Los Angeles County Public Works: Service Requests, Permits, Roads and Utilities

Los Angeles County Public Works provides infrastructure and community services involving roads, drainage, flood control, building permits, waste programs, and certain water and sewer systems. This guide helps you identify the responsible provider, report a problem, choose a permit service, search available records, and find the appropriate contact.

Independent information guide: This website is not affiliated with Los Angeles County Public Works. Official agencies and their designated providers handle service requests, applications, inspections, utility accounts, and payments.

Need urgent assistance? For an urgent Public Works request, call 800-675-4357, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For an immediate threat to life or safety requiring emergency assistance, call 911.

Choose Your Next Step Check Your Service Provider Report a Problem Permits and Project Approvals EPIC-LA Services Building Permit Records Road Closures Waterworks Account Services Sewer Services and Maps Trash, Recycling and Disposal Forms, Maps and Project Information Public Works Contacts Before You Submit

Choose Your Next Step

Public Works responsibilities include water resources, transportation, environmental services, construction management, and municipal services. The appropriate contact depends on the location, facility, and action you need to take.

Starting points for common Public Works tasks
Your task	Where to start	What to prepare
Report an urgent Public Works hazard	Call 800-675-4357. Call 911 when emergency assistance is needed for an immediate threat to life or safety.	Exact location, observed condition, and immediate hazards.
Report a pothole, blocked storm drain, graffiti, or illegal dumping	Choose the appropriate problem-reporting category.	Address or road segment, cross streets, description, and photographs obtained safely.
Determine who serves a property or facility	Use the Service Locator and confirm with the listed provider.	Complete address, facility type, and the service needed.
Apply for a permit or project approval	Review the relevant Permit Center category.	Project location, description of the work, plans, and existing application details when applicable.
Pay a permit invoice or request an inspection	Locate the correct EPIC-LA invoice or existing record.	Invoice number for payment; permit or record details for an inspection.
Find a past building permit	Search the Building Permit Viewer.	Address, current 10-digit Assessor Identification Number, and approximate project date when known.
Check a County road closure	Review the current road-closure system.	Road name, community, affected segment, and intended travel time.
Manage a Waterworks District bill or restore water service	Use MyWAM or contact Waterworks.	Account number, customer number, and service address.
Find trash collection or disposal services	Identify the provider and material type.	Service address, account information when applicable, and a description of the material.

Check Your Service Provider

A location within Los Angeles County is not automatically served by County Public Works for every function. Cities, state agencies, utility providers, and other public agencies may manage particular roads, facilities, or services.

Start with the Address

Open the Public Works Service Locator.
Enter the complete address and search for the location.
Select the relevant construction, utilities, road, or transit category.
Review the service information and contact the listed provider when responsibility is unclear.

Use the incident location for a road or maintenance report, the project address for a permit, and the service address for a utility account. A mailing city name or ZIP Code alone may not identify the responsible provider.

The locator is a starting point for finding services. Confirm permit acceptance, facility maintenance responsibility, or utility coverage with the appropriate office before submitting documents or payment.

Projects May Involve More Than One Agency

Building review, land-use approval, road work, utility connections, and environmental requirements may involve separate authorities. The Public Works Permit Center directs unincorporated-area land-use questions to the Department of Regional Planning and provides information about permits from other cities and agencies.

Report a Public Works Problem

The official problem-reporting page provides categories for streets and roads, water resources, graffiti, illegal dumping, building or construction concerns, and other service requests.

Choose the Appropriate Category

Streets and roads: Roadway maintenance concerns such as potholes.
Water resources: Drainage, blocked storm drains, water-wasting, and related concerns.
Graffiti, illegal dumping, trash and debris: Conditions requiring the corresponding cleanup or reporting route.
Building, construction, and code concerns: Suspected violations or property conditions through the designated category.
Other listed matters: Follow the page's referral for the specific issue.

Public Works also provides access to The Works app for supported County service requests, including potholes, graffiti, overgrown trees, blocked storm drains, illegal dumping, and certain property or County park maintenance concerns.

Describe the Location and Condition

Provide the address, intersection, or exact road segment.
Identify the affected side of the street or direction of travel when useful.
Explain what you observed and when you noticed it.
Describe whether the condition blocks access or creates a hazard.
Attach photographs only when they can be obtained safely.
Keep any confirmation or service-request number.

Do not enter traffic, floodwater, restricted property, or another hazardous area to obtain a photograph or inspect a problem.

Urgent Requests

For an urgent Public Works request, call 800-675-4357. Describe the location and current condition so staff can assess and route the request.

If a condition becomes urgent after an online submission, call and explain the change, including the earlier request number when available. Use 911 for an immediate emergency requiring police, fire, or medical assistance.

Permits and Project Approvals

The official Permit Center organizes applications, standards, forms, fees, and office information by the type of work.

