Handyman Services
in Germantown, WI
Elmbrook Handyman serves homeowners and property managers in Germantown with dependable home repair, maintenance, and improvement work that helps keep properties safe, functional, and looking their best. Whether you are working through a punch list, preparing a rental for move in, addressing small repairs that keep stacking up, or planning a larger update, our goal is to make the process straightforward with clear communication and quality workmanship. This page also includes a local homeowner resource hub so Germantown residents can quickly reference permits, collection services, seasonal notices, and community links in one place.
View Homeowner Resources Below
germantown Homeowner Resources
This section is designed to reduce the time it takes to find answers for common homeowner questions in Germantown. If you are planning any type of improvement project, start with the permits and guidelines block so you can confirm what approvals may be required before work begins, and where to submit forms or schedule inspections. If your priority is weekly property upkeep, use the garbage and recycling blocks to confirm collection details, set out timing, cart placement rules, what belongs in each cart, and what needs special handling instead of curbside pickup.
For seasonal property cleanup and outdoor maintenance, the yard waste and cleanups block is meant to help residents quickly understand drop off options, brush rules, and seasonal facility information so you do not waste time guessing or setting materials out incorrectly. The seasonal services and city notices block is where you check for time sensitive updates that can affect scheduling, including weather related notices, holiday service impacts, and other official updates that change throughout the year. The final community and local information block gives you the core official city resources residents commonly need, like contact directories, public meetings, and other local tools.
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection
Garbage Collection
Who provides service in the Village of Germantown
The Village contracts Waste Management to provide residential garbage collection. If you are a business, a private development, or you live in an apartment or condominium with 4 or more units, you will need to contract your own garbage service with a provider.
How to find your weekly pickup day
Germantown uses a collection day map by weekday.
Open the Village garbage pickup map and locate your neighborhood, the map is labeled by weekday (Monday through Friday)
If you want the fastest confirmation, you can also contact Waste Management and provide your address, their automated system can tell you your day of service before routing you to an agent
Holiday delays, what changes and what does not
If your normal service day falls on or after a holiday observed Monday through Friday, service is delayed one day later that week, then it returns to the normal schedule the following week. Holidays that fall on a Saturday or Sunday do not change the weekly collection schedule. The Village lists these holidays:
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
Pickup problems, missed pickup, cart issues, bulk questions
For pickup problems or service issues, the Village directs residents to contact Waste Management directly. The Village also provides step by step instructions for phone, chat, and email so residents can reach the correct support team and get faster help.
Cart placement rules, avoid missed pickups
The Village’s placement guidance is specific:
Place the container three feet behind the curb
Where there is no curb, place containers within three feet of the traveled roadway, including areas commonly used for on street parking
Do not block sidewalks, driveways, or bike lanes
Leave space between the cart and obstacles such as cars, trees, poles, and other bins so the truck can safely service it
Set out time
Not verified on the Village garbage collection page. If you need a confirmed set out deadline for your address, use the Waste Management contact instructions and ask for the confirmed set out time for Village of Germantown residential service.
Recycling Collection
Who provides recycling service in the Village of Germantown
The Village contracts Waste Management for residential recycling collection. The Village provides one one time recycling container per residence, and additional or replacement containers are available through Waste Management for an additional fee. If you are a business or a private development, you will need to contract your own recycling service.
How often recycling is collected, and how to confirm your week
Recycling is collected every other week, on the same day as your garbage pickup day. The most reliable way to confirm your specific recycling week is to use the Village recycling calendar, which shows the every other week schedule.
How to find your recycling day
Your recycling day matches your normal garbage day
Use the Village recycling calendar to confirm whether your address is on the green week or gold week for that date range
If you want to double check quickly, Waste Management can confirm your collection day and your next recycling week when you provide your address
Holiday delays
If your service day falls on or after a holiday, collection is typically delayed by one day that week, then returns to the normal schedule the following week. The Village lists these holidays for the holiday delay rule:
Memorial Day
Independence Day
Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day
New Year’s Day
Cart placement, avoid missed pickups
The Village and Waste Management provide very practical placement guidance to help automated trucks service carts safely:
Place the cart with the wheels facing the house
Keep the cart at least 3 feet away from obstacles like parked cars, trees, mailboxes, and other carts
During winter conditions, do not place carts on top of snowbanks, keep them accessible and stable for collection
What goes in the recycling cart
Use this as the quick, homeowner friendly checklist for what belongs in the recycling cart in Germantown:
Accepted in the cart
Plastic containers, #1 to #7 plastics that show the recycling symbol
Glass containers, clear, brown, and green
Metal, aluminum cans and clean foil, plus bi metal cans
Paper, newspapers, magazines, office paper, paperboard, phone books, hard cover books
Cardboard, corrugated cardboard and similar paperboard packaging
Prep tips that help avoid contamination
No need to remove labels, but containers should be rinsed clean
Place recyclables loose in the cart, do not bag recyclables
Keep items empty, free of food and liquid
Do not put these in the recycling cart
Plastic bags, bagged recyclables, and plastic film
Food or liquids
Batteries, flammables, hazardous waste
Foam cups, foam containers, straws
Clothing, carpet, furniture
Yard waste or other green waste
Electronics and appliances
Electronics and appliances should not go in the recycling cart. Germantown publishes a dedicated appliance and electronics recycling flyer with accepted items and fee details, including a recycling fee for televisions.
