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How to report a street light out in NYC
Last updated: 2026-09-04
SidewalkSnitch is an independent civic tool. Not affiliated with the City of New York and not a government 311 service.
NYC DOT must keep city street lighting in working order under NYC Admin Code §19-121. A light that is dark, flickering, damaged, or hanging loose is a reportable defect. Report it on the 311 article Street Light Complaint. Use this page to draft paste-ready text — we prepare the text. You file it on 311. Nothing goes to 311 unless you send it.
Add photo of street light problem
How to file from this page
- Photograph the dark or damaged fixture, then take a second photo showing the pole beside a building number or street sign.
- Tap Add photo of street light problem. We draft paste-ready text.
- Tap Copy, then Open 311. Paste. Submit on the city's site.
- Keep your Service Request Number.
See it. Snap it. Fix it.
We prepare the text. You file it on 311. Nothing goes to 311 unless you send it.
More detail — what to report, safety, pole numbers, photo tips
What street light problems you can report
- Light out. The lamp stays dark after dusk.
- Light on in daylight. The lamp burns through the day, which is a control fault.
- Flickering or cycling. The lamp turns on and off repeatedly.
- Damaged fixture. The head is broken, hanging, or missing its cover.
- Leaning or hit pole. The pole is bent, knocked out of line, or struck by a vehicle.
Stop and call 911 for an electrical hazard
An exposed wire, a sparking fixture, or an open pole base is a live electrical hazard. Do not touch the pole and do not stand at its base. Call 911 and report it to the utility. Do not use this page for that. The 311 street light path is for a lighting defect, not an emergency.
Give the exact pole
One block can hold many poles, so the city needs the exact one. Include as much of this as you can:
- Pole number. Read it from the tag or stamped plate on the pole shaft.
- Nearest address. The building the pole stands in front of.
- Cross streets. The two corners of the block.
- Side of the street. For example, the north side, or the park side.
How to photograph a street light
- Show the pole in its block. A wide photo tells the crew where to go.
- Photograph the tag. A readable pole number is the single most useful detail.
- For a light out, shoot after dark. A photo with the nearby lamps lit and this one dark makes the fault obvious.
- For damage, shoot in daylight. The broken part must be visible.
After you submit
The city gives you a Service Request Number when you submit on portal.311.nyc.gov. Keep it and check the status there. We do not quote a repair time, because the city publishes no single clock for this work. File again if the light is still out after several weeks, and tell your community board when a whole corridor stays dark.
Dark block on your street?
Photograph the pole with its number tag, plus a wide shot showing where it stands.
See it. Snap it. Fix it. We prepare the text. You file it on 311. Nothing goes to 311 unless you send it.
Join the friends & family waitlistPhone number required. F&F access only — not a public neighborhood launch.
Friends & family waitlist — phone number required. Public neighborhood launch is not open yet.
Frequently asked questions
Who fixes a broken street light in NYC?
NYC DOT. Under NYC Admin Code §19-121, DOT must keep city street lighting in working order. A light that is dark, flickering, damaged, or has a hanging fixture is a reportable defect.
Which 311 form do I use?
Use the 311 article "Street Light Complaint" (KA-02463). Give the exact location, say what is wrong with the light, and add the pole number if you can read it.
Where do I find the pole number?
Look for a small tag or stamped plate on the pole, usually between eye level and about ten feet up. The number identifies one exact pole, so it removes any guesswork about which light is out. Report the light without the number if you cannot find one.
What if wires are exposed or the pole base is open?
Do not report that through the normal path and do not touch it. An exposed wire or an open pole base is a live electrical hazard. Call 911, and report it to the utility.
How long does a repair take?
The city does not publish one fixed repair time, and we will not guess a number. Keep your Service Request Number, check its status on the 311 portal, and file again if the light is still out after several weeks.
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