Public Works permit categories and questions to resolve
Proposed work or activity	Permit category	What to confirm
Construction or alteration subject to building review	Building and Safety	The agency serving the property, required plans, applicable permit types, and the local office.
Excavation, utility work, or other activity affecting a County road or right-of-way	Road	Road jurisdiction, the affected area, permit provisions, and any traffic or utility coordination requirements.
Work affecting County flood-control property or facilities	Flood Control	Facility responsibility, the activity proposed, and required review or authorization.
Industrial waste, underground storage tanks, construction waste plans, or other listed environmental activities	Environment	The specific program, project stage, application, supporting documents, and inspection requirements.
An event or activity affecting general use of a County bikeway	Bikeways	The trail, affected segment, event details, and whether a permit is required.
Transportation or moving activity covered by County permit requirements	Transportation/Moving	The proposed movement, route, and requirements of the responsible authority.

Prepare Before Applying

Confirm the project address and responsible permitting agency.
Describe the full scope of work, including impacts outside the building or property.
Review the requirements for each affected permit category.
Gather the plans, forms, authorizations, and other documents requested.
Check current fees and submission instructions.

A building permit does not automatically authorize road excavation, work on flood-control property, a utility connection, or land-use changes. Confirm each required approval with the responsible office.

EPIC-LA Permit Services

EPIC-LA provides supported County application, payment, inspection, and public-record services. It serves multiple County departments, so verify the record type and handling department before taking action.

Applications and Account Access

Use the application guidance and permit-selection tools to identify the appropriate permit, plan, or license. Create or sign in to an account when the service requires it, and retain the application or record number.

For applications reviewed by multiple departments, follow each department's requests and approval conditions. A coordinated application does not eliminate separate technical or regulatory requirements.

Check current portal notices before submitting or uploading. Keep the confirmation and review the record to ensure the intended transaction was completed. A saved draft or uploaded file does not by itself establish that a permit has been issued.

Invoice Payments

The Pay Invoice function requires an invoice number. Check the invoice, project, department, and amount before paying rather than substituting a permit number or parcel identifier.

Retain the payment receipt and verify that the payment is associated with the correct record. Follow the portal's current payment instructions if the provider or payment process changes.

Inspection Requests

Request an inspection through the existing record for the project. Confirm the permit, property, inspection type, and any preparation instructions before submitting.

Check the confirmation or scheduling information provided by the system. An inspection request does not establish that the inspection has occurred or that the work has passed.

Public Record Searches

EPIC-LA supports searches for available permits, plans, inspections, code cases, requests, and licenses. Review the record category and project details, especially when several records relate to the same address.

Payment and Email Verification

EPIC-LA's fraud notice states that official County correspondence uses County email addresses and that the County will not request funds by wire transfer. Verify an unexpected payment request through the responsible department's published contact information.

Reach payment providers through the official portal or department page. An email sender name alone is not proof that a message is authentic.

For EPIC-LA payment questions or issues, the portal lists epiclahelp@lacounty.gov. Direct project requirements and approval questions to the department handling the record.

Building Permit Records

The Building Permit Viewer provides available permit information for unincorporated areas and certain contract cities under County jurisdiction. Records may include scanned paper permits and entries from County permit databases.

Search by Property

Enter the street address or current 10-digit Assessor Identification Number (AIN), or select the parcel on the map.
Confirm that the selected parcel matches the property.
Review the available permit tabs and documents.
Compare the permit date, work description, and identifiers with the records you need.

When a Record Is Missing

The viewer uses current Assessor parcel and address information and does not provide a complete historical address or AIN lookup. Documents are grouped by parcel rather than solely by street address.

Online scans are not complete for every office or permit. A missing image or search result does not establish that a permit never existed or determine the property's compliance status.

If the viewer does not load or the required record is unavailable, contact the Building and Safety field office serving the property. Additional paper or microfilm information may be available. Use the local-office links in the Permit Center to identify the contact.

Have the address, current AIN, approximate construction date, and any known permit number available when requesting assistance.

Road Closures and Travel

The County road-closure system states that it covers roads maintained by Public Works in unincorporated County areas. It is not a complete countywide list of city-street or state-highway closures.

Check the Affected Segment

Match the road name, community, and beginning and ending locations.
Review whether access is fully closed, limited, or affected by lane restrictions.
Read any exceptions for residents, contractors, or emergency vehicles.
Check the start time, estimated end time, and latest update.
Review planned closures as well as active entries.

Estimated reopening dates can change without notice. An entry marked TBD has no stated reopening date. Recheck close to your travel time and follow posted restrictions.

For roads managed by another authority, use that authority's closure information. During an active emergency, follow official evacuation and public-safety instructions; a road map does not establish permission to enter a restricted area.

Waterworks Account Services

My Waterworks Account Manager (MyWAM) serves Los Angeles County Waterworks Districts customers. It is not a countywide account portal for every water provider.

Confirm Your Provider and Account

Check the provider shown on your water bill. If your account is with a County Waterworks District, have both the account number and customer number available for registration or payment.

Follow the MyWAM registration instructions and keep your contact information current. The system provides options for urgent notifications by text message or email.

Payments and Account Assistance

Waterworks lists 877-637-3661 for assistance. Its 24-hour automated payment system uses option 1 and requires the account and customer numbers.

Confirm the account and payment details, retain the receipt, and contact Waterworks when a payment or account issue needs clarification.

