to request additional information when needed.
Houston 311 serves City of Houston services, not all county addresses
Houston 311 pertains to the services of the City of Houston. Harris County also includes independent cities and unincorporated areas that fall under other authorities.
A mailing address that uses “Houston” does not by itself confirm that the property is within municipal boundaries.
When a problem falls under Harris County, TxDOT, CenterPoint or another entity, the City may close the municipal case after forwarding it to the responsible authority.
Emergencies require 911 and non-urgent police matters have another number
Houston 311 is used for municipal problems that do not pose an immediate threat to life or property.
An emergency requiring immediate response from police, fire, or medical services should be reported to 911.
When a service from the Houston Police Department is needed that is not an emergency, the corresponding number is 713-884-3131.
A municipal water leak, a faulty traffic signal, a pothole, or garbage collection problems fall under 311; a fire, a medical emergency, a crime in progress or an imminent danger fall under 911.
The portal allows submitting a request and reviewing the case in the same place
Houston keeps online tools to open a request, search for a case and check its status.
Residents can use the official Houston 311 portal to submit a report or enter the case number and review its progress.
Phone assistance remains available 24 hours at 311 or 713-837-0311.
