Handyman services in
Elm Grove, WI
Elm Grove homeowners and property managers often need a reliable handyman for repairs, installations, and small home improvement projects. This page also includes official local resources, like permits, trash and recycling info, and village calendars, so you can plan projects without hunting around multiple sites.
View Homeowner Resources Below
Elm Grove Homeowner Resources
Below are the key Elm Grove resources homeowners use most for permits, schedules, seasonal rules, and local updates.
Garbage, recycling, and
yard waste collection
Garbage Collection
Elm Grove contracts with Johns Disposal for weekly trash collection, and the Village uses an up the drive service model. The two biggest causes of missed service are items not being accessible, and items not being set out early enough.
How often and when to set it out
Trash is collected weekly
Have trash set out the night before, or by 6:00 AM on your collection day
Up the drive service, what that means for set out
Place trash where it is visible and easy to access, typically at the end of your driveway
Make sure cans are not blocked by vehicles or other obstacles
Keep the area around your trash clear, the Village notes Johns Disposal is not responsible for items left within 10 feet of your cans that were not meant for disposal
Container limits
Elm Grove’s Johns Disposal service guidance includes these limits for garbage cans:
Cans should be 32 gallons or smaller
Cans should weigh under 50 lbs when full
Cardboard and overflow
The Village notes all cardboard must be broken down to be acceptable
If you have extra cardboard, it should go with recycling rules, not loose next to trash, so it does not get skipped
Holiday delays
Holiday weeks can shift your pickup.
Elm Grove lists specific holidays that can trigger a one day delay when they fall on a weekday
The cleanest way to verify what applies for the current year is the annual Elm Grove collection schedule
Large items and bulky pickup
Bulky items are allowed, but you must call Johns Disposal in advance to schedule pickup and confirm pricing
Elm Grove allows large items at the curb on your collection day, but only after you schedule it ahead of time
Questions or missed pickup
Johns Disposal, 262-473-4700
Recycling Collection
Elm Grove recycling is collected weekly, on the same day as trash, and the Village uses blue recycling bins for curbside service. The biggest reasons recycling gets skipped or rejected are late set out, blocked access, unflattened cardboard, and contamination.
How often and when to set it out
Recycling is collected weekly
Have recycling out the night before, or by 6:00 AM on your collection day
Set out rules, avoid missed service
Keep recycling visible and easy to access, typically at the end of the driveway
Do not let bins get “parked in” by vehicles, if the truck cannot access them, they can be skipped
Flatten all boxes so bins do not overflow and materials do not blow around
Extra recyclables, what to do when the bin is full
Elm Grove allows extra recyclables in additional blue bins
Additional recycling cans are available, if you routinely have overflow, it is worth getting an extra bin so you are not forcing cardboard into the trash
Accepted recycling, common items
Based on Elm Grove and Johns Disposal guidance, common accepted items include:
Aluminum cans, clean aluminum foil
Tin, steel, and aerosol cans
Glass bottles and jars
Plastics #1, #2, and #5
Milk cartons and juice boxes
Loose newspaper and mail
Magazines and books
Flattened cardboard
Cereal and shoe boxes
Brown paper bags
Shredded paper, in a clear bag only
Keep these OUT of recycling
These items are specifically called out as not accepted and they also commonly cause contamination issues:
Plastic bags
Styrofoam
Electronics
Yard waste
Clothing
Hazardous waste
Construction items
Sharps and inhalers
Garbage
Yard Waste and Seasonal Pickups
Elm Grove handles yard waste through a mix of the Village Recycle Center, scheduled neighborhood brush pickup dates, and a seasonal leaf bag pickup option. The key is following set out rules, because brush piles that are placed too early, too late, or incorrectly stacked can be skipped.
Village Recycle Center, best option for ongoing yard waste
Location, 900 Wall Street
Resident access only, proof of residency is required
Accepted yard materials, brush, grass clippings, leaves only
Contractors and contractor vehicles are not allowed to use the facility
Hazardous waste is not permitted at the Recycle Center
Recycle Center hours, seasonal schedule
January and February, closed
March, Saturdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
April through October 14, Tuesdays and Thursdays 3:30 PM to 7:00 PM, Saturdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
October 15 through November 30, Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Saturdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Sundays 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
December, Saturdays 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Holiday closures can vary by year, confirm on the Recycle Center page before you go
Brush pickup, scheduled neighborhood pickups
Elm Grove crews pick up brush on a scheduled basis three times per year. The Village posts the pickup schedule and an interactive neighborhood map so you can confirm your dates.
