Services

	Abandoned Vehicle Tow trucks owned by the City of Chicago performed abandoned vehicle removals until 1989, when the City implemented a privatization program that contracted a private firm to perform this work. The abandoned vehicles are taken to auto pound 3S or 3N where they are -- if not redeemed by the owners -- sold for scrap. Please call 311 to locate your car. Since this privatization program began, more than 500,000 abandoned vehicles have been towed and impounded.

	Anti-Litter - Every Litter Bit Hurts Littering is a serious problem in Chicago. The City spends millions of dollars each year to clean-up litter.

	Apply For an Above Ground Storage Permit Application forms and information about applying for an above ground storage permit can be found here.

	Apply for a Landfill, Liquid Waste Facility, and/or Transfer Station Permit Information about who should apply for a Landfill, Liquid Waste Facility, and/or Transfer Station Permit and application forms can be found here.

	Apply for a Recycling Facility Permit Information about applying for a recycling facility permit, along with the recycling facility permit application, can be found here.

	Apply for a Rock Crushing Permit Application and information regarding applying for a rock crushing permit can be found here.

	Apply for a Streeterville Right-of-Way or Property Permit Based on the U.S. EPA’s recommendation, the City of Chicago is requiring radiation surveillance prior to intruding soils in the Streeterville Area.

	Apply for an Air Pollution Control Permit Application information and forms for air quality permits can be found here.

	Apply for an Underground Storage Tank Permit Information about applying for an underground storage tank permit and application forms can be found here.

	Check Status of Garbage Cart Service Request Check status of a service request regarding a missing or stolen Garbage Cart.

	Chicago Green Homes Program The Chicago Green Homes Program (CGHP) is an integrated design approach to sustainability for homeowners, contractors, and residential developers. A voluntary credentialing program, the program provides a flexible framework for innovative building, while promoting environmental awareness and sustainable living throughout the City.

	Chicago Sustainable Backyards Program Chicago’s Sustainable Backyards Program is an educational and incentive program that highlights the many ways Chicago residents can create more environmentally-friendly landscapes in their yards. Together, as more and more residents install a rain barrel or plant a tree, we will make a positive impact on our quality of life in Chicago!

	Chicago's Citywide Clean & Green Volunteer Clean-up This service request is used to request supplies for neighborhood clean-up activities. Tools are loaned to community groups throughout the year. Requests for tools must be received 3-4 business days prior to date of clean up.

	Dates of Non-Scheduled Garbage Collection Non-Scheduled Dates for Garbage Collection.

	Dead or Damaged Trees The Bureau of Forestry coordinates the removal of parkway or trees in the public way that are dead or damaged.

	Division and Sanitation Offices The Bureau of Sanitation has District and Ward Sanitation Offices throughout the city responsible for coordinating local garbage pick-up, sanitation code enforcement, snow removal operations and other services. District and ward superintendents monitor their sections of the city for any non-sanitation bureau services that might be needed, reporting these to the appropriate bureau or outside agency for attention.

	Emerald Ash Borer The emerald ash borer (EAB) is an exotic beetle from Asia that was discovered feeding on ash (Fraxinus sp.) trees in southeastern Michigan in 2002.

	Garage, Yard & Apartment Sale Permit, Sanitation Chicagoans planning to hold garage, yard and apartment sales can obtain their required permits at any of the city's 50 ward sanitation offices. Locations of these ward offices can also be obtained by calling the city's 311 non-emergency number.

	Greencorps Chicago Welcome to the City of Chicago's premier green job training program! Greencorps Chicago has been training Chicago individuals with barriers to employment since 1994. We are excited to continue to build on this legacy and strengthen our program to provide training and career paths for hard-to-employ Chicagoans.

	Illegal ('Fly') Dumping Illegal dumping, or "fly dumping," is the dumping of any waste material on public or private property without a permit from the Department of Public Health (CPDH).

	Illegal Fly Dumping, Trash Dumping Information about reporting an illegal dumping, or "Fly Dumping" can be found here.

	Keeping the Chicago River Clean Chicago has two boats that are dedicated to keeping the Chicago River clean and its banks graffiti free.

	Landscape Ordinance Since 1991, the City of Chicago has required developers to include landscaping in their building plans to beautify property and screen the perimeters of parking lots, loading docks and other vehicular use areas.

	Maxwell Street Market Partnership Information Dating back to the 1840’s, this legendary market continues to thrive with over 380 vendors selling an eclectic mix of food and merchandise.

	Nature in the City - Environmental Programs

	Pay Liquid Waste Fee Information and forms to pay liquid waste fees can be found here.

	Public Offered Parkway Trees Chicago property owners who want a new tree planted on their parkways should call City Hall to register for this free city service.

	Rat Stoppage Tickets City of Chicago rodent control experts will inspect the interior of any private property at the request of its owner and offer an evaluation of the best possible means to eliminate a rat problem.

	Rats in Chicago Mayor Daley has continued Chicago's increasingly effective rodent abatement program, including four successful new strategies

	Reduce Unwanted Mail and Phone Books: At Home, at Work Stop unwanted phone books, catalogs, coupons and credit card solicitations at the source. City residents and businesses can sign up for the mail preference service at https://chicago.catalogchoice.org/.

	Report An Environmental Complaint Information about reporting an environmental complaint can be found here.

	Report a Dead Animal Reports of dead animals should be made to city's request line at 3-1-1.

	Request a Garbage Cart More than 1.5 million, heavy duty plastic 96-gallon garbage carts with tight fitted lids often referred to as super carts are supplied free to single-family residences and apartment buildings of four units or less.

	Rodent Baiting, Rodent Control Chicago's Bureau of Rodent Control investigates all rat sightings and rodenticide is placed in rat burrows.

	Roll-Out Refuse Carts All residential garbage is placed in plastic, lidded 96-gallon garbage carts often referred to as super carts supplied free to Chicagoans.

	Snow Program/Winter of 2012-2013 Information on overnight parking, snow ban and winter parking restrictions.

	Subcontractor Payment Certification Form Subcontractor Payment Certification form and instructions

	Tree Planting The Bureau of Forestry plants trees along the public way throughout the City of Chicago.

	Tree of the Year Each year 10 lesser known trees are highlighted to increase usage and promote species diversity.

	Volunteer As a Recycling Block Captain Become part of a volunteer grassroots network and support the Blue Cart Recycling Program.

	Volunteer for the Chicago Conservation Corps The Chicago Conservation Corps (C3) recruits, trains, and supports a network of volunteers who work together to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods and schools through environmental service projects.

	Weed Control High weeds can conceal illegal activities, obscure dangerous debris, harbor rodents, serve as a breeding ground for mosquitoes and West Nile Virus and contribute to allergies and breathing difficulties. That's why Streets & Sanitation's Bureau of Street Operations is aggressive about keeping overgrown weeds from becoming a problem in our neighborhoods.

	Wood Chips The wood from trees and branches removed by the Bureau of Forestry is ground into wood chips.