Departments and Agencies » Department of Public Works

Department of Public Works

 Location
 Administration
Ron Brundidge, Director
Jose Abraham, Deputy Director

Mission Statement:  The mission of the Department of Public Works is to provide excellence in the delivery of essential environmental and infrastructure services, thereby ensuring a safe and clean environment for our customers in a cost-efficient manner.

The Department of Public Works is responsible for the collection and disposal of refuse and bulk waste, paving and maintaining and removing snow and ice from streets, installation and maintenance of traffic signals and signs, pavement markings on city streets and providing engineering and inspection services for all road construction work performed in the City's right-of-way.
 DPW Announcements
Detroit Department of Public Works to Begin Twice Monthly Collection of Yard Waste April 15 -
03/28/2013 - Beginning the week of April 15, the City of Detroit Department of Public Works (DPW) will implement a new schedule and begin collecting yard waste twice a month.   For residents on the east side and in southwest Detroit, DPW crews will collect yard waste during the 1st and 3rd weeks of the month. Residents on the west side will have yard waste collection on the 2nd and 4th weeks of the month. The collection will occur from mid-April through the first week in December.

Residents can place grass clippings, leaves, and small twigs in biodegradable paper bags or personal containers on the same day their weekly refuse is collected. DPW will not collect yard waste in plastic bags.  Branches, up to 4 feet in length and less than 2 inches in diameter, should be bundled and tied.

Residents are encouraged to mulch when cutting grass, which adds nitrogen to the soil and can reduce fertilizer use by as much as 30%. Citizens also may also take yard waste to any of the five conveniently located DPW drop-off sites. View the Yard Waste Map 
Detroit Recycles

Contact Us

If you are trying to reach the Department of Public Works, please call 224-3901; If you have specific concerns regarding the collection of garbage, bulk, yard waste or recyclables, please call 224-3901 or 876-0004;  if you are requesting street or alley repairs, please call 224-0033; if you are inquiring about the replacement of sidewalk, please call 224-3954; if you have a concern regarding a traffic sign or traffic signal, please call 224-1610; if you have a complaint of illegal dumping or a need for rodent baiting, please contact Environmental Enforcement at 876-0974.

New Valet Parking Ordinance

The City of Detroit has adopted a new ordinance that outlines the requirements for businesses operating valet parking operations in the city of Detroit. For more information on the process, click here.

Weight Restrictions

In accordance with ordinance Sec. 55-8-24, the Director of the Department of Public Works suspends the Frost Law restrictions imposed on all City jurisdiction roads, as of 8 a.m. on Saturday, April 13, 2013.


Mayor Dave Bing

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