Brush pickup set out rules, what gets skipped most often
Timing matters, do not pile brush at roadside earlier than the weekend before your scheduled pickup, and no later than Sunday night before your pickup week
Placement, pile at the roadside in front of your residence, not in boulevard areas
Size and stacking, lengths must be 6 feet or less, not one continuous pile
Orientation, pile parallel with the road, with all cut ends pointing in one direction
Separate logs from brush, and keep logs 3 feet or less
Do not put brush on tarps, in cans, or in bags
Do not mix brush piles with trash or yard waste like grass clippings, garden waste, leaves, paper, plastic, weeds, or trimmings
Avoid placing piles next to objects like poles, trees, fences, mailboxes, rocks, or under wires or branches, these placements can prevent pickup
If brush is set out after your last scheduled pickup date, the Village notes a $60 per load charge for pickup
Special Brush Pick Up, paid pickup outside the scheduled dates
If you miss the scheduled brush windows, Elm Grove offers a Special Brush Pick Up option.
Available outside the three scheduled neighborhood pickup dates, Monday through Thursday, all year
Fee is $60, it covers one truckload of brush and cut logs, approximately 10 to 12 cubic yards
A 24 hour notice is required, scheduling depends on Public Works availability
Items placed after the initial pickup, or loads above one truckload, may require another request and fee
Leaf disposal, two official options
Option 1, take leaves to the Recycle Center
Leaves can be dropped off at the Recycle Center, but you must empty the bags on site
Contractors are not allowed to use the facility
Option 2, leaf pickup in paper biodegradable bags
Elm Grove offers a sticker based leaf bag pickup program.
Purchase approved Johns Disposal leaf stickers at Village Hall or the Police Department
Cost is $1.00 per sticker, sold in packs of five
Use biodegradable paper leaf bags that you purchase from a hardware or home store
Bags must be placed at the street end of your driveway before 7:00 AM on trash pickup day
Leaf bags are collected September through November
Only biodegradable bags with approved stickers will be collected
Permits and Home
Improvement Guidelines
Elm Grove permits and approvals are handled through the Village’s Zoning and Planning department, with building permitting and inspections supported through SAFEbuilt. If your project changes the exterior of your home, adds a structure, or involves work in the public right of way, it is worth checking requirements early so you do not lose time to rework or delays.
Start here, building permits and how to apply
Elm Grove uses an online permitting system called Community Core for building permit applications, plan review, and fee payment
The Village encourages electronic submission for faster processing
Common permit categories listed by the Village include building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and miscellaneous permits
Inspections, scheduling rules that affect timelines
Elm Grove requires rough and final inspections for permitted work
Inspections must be scheduled by 4:00 PM for a next business day inspection
Have your permit number ready when scheduling
Inspection scheduling is handled through SAFEbuilt, the inspection line and email are listed on the Village Building Permits page
Building Board review, very important for exterior projects
Most exterior alteration or construction work requires Building Board review before you can submit a permit online.
Projects called out by the Village for Building Board review include exterior alterations, additions, accessory structures (sheds, pergolas, gazebos), pools, decks, retaining walls, business signage, sport courts, and new home construction
Building Board review must happen before you submit the permit online, if you submit online first, the Village notes the application will be denied and you will be referred back to Zoning and Planning
Plan ahead, Elm Grove notes that materials must typically be submitted 2 to 4 weeks in advance to get on an agenda
Building Board meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM
Driveways, public right of way, and Public Works permits
If your project affects the driveway, sidewalk area, street, ditch, or public right of way, Elm Grove routes permits through Public Works.
