Report Street Light Outage - Charlotte Municipal Service

Utilities and Infrastructure North Carolina 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 06, 2026 Flag of North Carolina

In Charlotte, North Carolina, reporting a street light outage or requesting repair begins with the citys traffic and public works referrals or directly with the utility that owns the fixture. This guide explains the municipal reporting paths, who enforces repairs, expected response steps, and how to escalate persistent outages in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Reporting street light outages

To report a non-emergency street light outage, residents may use the Citys dedicated streetlight information pages or the 311 service request portal to submit location details, pole number, and photos so the city can triage ownership and forward repairs as needed. See the City streetlight program page City streetlight program[1] and the CLT311 portal CLT311 report portal[2]. Many street lights in Charlotte are owned and repaired by the local electric utility; you can also report directly to the utility Duke Energy outage reporting[3].

Gather the pole number or nearest address before you file the report.

Penalties & Enforcement

Street light outages and repairs are service matters rather than typical bylaw violations; therefore, municipal code sections that impose fines for lighting outages are not published on the city pages cited below. Specific monetary fines for street light outages are not specified on the cited pages.[1]

  • Enforcer: City of Charlotte Department of Transportation coordinates public lighting issues and refers utility-owned fixtures to the utility. See the city program page for contact pathways.[1]
  • Complaint pathway: File a service request via CLT311 (online or phone) with location, pole ID, and description.[2]
  • Utility repairs: For utility-owned lights, the electric provider schedules and performs repairs; report directly to the utilitys outage/reporting page.[3]
Municipal pages do not list fines or escalation penalties for unpaid repairs or outages.

Applications & Forms

No separate permit or application is required for a standard street light outage report; residents submit a service request through CLT311 or the utility's outage reporting form. If a formal lighting installation or new service is requested (new pole or new municipal fixture), the city may require an application for infrastructure work; check the city programs page for published application requirements.[1]

Typical response process

  • Initial triage: City or utility confirms ownership and logs the request.
  • Scheduling: Utility schedules field crews; timeline varies by severity and crew availability.
  • Repair: Field crew repairs or replaces fixture, photocell, or wiring as needed.
  • Follow-up: Service request may be closed after verification; requestor can reopen if unresolved.
If a pole is damaged or poses immediate danger, call emergency services in addition to filing a service request.

Common violations and typical outcomes

  • Outage due to burned-out lamp: utility repair; no fine specified.
  • Damaged pole from vehicle collision: repairs coordinated with utility and may involve insurance; fines or citations for the driver follow traffic enforcement, not streetlight code.
  • Unauthorized alterations to municipal fixtures: enforcement actions or orders may be taken; specific penalties are not specified on the cited pages.

FAQ

Who fixes street lights in Charlotte?
Either the City of Charlotte or the electric utility (commonly Duke Energy) fixes street lights depending on ownership; the city will identify and refer utility-owned fixtures after you file a service request.
How do I report a street light outage?
File a CLT311 service request online or by phone with the pole number or nearest address, or report directly to the utility's outage reporting page for utility-owned lights.
Are there fees or fines for reporting an outage?
No fees for reporting are listed; monetary fines for outages are not specified on the cited city pages.

How-To

  1. Locate the pole number or nearest address and take a photo if safe.
  2. Submit a CLT311 report online or by phone with the details and attach a photo if possible.[2]
  3. If you know the light is owned by the electric utility, report it directly through the utilitys outage page.[3]
  4. If repairs are delayed, request escalation through the city contact on the service request or ask for a supervisor review.

Key Takeaways

  • Report outages via CLT311 so the city can identify ownership and coordinate repairs.
  • Utility-owned lights should also be reported directly to the utility to speed repair scheduling.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Charlotte - Streetlights program
  2. [2] CLT311 service request portal
  3. [3] Duke Energy - Report an outage

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