What to do
For concerns relating to lack of water or low water pressure, use a different form instead.
For concerns relating to tap water quality, use a different form instead.
1. Fill out a form
We will need to know:
- The location and legal address of the building
- The type of problem (nature of request)
- A description of the problem
Make sure that you select the right nature of request when filling out the form, this will help ensure your request is routed to the correct agency to handle. View the special cases at the bottom of this page for examples of different types of problems you can report.
2. Track your case
After you report, you will get a tracking number from 311. You can use this number, and your email address if provided, to track your case online.
Expected Response Time
The City's goal is to inspect within 1 business day for:
- Blocked exit in common areas
- Electrical problems
- Elevator problems
- Fire alarm system
- Fire sprinkler system or other fire hazard
- Inadequately secured perimeter or other security issues
- Lack of heat
- Lack of hot water
- Missing or broken smoke detectors
- Paint with lead that is violating safe practices
- Visitor Policy violations
The City's goal is to inspect within 2 business days for:
- Bathrooms
- Bed bug infestation
- Broken doors or windows
- Broken or leaking plumbing
- Clutter or hoarding inside the unit
- Community kitchen problems
- Decks, stairs, or handrails
- Dirty or flooded light wells
- Garbage receptacles
- Illegal unpermitted construction
- Illegal guest room conversions
- Inadequately maintained building exterior
- Inadequate ventilation
- Mail service delivery problems
- Missing or expired fire extinguishers
- Mold and mildew
- Other general maintenance
- Peeling paint
The City's goal is to inspect within 4 business days for:
- Noise caused by building systems
- Rodent or insect infestation
Phone
Phone
Call 311 to make a report
415-701-2311 if calling from outside San Francisco
For TTY, press 7
Special cases
Bathrooms
Bathrooms
For reporting issues pertaining to bathrooms. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Bathroom not maintained in a clean or functional manner
- Inadequate mechanical or window ventilation
- Insufficient number of working bathrooms for a floor
Community kitchen
Community kitchen
For reporting issues pertaining to community kitchens. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Kitchen area not maintained in a clean or functional manner
- Entry doors to the kitchen area are not self closing
- Counter, flooring or sink not made of impervious or non-absorbent materials
- Kitchen lacks electrical power
Doors
Doors
For reporting issues pertaining to doors. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Exterior door not properly maintained or not fully functional
- Exterior door not waterproof
- Exterior door too tight fitting in frame
- Residential building door being used for front entrance
- Garage, stairway, boiler room, or garbage room door lacks self-closing mechanism or are blocked from closing properly
- Unlit entrance door not self closing or lacks a 135-degree viewer
Elevator
Elevator
For issues pertaining to elevators. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Elevator not working or not properly maintained
- Elevator certification expired or not displayed
Elevators not working in building with seven or more stories
Elevators not working in building with seven or more stories
For reporting broken elevators in buildings with seven or more stories.
Garbage receptacles
Garbage receptacles
For reporting issues pertaining to garbage receptables and trash cans or the rooms where they are kept.
Some examples of problems include:
- Insufficiently covered garbage receptacles
- Inadequate garbage pick-up service
- Garbage room doesn't have sheet metal walls, sheet metal ceiling, or fire sprinkler
- Garbage room is full of debris
Illegal guest room conversions
Illegal guest room conversions
For reporting the illegal repurposing of a permanent housing unit for tourist or other temporary uses. Learn more about the Residential Hotel Unit Conversion and Demolition Ordinance on the Department of Building Inspection's website.
Light wells
Light wells
For reporting issues pertaining to light wells. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Light well not kept clean or operational
- Dirt or debris obstructing light from entering into the building
Non-hazardous electrical
Non-hazardous electrical
For reporting non-hazardous electrical issues. For hazardous electrical problems, call 311.
Some examples of problems to report are:
- Built in electrical appliances not working
- Lights or switches not working
Plumbing
Plumbing
For reporting issues pertaining to plumbing. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Plumbing not working or backed up
- Leaking pipes
Visitor policy violation
Visitor policy violation
Report a guest that was prevented from visiting a residential room in violation of the Uniform Hotel Visitor Policy.
Ventilation
Ventilation
For reporting issues pertaining to ventilation. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Ventilation or vent system not maintained, functional, or is missing
- Inadequate ventilation for clothes dryers, garages, garbage rooms, public halls, or any room with a gas appliance
Windows
Windows
For issues pertaining to windows. Some examples of problems to report are:
- Window not properly maintained, tightly fitting in frame, not weather-proofed, or not fully operational
- Window painted or nailed shut
- Replacement window lacking sufficient weather stripping
- Escape window is not 25 inches wide or 24 inches deep
Get help
Phone
415-701-2311 if you are calling from outside of San Francisco
For TTY, press 7
Last updated September 25, 2024