Restoring Water Service

Call 877-637-3661 to discuss restoration requirements. These may include past-due amounts and a restoration charge.

If the meter has a locking device, follow the office's instructions and do not remove or bypass it. Confirm the restoration arrangements rather than assuming that an online payment automatically restores service.

Sewer Services and Maps

The County sanitary sewer network map displays facilities maintained by the Consolidated Sewer Maintenance District. It supports searches using an address, intersection, parcel AIN, or asset identifier.

Use the Map to Identify Relevant Facilities

Review the district boundary and nearby sewer facilities as a starting point for questions about maintenance responsibility or available records. The map includes sewer lines, manholes, pump stations, and other components.

A map display does not confirm an exact private connection, surveyed location, or authorization to excavate. Verify the original records and requirements with the responsible office when planning work.

Report a Sewer Concern

Use the water resources or appropriate service route on the problem-reporting page. For an urgent Public Works concern, call 800-675-4357.

Provide the location, observed overflow or blockage, and any nearby facility identifier visible from a safe place. Responsibility may differ between public facilities and private plumbing, so confirm the appropriate provider.

Trash, Recycling and Disposal

The Solid Waste Information Management System (SWIMS) provides information about collection arrangements, authorized waste haulers, disposal facilities, and related environmental programs.

Find the Collection Provider

Use the service information for your address to identify the responsible collection provider. Residential franchise areas, garbage disposal districts, commercial services, and incorporated-city arrangements may differ.

For a missed collection, billing question, or container request, contact the provider identified for the account or service address. Report illegally dumped material through the County's designated problem-reporting route.

Choose an Appropriate Disposal Facility

Identify the material and approximate quantity.
Check whether it requires a specialized collection or disposal service.
Review authorized haulers or permitted facilities through SWIMS.
Confirm accepted materials, hours, charges, and delivery requirements with the provider before traveling.

Do not assume that a facility accepting ordinary household trash also accepts construction debris, hazardous material, or industrial waste. Check the instructions for the particular material.

Specialized Environmental Information

SWIMS also provides methane-related screening, mitigation standards, and specialized reporting functions. A screening result is a starting point for project review rather than a substitute for the responsible program's determination.

Data submissions and methane project-status functions may require a separate SWIMS account. Follow that program's current instructions rather than using an EPIC-LA or Waterworks login.

Forms, Maps and Project Information

Find the Correct Form

The Public Works forms database can be searched by keyword or category. Check the form title, number, revision, and submission instructions.

Forms may require online submission, printing, signatures, or supporting documents. Similar forms can apply to different project stages, such as a new application, amendment, temporary closure, or permanent closure.

Parcel Maps and Land Records

The parcel map archive organizes maps by parcel map number and book-and-page references. Multi-page maps are listed by their first or cover page, with applicable certificates of correction included when available.

A parcel map book-and-page reference is different from the property's 10-digit AIN. Use the identifier requested by the archive rather than entering a permit number or street address in its place.

Projects and GIS Resources

The infrastructure projects dashboard provides available information about Public Works projects. The GIS and Mapping Resources Hub provides interactive applications, datasets, and maps.

Use these resources for general reference. Verify source records when a decision depends on exact boundaries, ownership, engineering conditions, or surveyed locations.

Public Works Contacts

Contacts and entry points for Public Works assistance
Service	Contact or official entry point	Purpose and availability
Emergency assistance	911	Immediate threats to life or safety requiring emergency response.
Urgent Public Works requests	800-675-4357	Urgent Public Works concerns, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
General Public Works information	626-458-5100 Contact Public Works	Headquarters: 900 South Fremont Avenue, Alhambra, CA 91803. Published hours: Monday–Thursday, 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., excluding County holidays. Individual service counters may have different arrangements.
Routine maintenance or condition report	Report a Problem	Select the appropriate category and retain the service-request confirmation.
Permit requirements and local offices	Permit Center	Identify the permit program and office responsible for the project location and work.
EPIC-LA payment questions or issues	epiclahelp@lacounty.gov EPIC-LA	Portal payment assistance. Use the handling department for project requirements, reviews, or approval questions.
County Waterworks District account or restoration assistance	877-637-3661 MyWAM	Waterworks account assistance and restoration requirements. Automated payments are available 24 hours a day through option 1.
Waste haulers and disposal information	SWIMS	Find collection arrangements, authorized haulers, and disposal resources for the location and material.

Before You Submit

Confirm responsibility: Check the agency or provider serving the location and type of request.
Use the right identifier: AIN, parcel map reference, permit number, invoice number, account number, and customer number serve different purposes.
Select the correct transaction: Reporting a problem, applying for a permit, requesting an inspection, and searching an old record are separate tasks.
Review current instructions: Check application requirements, fees, office arrangements, and portal notices.
Keep confirmations: Save request numbers, submission receipts, payment records, and inspection details.
Check incomplete results: Contact the responsible office when a map, viewer, or online record does not provide the information needed.
Verify travel conditions: Recheck road restrictions close to departure and follow official signs and emergency instructions.

If you find an outdated detail or broken link in this guide, please contact our website editor. Service requests, permit questions, utility matters, and payments should go to the responsible official agency or provider.