Keeping the sidewalk in front of your house clean is not just the neighborly thing to do: it's actually the law. The City's Police Code states that occupants of San Francisco buildings are accountable for the cleanliness of their sidewalks. In the case of multiple-unit dwellings, this refers to the tenants of the lower flat.

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is the agency in charge of enforcing this law and issuing citations to violators. If you are found in violation of the code, a DPW officer will likely give you a warning first, as well as an explanation of your responsibilities. However, he or she can simply ticket and fine you directly, so make sure to keep your sidewalk as clean as possible by putting garbage out only during designated times on collection days and sweeping up any debris as soon as possible.

To report trash on sidewalks, call the DPW's Customer Service Center at 311. The agency will send someone out to investigate the situation promptly. Remember, you can always remain anonymous when calling in a complaint.