The Economic Development Department has compiled frequently requested services often used by businesses and nonprofits serving business districts throughout the city. If you have any questions navigating the below services, please contact us at sdbusiness@sandiego.gov or (619) 236-6700 for assistance.
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Get It Done can be used to report a variety of non-emergency problems related to City assets. It can also be used to track the status of public reports citywide. Some of its most utilized services include: parking issues, illegal dumping, and graffiti. As always, if you are reporting an emergency, please dial 9-1-1.
The County of San Diego Behavioral Health Services department launched the Mobile Crisis Response Team. This is a new program designed to help people experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. For assistance, call the Access & Crisis Line (888) 724-7240. See below for additional resources including support from the San Diego Police Department.
The Street Division provides many services to maintain the public right-of-way, including graffiti abatement. Existing graffiti can be reported to the Graffiti Hotline at 619-527-7500.
Street Sweeping keeps our streets free from trash and debris while helping to keep waterways clean. The City maintains a regular schedule for street sweeping by Council District. An interactive map that includes the street sweeping routes and schedules can be found here. Business managers and residents can make Street Sweeping requests through the Get It Done App. Requests can also be made by calling the Sweeping Hotline at (619) 527-3482 or by email at swppp@sandiego.gov.
The City provides maintenance services for trees related to public safety issues and to keep the right-of-way clear. The Street Division maintains a schedule for regular tree maintenance across the city and also has specific criteria for evaluating requests.
In the event of an emergency call 911. The Urban Forestry Emergency Tree Services can provide assistance. All other tree maintenance requests should be submitted through the Get it Done App.
The Environmental Services Department (ESD) collects refuse from City containers in commercial districts on varying schedules. ESD strives to address any overflowing container within 24-hours. Overflowing container reports can be made by contacting Environmental Services at (858) 694-7000 or trash@sandiego.gov.
The Safety Resource Toolkit for Small Businesses was developed by the Small Business Advisory Board and City staff. These resources can equip businesses to help keep their employees and customers safe and offer guidance on how one can approach quality-of-life issues related to the current homelessness crisis. Having a copy accessible, near a cashier or front desk, is highly recommended. 
Click here to download a copy of the Safety Resource Toolkit for Small Businesses.
How to Help an Individual Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis
If you witness an individual in need of mental health services, you can contact the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) for licensed mental health clinicians, case managers, and peer support specialists who can respond to behavioral health crisis calls that do not involve known threats of violence or medical emergencies. Call (888) 724-7240.
For potentially dangerous situations in which an individual poses an immediate threat to themselves or others, you are encouraged to contact 9-1-1. They have the capability of dispatching the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). This program consists of licensed behavioral health clinicians, law enforcement officers, and paramedics.
Get It Done
The Get It Done App can be used for non-emergency reports only. For EMERGENCIES DIAL 9-1-1. For other Police-related non-emergency issues, call (619) 531-2000. Use this to report to submit a service request for Homeless Outreach or to report an Encampment. Reports are forwarded to Homeless Outreach Specialists, the Environmental Services Department and/or the Neighborhood Policing Division as appropriate. Please allow time for outreach and associated activities to occur. Business managers should avoid confrontation and keep a safe distance if they feel threatened in any way. If a business manager feels threatened or the individual becomes disruptive, call 911.
Resources for People Experiencing Homelessness
The Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department provides resources and information on services for people experiencing homelessness.
PATH San Diego has partnered with the City of San Diego to provide services to people experiencing homelessness in San Diego. PATH provides supportive services that include housing navigation, outreach, and employment services. They can be contacted by business managers or directly by people experiencing homelessness by phone at (619) 810-8600 or email at path@epath.org.
Business managers can suggest people experiencing homelessness to call 2-1-1 for resources and emergency support. 211 San Diego is a local nonprofit that provides assistance 24 hours a day, 365 days a year by connecting people to community, health, and disaster resources.
Letter of Agency (Trespass Arrest Authorization)
A Letter of Agency (Trespass Arrest Authorization) allows the San Diego Police Department to enforce against anyone found on a property without the owner's consent or without lawful purpose. Recommended for vacant properties, vacant lots, businesses or any properties upon which public nuisance activity or crimes, including littering, defecating, drinking, drug activity, prostitution, graffiti or general trespass are occurring. Apply here for a Letter of Agency.
Signs, Sidewalks, or Other Structures
Business managers can make a number of street or transportation-related requests through the Get It Done App and the Transportation Department webpage. These include issues with signs or structures in need of repairs such as an existing sidewalk or guardrail.
Curb Color
Businesses can also request to change the color of the curbs in front of their storefronts to improve access for loading or to increase parking turnover. This is a common list of curb colors allowed by the City. If a business falls within a Community Parking District, the business owner should reach out to the nonprofit entity managing the district. These districts include Downtown*, Mid-City, Pacific Beach, University Heights, and Uptown. If your business does not fall within a Community Parking District, you can email Traffic Engineer Operations at TrafficOps@sandiego.gov.
The Street Division can be contacted directly at (619) 527-7500 or Street_Service@sandiego.gov.
*For businesses in the Downtown Community Parking District, contact City staff in the Sustainability & Mobility Department.
Bike Rack Installation
The City of San Diego Bike Program installs bike racks in the public right-of-way for businesses to encourage bicycling to daily activities such as shopping, riding to school and commuting. Business owners can request the installation of a bike rack in front of their business by completing a request form or by contacting their Business Improvement District to request a bike corral.
Commercial Food Scraps Composting
Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance
Earned Sick Leave and Minimum Wage Ordinance passed by Council in 2016.Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKOs)
Police Regulated Business Activities
San Diego Single Use Plastic Reduction Ordinance
Small Local Business Enterprise (SLBE) Program
The following organizations promote and support small businesses and business districts of all sizes. These organizations provide a variety of services to help entrepreneurs at any stage. They may also publicize cultural, educational, social, and geographical opportunities that serve specific business needs. Many of these organizations have partnered with or been funded by the Economic Development Department to advance economic inclusion across San Diego neighborhoods and commercial districts. This is not intended to be a comprehensive list of organizations. Additional organizations can be found on the Other Resources page on the Economic Development Department website. Please note that these are independent nonprofit organizations and not official representatives of the City.
Asian Business Association of San Diego County (ABASD)
City Heights Community Development Corporation (CDC)
CONNECT ALL @ The Jacobs Center
County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce
County of San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
International Rescue Committee San Diego
Logan Heights Community Development Corporation CDC
Promise Zone Economic Activity Working Group
San Diego Equality Business Association
San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) of Imperial and San Diego Counties
Women's Business Center San Diego & Imperial
Questions? Reach out to us at sdbusiness@sandiego.gov.
