FAQs

Graffiti on City property is within the jurisdition of the City of Los Angeles. This includes, street signs, sidewalks, trash bins, walls and even graffiti on private property viewable from a public street. In such cases, you can call 3-1-1 or visit the City of Los Angeles' MyLA311 web site. The specific web page where a service request to remove graffiti can be submitted is here.

If you see graffiti on the freeway, on/off-ramps, and freeway sound walls, call Caltrans at 213-897-3656. If you see graffiti within the LA River, call Los Angeles County at 800-675-4357.

Telephone complaints to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health Environmental Health Customer Call Center at (888) 700-9995 Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., excluding Holidays.

Or use the Online Complaint Form

Anyone who has seen or experienced a hate crime or incident can report anonymously to the LAPD at 1-877-ASK-LAPD, or reach a crisis care coordinator by calling  2-1-1, 3-1-1 or visiting www.lavshate.org/report.

If you are having trouble with noise generated by a neighbor's party or a loud TV or any other neighbor related noise, then it's best to contact your local police station directly, which you can call at (877) ASK-LAPD (275-5273). Don't call 911, though, because noise complaints aren't considered emergencies.

Please contact the City of L.A. Bureau of Sanitation at (800) 773-2489 for the pick-up of dead animals.

Lighting and setting off fireworks of any kind, are illegal in Los Angeles County unincorporated communities such as Sherman Oaks. You can report people breaking the law by calling the local police or fire department's non-emergency phone number. You may call 311, the police non-emergency number, to report the use of fireworks in your neighborhood. Or you can report them at https://complaint.lacity.org/Complaint/fireworks/, including as much information as possible on the incident (address, description of suspect, whether fireworks are actively underway, etc). Reporting illegal activities or use of fireworks to 911 should be limited to those instances when the activity is in progress and poses a threat or danger to others or yourself.

To do this, you may call the Department of Public Works Road Maintenance Division at (626) 458-3981 or visit their Report a Problem section at http://dpw.lacounty.gov/contact/. The first link in that section will take you to an online form where you can report the location of the pothole.

Call the LA Department of Sanitation for missed trash pick-ups, broken or stolen trash containers at: 800-773-2489

You should never pour used motor oil down any drain and you should never throw used oil filters into any trash receptacle.  The City of Los Angeles Department of Sanitation has several S.A.F.E. Collection Centers located all around the city that will accept used motor oil and used oil filters. Used oil filters are shredded and the used oil is separated from the steel. The steel is melted at a steel mill and recycled into rebar. The used oil is recycled into refined oil and is good for reuse. There are several collection centers located in the San Fernando Valley to serve the residents of Sherman Oaks.

These are:

1. North Valley - Nicole Bernson SAFE Center - 10241 N. Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA 91325


2. Sherman Oaks - Jiffy Lube #1346 - 14103 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91423


3. Van Nuys - Autozone #5495 - 14058 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401


4. Van Nuys - Firestone Store #011711 - 6530 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, CA 91401


5. Panorama City - Pep Boys #879 - 8521 Van Nuys Blvd., Panorama City, CA 91402


6. Panorama City - O'Reilly Auto parts #2925 - 14550 Nordoff St., Panorama City, CA 91402

It is against the law to transport more than 55 gallons of used oil to a collection site. You must first call the collection facility to ensure they can accept 20 gallons or more of used oil. Please pack used oil in sturdy containers no bigger than 5 gallons so that it does not spill during transport.

For more information call 1-800-773-2489 or visit www.lacitysan.org