A driveway permit is required for installation or improvement of a driveway, except seal coating, and Elm Grove notes there is no charge for the driveway permit
The driveway permit is submitted to the Director of Public Works for approval, then forwarded to the Zoning Administrator for processing, it must be approved and on file before work begins
Any excavation or work that disturbs a public street or right of way requires a Public Way Disturbance permit, and the Village notes fees can include a base fee, restoration fee, and bond or deposit
Work on a sewer lateral requires a permit, and the Village notes additional requirements can apply when a building is razed or remodeled in a way that disturbs an existing lateral
Zoning permits that can apply to homeowners
Demolition of a building requires a demolition permit in Elm Grove
Certain projects may require zoning approvals such as special exceptions, variances, or conditional use approvals depending on the situation and location
Seasonal Services
and City Notices
Elm Grove seasonal rules and local notices can impact street access, parking, pickup timing, and outdoor project scheduling. These are the official places to check first, especially during winter storms, road work, or holiday service changes.
Snow and ice removal, what homeowners should plan around
Elm Grove runs snow and ice operations during winter weather, which can affect curb access, driveway entry, and street parking
If you are scheduling service during snow season, plan for tighter access and occasional timing adjustments based on plowing conditions
Snow emergency, parking restrictions
During a declared snow emergency, Elm Grove states there is no parking on Village streets
The Village notes it will notify the media when a snow emergency is in effect
If you rely on street parking, check snow emergency status before the appointment window to avoid towing or last minute access issues
Road closings, detours, and temporary disruptions
The Village uses the Alert Center to post official updates like road closings and detours
This is the fastest check when you see cones, temporary signage, or unexpected traffic flow changes near your neighborhood
Recreation cancellations and facility closures
Elm Grove also uses the Alert Center for recreation cancellations
This is useful when you are planning around park activity, community programming, or high traffic weekends
Holiday and seasonal notices
Village News posts seasonal service updates and time sensitive reminders
Example, Elm Grove’s Christmas tree recycling reminder is posted as a seasonal notice, including what is accepted, when pickup happens, and what causes trees to be skipped
Christmas tree recycling, quick rules that prevent missed pickup
Natural trees are picked up by Public Works starting the first Monday in January through the third Monday in January, weather permitting
Trees should be placed curbside and not buried after a snowfall
Trees in plastic bags, and trees with lights, wire, or decorations, are not accepted
After pickup is complete, the Village states Public Works will not return for another tree pickup, the next disposal option is during Recycle Center hours when they resume on Saturdays in March
Community and
Local Information
Elm Grove has a strong calendar and notification system through its official CivicEngage site. This block helps residents quickly check events, meetings, closures, and schedules that can impact parking, street access, and project timing.
Village calendar, events, and closures
The Village calendar lets you switch views (list, week, month) and filter by calendar type, like Community Events, Recreation, Library, Fire Department, and Village Calendar
Use the keyword search and date range filters when you are trying to confirm a specific event, meeting, or closure window
If you are scheduling work near Village Hall, the library, or Village Park, scan the calendar first to avoid conflicts with high traffic times
Subscribe to calendar events, so you do not have to keep checking the site
Elm Grove supports iCalendar, meaning you can add individual events to your calendar, or subscribe so your calendar updates automatically as new events are posted
This is useful for homeowners who want meeting reminders, seasonal events, and community dates to show up directly inside their phone or computer calendar
Public meetings, agendas, and local decisions
The Agenda Center is where Elm Grove posts agendas before meetings, then minutes after meetings
If you are tracking a topic that affects your property or neighborhood, this is the best place to monitor what is scheduled and what was decided
You can also pair this with Notify Me so you get alerts when new agendas or updates are posted
Notify Me, the fastest way to stay informed
Notify Me is the Village’s official subscription hub for updates, it includes categories like Calendar, Agenda Center, Alert Center, and News Flash
This is the best option if you want Elm Grove notices pushed to you automatically instead of checking manually
Library events and community programs
The Elm Grove Public Library maintains a dedicated events calendar for programs, workshops, and seasonal activities
Library calendars are also one of the most reliable sources for closures and schedule changes around holidays
Recreation programs and special events
Elm Grove Recreation posts programs, parks related updates, and special events throughout the year
If you are planning work near Village Park, the pool, courts, or event areas, recreation updates help you avoid peak times