Set out time
Not verified for Village of Germantown recycling collection on the official Village recycling page, calendar, or brochure. If you want the confirmed set out deadline for your specific route, contact Waste Management and ask for the set out time for Village of Germantown residential recycling service.
Yard Waste Collection
Where yard waste goes in Germantown
The Village directs residents to use the Residential Yard Waste Facility for yard waste and brush drop off. This is also the recommended option because curbside brush pickup is limited and does not include leaves or regular yard waste.
Residential Yard Waste Facility, location
The Village lists the Residential Yard Waste Facility address as: W130N10200 Town 9 Parkway.
Entry permit required, important detail
The Village states an entry permit is required to enter the new Residential Yard Waste Facility.
The permit is free
It is obtained at the DPW window at Village Hall during normal business hours
Permits are valid for 2 years
The permit must be visible, and placed on the lower right passenger side corner of the windshield
Hours, seasonal schedule
The Village publishes seasonal hours for the facility:
February to March, second Saturday of each month, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
April to November, Tuesday and Thursday, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
December to January, Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Holidays, closed on all observed holidays
What the facility accepts
The Village lists these accepted materials:
Yard waste, two designated areas
Grass, leaves, garden waste
Brush, branches, limbs, logs, with a 10 foot length limit and 24 inch diameter max
Waste oil and antifreeze, with special rules
What is not accepted
The Village states these are not accepted at the facility:
Stumps
Treated wood products
Railroad ties
Waste oil and antifreeze drop off rules
The Village provides specific handling rules:
Put waste oil and antifreeze in a plastic container with a cap
No container larger than 5 gallons
Oil filters should be drained of excess oil
Commercial use
Commercial use of the Residential Yard Waste Facility is prohibited.
Annual curbside brush pickup, limited service
The Village provides brush collection once per year in early June. Key rules the Village publishes:
Limbs should be no more than 6 feet long
Place brush at the curb with the trunk facing the street
Brush in containers will not be picked up
Yard waste and leaves are not included in this pick up
Buckthorn will be picked up
The Village also notes the brush pickup process takes about two weeks, and they will not extend pickup or collect brush set out after pickup has started.
Permits and Home Improvement Guidelines
If you are planning a remodel, exterior upgrade, or any project that changes a structure or involves electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work, the Village of Germantown permits process is the first stop. The goal is simple, confirm whether a permit is required, submit the right application up front, and avoid delays once work is underway.
Start here, do you need a permit
Use the Village’s Residential Permits Required hub to quickly check the most common homeowner projects. It includes dedicated guidance areas for items like decks, fences, finished basements, garages and sheds, pools, and related permit considerations. If you are unsure, contact Building Inspection Services before purchasing materials or scheduling work so you do not have to redo plans or timelines later.
Which permits are most common for homeowners
Most homeowner projects fall into one or more of these buckets, and the Village provides separate applications for each:
Building permits, structural work, additions, alterations, major remodels
Electrical permits, new circuits, device additions, service changes, chargers, generators, hot tubs, and similar work
Plumbing permits, fixture replacements, water heaters, sewer or water service related work, pumps, and similar work
HVAC permits, furnace, AC, equipment replacement, ductwork, gas line extensions for heating devices, and related work
Site or property related permits, erosion control, driveway permits, and other public works items depending on the scope
How the permit process typically flows
Confirm requirements first, check the Residential Permits Required guidance and the permit applications list, then call Building Inspection if your scope is unusual or you are combining multiple trades.
Submit the correct application, the Village posts individual applications for building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, driveway, erosion control, and more.
Plan for inspections, the permit applications include language that inspections are required before work is concealed and prior to occupancy or use, and they instruct you to have the permit number and address when requesting inspections.
Budget for more than one fee type, the Village fee schedule explains that depending on the project, multiple fee types may apply, for example construction permit fees plus plan review, zoning related fees, occupancy permit fees, erosion control fees, state seal charges, plus separate electrical, plumbing, and HVAC permits when applicable.
