Report a Pothole in Sacramento - Public Works

Transportation California 3 Minutes Read · published February 08, 2026 Flag of California

Sacramento, California drivers and property managers can report potholes to the City of Sacramento Public Works to request repair and hazard mitigation. This guide explains how to submit a service request, what information to include, who enforces street maintenance, expected timelines, and what to do if a pothole creates urgent danger.

Penalties & Enforcement

The City of Sacramento Public Works is responsible for repairing potholes on city streets and for coordinating immediate hazard responses. The official reporting and service request pathway is the city Public Works pothole page. Report a pothole[1] For general non-emergency requests you can also contact Sacramento 311. 311[2]

The official pages consulted do not list monetary fines or civil penalties specifically tied to reporting or to individual potholes; details on fines or owner obligations are not specified on the cited pages.

  • Enforcer: City of Sacramento Public Works – Transportation/Road Repairs division; contact via the report page or 311. Public Works main page
  • Fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Appeals/review: not specified on the cited page; public records or council actions would be the formal route for disputes.
  • Inspection: Public Works inspects reported hazards and schedules repairs based on severity and available crews.
Emergency hazards should be reported immediately by phone if they pose an immediate danger to traffic.

Applications & Forms

No standalone paper form is published for pothole reporting; use the online report portal or 311 as the official submission methods noted by the city. Report a pothole[1]

  • Form: none required; submit an online service request or call 311.
  • Submission: online portal or phone 311 for non-emergencies; emergency conditions should use local emergency number.

How-To

  1. Call Sacramento 311 or open the city online pothole report page to start a service request. 311[2]
  2. Provide the exact location: street address or nearest intersection and lane if known.
  3. Attach photos showing the pothole size and any hazard to vehicles or pedestrians; include a photo with a common object for scale if possible.
  4. Describe the hazard: depth, whether a vehicle is damaged or a crash risk, and whether traffic control is needed.
  5. Ask for a follow-up or reference number and note the promised timeline if provided in the confirmation.
Take clear, well-lit photos from at least two angles to help triage and prioritize repair.

FAQ

Who fixes potholes in Sacramento?
The City of Sacramento Public Works Department is responsible for city street repairs; report potholes via the city report page or 311.
How long does a pothole repair take?
Repair time varies by severity and workload; the city pages do not publish a guaranteed timeline and response times are not specified on the cited pages.
Can I be reimbursed for vehicle damage?
Claims for vehicle damage are handled as claims against the city; specific claim procedures and deadlines are governed by city claims policy and are not detailed on the pothole report page.
Is there a fee to report a pothole?
No fee is required to submit a pothole report via the online portal or 311.

Key Takeaways

  • Report potholes through the official Public Works portal or 311 for fastest triage.
  • Include exact location and photos to help prioritize repairs.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Sacramento - Report a pothole
  2. [2] City of Sacramento - 311 service

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