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, run by the Office of Unified Communications, operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and routes callers to most city services.1Office of Unified Communications. 311 City Services For agencies people call directly, the numbers below cover emergencies, utilities, taxes, licensing, employment, human services, buildings, and the Mayor’s office.
311 for General City Services
Start with 311 if you aren’t sure which agency handles your issue. Common calls include potholes, bulk trash pickups, recycling, abandoned vehicles, graffiti, and missed trash or recycling collection, which goes through 311 rather than a separate Department of Public Works line.2Zero Waste DC. Residential Collection Information and Requests From outside D.C., or on a cell phone that won’t connect to the three-digit code, use (202) 737-4404.3Office of Unified Communications. Office of Unified Communications
Police, Fire, and EMS
Call 911 for any situation 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 are not emergencies, including a car break-in discovered later, a noise complaint, or a minor property crime, MPD directs callers to 311, or (202) 737-4404 from outside the District.4Metropolitan Police Department. Hotlines, Tip Lines and Important Numbers
Utility Emergencies
- Water and sewer emergencies, including water main breaks, sewer backups, and flooding from the public system: DC Water at (202) 612-3400, 24 hours a day.5DC Water. Contact Information
- Gas leaks: leave the building first, then call 911 and the Washington Gas emergency leak line at (844) 927-4427. Do not use your phone inside if you smell gas or hear hissing.6Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia. Natural Gas Leaks
- Power outages: Pepco at (877) 737-2662.
The DC Water emergency line is for situations that need a crew dispatched. Billing disputes and water quality questions go to the utility’s general customer service instead.
DMV, Taxes, and Business Licensing
- Department of Motor Vehicles: (202) 737-4404 for vehicle registration, driver’s licenses, and title questions. The DMV routes through the same system as 311.7Department of Motor Vehicles. Department of Motor Vehicles
- Office of Tax and Revenue: (202) 727-4TAX, which is (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 license applications and professional registrations.9DC.Gov. Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection
Unemployment and Employment Services
The Department of Employment Services takes unemployment claims and status questions at (202) 724-7000, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The same number handles weekly certifications and appeals.10District of Columbia Department of Employment Services. Contact Information
Crisis Lines and Human Services
- Mental health and substance use crisis: Department of Behavioral Health Community Response Team, (202) 673-6495, 24 hours a day. The national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline also works in D.C.11Department of Behavioral Health. Department of Behavioral Health
- Adult Protective Services, for suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults: (202) 541-3950, available 24/7.12Department of Aging and Community Living. Adult Protective Services
- Child abuse or neglect reports: (202) 671-SAFE, which is (202) 671-7233.13Child and Family Services Agency. Report Child Abuse and Neglect
- SNAP, TANF, and Medicaid questions: Department of Human Services customer service, (202) 727-5355, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.14Department of Human Services. DHS
Crisis lines are for situations where someone’s safety is at risk right now. General social services questions go to DHS customer service or 311.
Building Permits and Inspections
The Department of Buildings answers at (202) 671-3500 for permit applications, building code and zoning questions, and inspection scheduling. The office is open Monday through Friday, with a 9:30 a.m. opening on Thursdays rather than 8:30 a.m.15DC.Gov. Department of Buildings
Mayor’s Office
The Executive Office of the Mayor can be reached at (202) 727-2643, or by email at eom@dc.gov.16DC.Gov. Executive Office of the Mayor For routine service requests, 311 is faster. The Mayor’s line is more useful when another agency has not resolved your issue.