Neighborhood Resources

All services from the City of Boston are accessed through Boston 311 Constituent Services Center. The Boston 311 Constituent Services Center is open everyday 24/7.

Residents can contact the 311 by phone, email, or download the smartphone app.

Tips for Contacting Boston 311

When contacting the 311 Constituent Service Center always include the following information in your request:

• Your First and Last Name
• Your Email Address
• Your Phone Number
• Street Address or Intersection for your Request
• Description of your request. Provide as much detail as possible.
• Your desired resolution to your request.
• Photo of the issue (if you have one)*

*Photos help ensure the City of Boston addresses your specific concern.

Remember that 311 is only for non-emergency requests. If you are in an emergency, call 911.

Remember the Ticket Number for your Request

When calling 311 on the phone remember to ask for a ticket number, so you can track your request.

Want to make an anonymous report?

If you wish to remain anonymous, it is best to call 311 by phone.

Eagle Hill Civic Association (EHCA) and Eastie Clean & Green offer FREE, 65-gallon trash barrels to residential neighbors who need them.

Fill out and submit the form to request your FREE barrels. We will contact you to schedule delivery of your trash barrels.

Whenever you see a rat in Boston take photo and report it to Boston 311. Boston Pest Management will respond.

The City of Boston’s Department of Inspectional Services Pest Management Office handles all rodent sitings and complaints reported to 311.

The Pest Management Office will respond according to whether your rodent siting is on public or private property.

Always include a photo of the rodent or pest problem with your 311 ticket whenever possible. This helps the Pest Management Office ensure they are addressing your specific concern.

Rats on Private Property

What to do if you see a rat at your house, backyard, alleyway, office, or retail location?

If you see rodents on your property, contact 311 to request assistance from the Pest Management Office. A Health Inspector will come to your property and provide recommendations and assistance to address the infestation.

Note that if the infestation is on private property, it is the property owner’s responsibility to eradicate the rodents.

A Special Note for Renters: Rodent-Free Housing is Your Legal Right!

Renters have the legal right to clean, safe, and healthy housing in Boston. That includes housing free of rodents, rats, and other pests. It is the landlord’s responsibility to address all rodent and pest concerns when reported by the tenant.

If your landlord fails to effectively address the rodent or pest problem at your rental property, you should report him to the Department of Inspectional Services through Boston 311. It is illegal for a landlords to retaliate against tenants for contacting Boston 311. The Pest Management Office will contact the landlord and require him to eradicate the rodents. If necessary, the Pest Management Office will take legal action against negligent landlords. Clean, safe, and healthy housing is your right as a renter in Boston!

Rats on Public Property

What to do if you see a rat on a street, sidewalk, park, playground, or school?

If the infestation is on public property (street, sidewalk, park, playground, school), the Health Inspector will order pest control to address and eradicate the infestation. Rat infestations on public property are the City of Boston’s responsibility to address. Remember to include a photo with your 311 ticket if possible.

Additional City of Boston Pest Management Resources

The City of Boston has multiple resources for preventing and mitigating rodents:

The City of Boston requires an appointment for the collection of all mattresses and box springs. You must schedule an appointment for curbside pick-up.

You must schedule your mattress pickup on Boston.gov or by calling 311.

Households will be ticketed and fined for leaving mattresses on the sidewalk without a pickup appointment.

The City of Boston does not collect mattresses or box springs with your curbside trash.

Help keep our neighborhood clean by reporting litter on public property (streets, sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, schools) to the 311 for clean up.

The Department of Public Works will send a crew to clean up the litter. Remember to include a photo with your 311 ticket if possible.

Always include in your 311 ticket if there is broken glass, sharp objects (needle, nails, metal), or other dangerous items on the street. The Department of Public works responds quicker to those kind of hazards.

Eastie Clean & Green partners with Tree Eastie to plant more trees across East Boston, educate residents on the benefits of trees, and ensure the proper maintenance and care of new and existing trees. Click here learn more about Tree Eastie.

Get a Tree on your Street

Did you know that any Boston resident can get a free street tree planted in front of their home or business by the City? Simply click on the button below if you’d like one and Tree Eastie will submit the request for you!

Get a Tree for your Yard

Want a tree in your backyard or front yard? With just a simple click of the button below, Tree Eastie will provide the service of sourcing a tree and delivering it straight to your doorstep! Don’t worry, we’ll also provide you with planting instructions so it will grow and stay healthy for a long time. We follow the approach of “right tree in the right place”, so we will help you determine the correct species.