Make a Complaint / Report a Problem

We encourage you to report unsanitary or dangerous conditions or activities that may be of public health concern. Scroll down to the Complaint Types for the list of complaints that we accept.

1. Before you begin, please check our FAQ page for common complaints.

2. To report a complaint or a problem, you may:

• Call our main number: 415 252-3800 or the  number listed next to the complaint type. If you report a problem over the phone, the receptionist should give you a COMPLAINT ID, which is the number for you to reference if you wish to check on the progress or
• Print a complaint fax form and fax it to our main fax#: (415) 252-3875.

Please include as much detailed information as possible in order to assist us in resolving the reported complaint in a timely manner.

• Address and/or Name of the place where the incident (problem) occurred. (for nonspecific location or unknown address, provide a detailed description of the location. For example for a corner or abandoned lot please provide surrounding descriptions, cross streets, nearest building address, distinguishing characteristics, etc...)
• Date of the occurrence
• Description of the incident (problem)
• If you know whom we should contact to resolve the problem (i.e. building manager, owner, etc)
• How we may contact you - we do accept anonymous reports, but for faster resolution we encourage you to include your contact information. This is intended for EHS use only, and will not be given out to any outside parties.

Complaint Types:

Food Safety Issues (any place that serves food), call 415-252-3800

• food poisoning go to Communicable Disease Control and Prevention Disease Reporting Page or call them at 415-554-2830.
• improper food handling
• no adequate facilities (no bathroom, lack of hot water)
• rodents or insects
• no record of health certificate
• noise in the unincorporated area, rooftop air conditioning, restaurant ventilation systems, motors and compressors (for other noise issues click here)
• sewer discharge  at restaurants AND private property (see below for other sewage problems on the streets)

Garbage Issues

On private property - call 415-252-3805

• unsanitary  living conditions including hoarding
• Pay garbage bill or set up garbage service - contact Sunset Scavenger
• No garbage service/ refuses to get garbage service, call 252-3886

Property owners are responsible for maintaining their property.  (San Francisco Health Code)

Tenants are responsible for routine housekeeping. (San Francisco Health Code)

Garbage Dumped On the Streets:

• Environmental Health takes care of the trash that is on PRIVATE property (this includes the sidewalk in front of your property), or in the apartment. Department of Public Works (DPW) complaints page,  takes care of street waste. Their site also provides information for free garbage pick up and handles many garbage complaints.  415-695-2017 or during evenings or weekends at 415-695-2020
• what to do if you see someone dumping garbage

Garbage delinquent bill/lien against property: 415-252-3872

• Under San Francisco Health Code, article 6, DPH must continue paying a defaulted garbage bill. Therefore, when you call the garbage company and pay your bill your are told that your bill is up to date. This is because we paid it while it was delinquent. So you still owe us for that period plus $50.00 administrative fee.

Set up a garbage service or pay garbage bill.

• Contact Sunset Scavenger

Garbage cans on the street or sidewalk

• Contact Department of Public Works,

Other complaints

Abandoned chemicals such as: motor oil, used paints, cleaning solvents, car batteries, asbestos pipes, needles found on the streets (NOT needles in your home) - call 415 252-3969

Air quality or asbestos in construction - call 415 771-6000 or go to Bay Area Air Quality

Animal waste - call 415 252-3805

Body art establishments (tattoos & permanent cosmetics) and massage establishments: dirty or unsafe facilities, no permit.

Inoperative vehicles on private property (vehicles not visible from the public street, are not required to be removed by the owner) - call 415 252-3805

Insect infestations - call 415 252-3805

Lead hazard that effect children - call CEHP @ 415-252-3888 or send fax to 415-252-3889

Lead hazards to to work in progress - call DBI Lead abatement program @ 415-558-6635

Mold and mildew indoors (we do NOT perform testing.) call 252-3805

Mosquitoes, including stagnant water causing mosquito breeding - call 415 252-3806

Needles - click here for a brochure with contacts to proper agencies (pdf)

Neglected and overgrown vegetation -  call 415 252-3805

Pesticide or unknown substance spill - call 252-3830

Poor housing or homeless hotel conditions including: electrical problems, dirty rooms, inadequate heating, insect or rodent infestation, leaking roof, faulty plumbing

Rodents: rats, mice - call 415 252-3805

Retail nurseries complaints for pest cleanliness - call 252-3830

Retail nurseries using  improper labeling - call 252-3830

Sewage problems  or water emergency on public property.

Selling tobacco without a permit (selling to underage kids - Police Dept)

Smoking - call @ 415 581-2448

Swimming pools and spas complaints - click on the link to fill a form or call 252-3945

Too many pets ( San Francisco residents may keep and feed no more than 3 mature dogs or no more than a mix of 4 mature animals which may include dogs, cats, chickens, rabbits, etc.) -  call 415 252-3805

Complaints Below Must be Filed with Weights and Measures Program: 415 252-3884 - Complaint Form specifically for Weights and Measures (PDF).

• gasoline contamination
• inaccurate scales (gas station, store)
• inaccurate gasoline pumps or dispensers
•  taximeters
• electric meters