Who handles permits and inspections in Germantown
The Village’s Building Inspection Services page notes the Village has DSPS delegated authority and that SAFEBuilt staff provide permit processing, plan review, and inspection services for residents and businesses. This matters because it clarifies where homeowners should direct questions, and why plan review and inspection scheduling should be handled through Building Inspection Services.
Hours and contact info to keep handy
Inspection Department office hours are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Building Inspector office hours to talk to an inspector are listed as Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 10:00 am
The Village also notes that inspections must be scheduled before 4:00 pm for next day inspections
Main contact listed for Building Inspection is 262-346-4460, and the general email listed is germantowninspections@safebuilt.com
Seasonal services and city notices
This block is your go to hub for time sensitive updates in Germantown that can affect parking, snow operations, road conditions, and general planning. If something feels unclear or is changing quickly, use the official Alert Center and Notify Me tools first, they are the fastest way to confirm what is active right now.
How to stay updated, fastest official tools
Alert Center, shows active alerts by category, including traffic and emergencies
Notify Me, lets you subscribe to email or SMS updates for things like traffic, street closures, detours, and dangerous road conditions
News Flash and Calendar, helpful for general Village announcements, meeting items, and community notices
Winter parking rules, avoid tickets and tow risk
Germantown regulates overnight street parking year round. The Village publishes these key points in its official “What You Need to Know” notice:
Overnight parking is regulated under Municipal Ordinance 7.05(5)
Street parking enforcement is 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Overnight parking must follow the even day, even side, odd day, odd side rule
Parking permits are available through the Germantown Police Department, and the permit must be displayed on the dash and visible through the windshield
Snow emergencies and temporary parking restrictions
The Village posts winter storm updates through its official alert and update channels. In significant events, the Village may issue a snow emergency notice and restrict parking on Village streets until the emergency is lifted. Always verify the current status using the Alert Center and Village updates before leaving vehicles on the street.
Snow operations, what to expect and what homeowners should plan for
Germantown publishes a Snow Operations FAQ to set expectations during plowing and cleanup. Practical homeowner takeaways:
If plows are still operating, snow may be pushed to the right and can refill cleared driveway openings, this is normal during active plowing
Plows need to clear close to the curb to keep runoff moving toward inlets during melt conditions
If you are trying to time shoveling, check snow operations updates and wait until plows have completed your street when possible
Important winter rule, do not push snow into the street
The Village has an ordinance stating it is unlawful to plow, shovel, dump, or place snow onto or across the maintained portion of a public street. If you are clearing a driveway or sidewalk, keep snow on your property and out of the roadway.
Seasonal planning, where notices usually show up first
When seasons change, updates often show up in these places first:
Traffic and street closure alerts, detours, dangerous road conditions
Winter storm operations updates and public safety notices
Public notices and announcements, including meeting items and community updates
Community and local information
Village Hall basics
Main Village contact, hours, and address: If you are not sure which department handles your question, starting with the main Village line is usually the fastest route to the right person.
In person requests: Many services, payments, and forms can be handled online, but Village Hall is the best starting point for anything that needs staff review or a hard copy submission.
Who to contact, and how to reach the right department
Staff directory by department: Use the Village Staff Directory to quickly find the correct phone number for areas like Clerk’s Office, Community Development, Building Inspections, Planning and Zoning, Finance, Public Works, Park and Recreation, Police, Fire, and the Library.
Online contact form: If you prefer writing your question, the Village provides an official Contact Us form you can submit online.
Meetings, agendas, minutes, and public input
Agenda packets and minutes: The Village posts agendas and minutes online, including packets when available.
Watching meetings: Recorded and livestreamed meeting content is available through the Village’s official meeting resources.
Submitting a comment: If you want to speak or submit a comment for a public meeting, use the Village’s official meeting comment form in advance.
Local ordinances and rules, where to verify
Municipal code: For homeowner related rules, local ordinances, and regulations, the Village’s official code of ordinances is published through Municode and is the most reliable place to confirm what is currently in effect.
Paying bills and using online tools
Utility bills: Germantown uses the Citizen Self Service Portal for online utility payments and account management, including address updates and bill delivery preferences.
Other payments: The Village also provides an official Pay page for common online payments, including items like court fees or citations and select Village bills.
Parks, programs, and library
Park and Recreation: The Village Park and Recreation page is the hub for programs, facility rentals, and department contact info.
Library: The Germantown Community Library provides events, services, and resources for residents, it is a strong local hub for families and homeowners.
Maps and property lookup
Maps and GIS: If you need a property lookup tool, mapping, or land information, the Village points residents to Washington County’s GIS mapping application through its official Maps and GIS page