The main phone number for Washington, D.C. government departments is 311 from inside the District, or (202) 737-4404 from anywhere else. That line reaches the Office of Unified Communications, which handles service requests and general government questions 24 hours a day, every day of the year.1Office of Unified Communications. 311 City Services Direct lines for the departments residents call most are below.
Start With 311 If You’re Not Sure
If you don’t know which agency handles your issue, dial 311. It’s the right number for potholes, missed trash or recycling pickups, bulk pickup requests, abandoned vehicles, graffiti, and most other routine service requests.1Office of Unified Communications. 311 City Services2Zero Waste DC. Residential Collection Information and Requests From outside D.C. or from a cell that won’t connect to 311, use (202) 737-4404.3Office of Unified Communications. Office of Unified Communications
Have the exact street address and a short description of the problem ready before you call. You can also submit and track most requests at 311.dc.gov.
Emergency and Police Numbers
Call 911 for anything involving immediate danger to life or property. That reaches dispatchers for the Metropolitan Police Department and D.C. Fire and Emergency Medical Services.
For police matters that aren’t emergencies — a car break-in discovered after the fact, a noise complaint, a minor property crime — call 311 rather than 911. MPD routes non-emergency reports through that same system, which means (202) 737-4404 from outside the District.4Metropolitan Police Department. Hotlines, Tip Lines and Important Numbers
Utility Emergencies
- Water main breaks, sewer backups, and flooding from the public system: DC Water, (202) 612-3400, 24 hours.5DC Water. Contact Information
- Gas leaks: leave the building first and don’t use your phone inside. Once you’re at a safe distance, call 911 and the Washington Gas emergency leak line at (844) 927-4427.6Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. Natural Gas Leaks
- Power outages: Pepco, (877) 737-2662, or pepco.com/outage.
The DC Water emergency line is for situations that need a crew dispatched. Route billing questions or non-urgent water quality concerns through regular customer service instead.
DMV, Taxes, and Licensing
- Department of Motor Vehicles: (202) 737-4404, for vehicle registration, driver’s licenses, and titles. This is the same number as 311 from outside D.C., because the DMV routes through the same system.7Department of Motor Vehicles. Department of Motor Vehicles
- Office of Tax and Revenue: (202) 727-4TAX / (202) 727-4829, for income tax, property tax, and business tax questions.8Office of Tax and Revenue. OTR Customer Service Center
- Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection: (202) 671-4500, for business licenses and professional registrations.9DC.Gov. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Unemployment and Employment Services
The Department of Employment Services handles unemployment claims, benefit questions, weekly certifications, and appeals at (202) 724-7000, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.10District of Columbia Department of Employment Services. Contact Information
Crisis Lines and Human Services
- Mental health or substance use crisis: Department of Behavioral Health Community Response Team, (202) 673-6495, 24/7. The national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline also works from D.C.11Department of Behavioral Health. Department of Behavioral Health
- Adult abuse, neglect, or exploitation: Adult Protective Services, (202) 541-3950, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.12Department of Aging and Community Living. Adult Protective Services
- Child abuse or neglect: (202) 671-SAFE / (202) 671-7233.13Child and Family Services Agency. Report Child Abuse and Neglect
- SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid questions: Department of Human Services, (202) 727-5355, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.14Department of Human Services. DHS
Building Permits and Inspections
The Department of Buildings can be reached at (202) 671-3500 for permit applications, building code and zoning questions, and inspection scheduling. The office is open Monday through Friday, with a later 9:30 a.m. opening on Thursdays instead of the usual 8:30 a.m.15DC.Gov. Department of Buildings
Mayor’s Office
The Executive Office of the Mayor is at (202) 727-2643, located in the John A. Wilson Building at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. You can also email eom@dc.gov.16DC.Gov. Executive Office of the Mayor For routine service requests, 311 will get you to the right place faster. The mayor’s office is worth knowing when an agency hasn’t resolved your issue and you need to escalate.