Dirty yards and alleys are the No. 1 reason people contact Windsor's 311

The No. 1 reason people contacted Windsor's 311 this year: dirty yards and alleys. 6,160 of 29,612 requests, about one in five, City of Windsor 311 data shows (Jan. 1 to Aug. 23). Next: trees 4,147, 3-day parking 1,614, potholes 1,471.

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Messy yards and alleys are the top reason people contacted Windsor's 311 line this year, according to City of Windsor 311 data.

The numbers

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 23, 2026, the City logged 29,612 service requests through 311. "Dirty Yard / Alley" was the biggest single category, with 6,160 requests, about one in five.

The rest of the top five were tree maintenance (4,147), 3-day parking complaints (1,614), potholes (1,471) and parks maintenance (1,434). Building condition complaints came to 956.

Dirty yard and alley requests were concentrated in three wards: Ward 2 (1,492), Ward 4 (1,079) and Ward 3 (986). Ward 8 had the fewest, 226.

Building condition complaints followed a similar pattern. Ward 3 had 227, Ward 2 had 181 and Ward 4 had 162.

Most requests came in by phone (59%). The Windsor 311 app accounted for 26%.

Keep in mind

A 311 request is a complaint someone filed, not a finding that a by-law was broken. The City's data notes that one problem can draw several requests, and that some requests turn out to be invalid once staff look into them. The data does not show how each request was resolved. The newest 311 data the City has posted runs to Aug. 23.

The City's By-law Enforcement department did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.

What it means for you

Yard, alley and building complaints go to the City's By-law Enforcement department. You can file one by calling 311. The City's Property Standards By-law 148-2025 sets minimum upkeep rules for buildings and properties, including exterior property areas, fences, roofs and stairs.

The City says vacant buildings or properties that pose a risk of fire, accident or other hazards should be reported right away by calling 311.