Handyman services
in Oak Creek, WI
Elmbrook Handyman proudly serves homeowners and property managers in Oak Creek, Wisconsin with reliable, professional handyman services tailored to local needs. This page also includes essential Mequon homeowner resources for permits, waste services, seasonal programs, and community information.
View Homeowner Resources Below
Mequon Homeowner Resources
If you are planning repairs, cleanouts, or home improvements in Mequon, Scroll down to find permits, pickup schedules, seasonal notices, and local city links, all in one place.
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection
Recycling Collection
How to find your recycling week and next pickup day
Recycling in Oak Creek is collected bi weekly. The fastest way to confirm your recycling week and see your next pickup day is to use the City’s Address Lookup Tool.
Holiday week delays
If a holiday falls on a regular collection day Monday through Thursday, pickup shifts one day later starting on the holiday day and running through the rest of that week only. The regular schedule resumes the following week.
Cart requirements
All recycling must be inside the City issued recycling cart. Recycling left outside the cart will not be collected.
Cart placement, set out basics
Place carts on the opposite corners of your driveway approach, with the arrows on the lid pointing toward the street.
Do not place the garbage cart on the same side of your approach as your mailbox.
Keep carts at least 5 feet away from vertical obstructions, including the other cart. Keep at least 15 feet of clearance around parked vehicles.
If there is an obvious reason you cannot place carts as directed, use your best judgment. If placement needs to change, the collector may leave a red tag on the cart with specific instructions.
What goes in the recycling cart
Mixed containers
Aluminum cans, clean aluminum foil
Tin cans, steel cans, aerosol cans, empty and dried paint cans
Glass bottles and jars
Plastics #1 through #7
Milk cartons, juice boxes, soup cartons
Mixed paper
Newspapers, magazines, books, mail, school and office paper
Brown corrugated cardboard
Gray chipboard, cereal and shoe boxes
Brown paper bags
Do not put these items in the recycling cart
Styrofoam of any kind
Trash
Construction materials
Clothing
Yard waste
Household hazardous waste
Electronics
Pizza boxes
Important, no plastic bags
Do not put recycling in plastic bags.
If it cannot go in the cart
Items that are not accepted in the recycling cart can be taken to the City Recycling Yard. Household hazardous waste should be taken to an approved household hazardous waste drop off program.
Who to contact for issues, carts, repairs
GFL Environmental collects recycling for the City of Oak Creek. For collection issues, additional carts, replacement carts, or cart repairs, contact GFL Environmental at (262) 679-0860.
For carts for newly constructed homes, call the Oak Creek Department of Public Works at (414) 768-6552.
Who collects trash in Oak Creek
GFL Environmental (formerly Advanced Disposal) collects residential garbage for the City of Oak Creek. If you have collection issues, need an additional cart, need a replacement cart, or need a cart repair, contact GFL at (262) 679-0860.
How to find your next pickup day
Use the City’s Address Lookup tool to confirm your route details and upcoming collection day.
Holiday delays
When there is a holiday during the regular collection days of Monday through Thursday, from the holiday day forward, pickup is one day later than normal for that week only. The regular schedule resumes the following week.
Set out rules, what gets picked up
All garbage must be placed inside the City carts. Garbage left outside the cart will not be collected.
Cart placement rules (avoid missed pickups)
Place carts at the curb with access for the collection truck, then follow these placement rules:
Put carts on opposite corners of your driveway approach
Keep the arrows on the lid pointing toward the street
Keep the garbage cart away from your mailbox side, and at least 5 feet from vertical obstructions, including the recycling cart
Keep a 15 foot minimum clearance around parked vehicles
If you cannot place carts exactly as shown in the City’s diagram, use your best judgment. If your carts need to be placed differently, the collector may leave a red tag with specific instructions
New construction, getting your carts
Garbage and recycling carts for newly constructed homes may be obtained by calling the Oak Creek Department of Public Works at (414) 768-6552.
Bulky items and special pickups
If you need a special pickup (for eligible residents), the City’s Public Works Cleanup Services page outlines timing, prep rules, payment requirements, and items that will not be picked up.
Garbage Collection
- Keep carts at least 5 feet apart
- Keep carts at least 3 feet away from mailboxes, poles, vehicles, and other obstructions
- Keep the cart lid closed, no overflow or stacked items on top
Yard Waste and Seasonal Pickups
Oak Creek handles most yard waste through the City Recycling Yard and seasonal curbside pickups for specific materials. This section summarizes what the City accepts, what it does not accept, how seasonal pickups work, and how to avoid rejected set outs.
Grass clippings
The City does not accept grass clippings.
Recommended options are to compost at home or mulch clippings back into the lawn.
Leaves
The City does not pick up leaves curbside.
Leaves may not be placed in streets, alleys, or sidewalk areas.
Residents may dispose of leaves at the City Recycling Yard during normal hours.
Branches and brush, seasonal curbside pickup
Oak Creek Public Works conducts four branch pickups annually. The pickup begins on:
May 1
July 1
September 1
November 1
If the start date falls on a weekend, pickup begins the following Monday.
How to prepare branches for pickup
To be guaranteed a pickup, branches should be stacked at the curb or roadside prior to the start date, but no earlier than two weeks before the pickup begins.
Stack branches neatly.
Place cut ends toward the street so crews can grab and chip efficiently.
Keep root balls separate from the brush pile.
What the City will not pick up
Branches from lot clearing
Branches from a contractor doing work on your property
If a contractor is doing removals, plan on private hauling or using the Recycling Yard, if eligible and allowed.
Christmas tree disposal
The Department of Public Works collects real Christmas trees throughout the month of January.
Place your tree curbside for collection.
This is intended for real trees, not artificial.
Recycling Yard, yard waste drop off rules
The City Recycling Yard is the main drop off option for many yard waste items and seasonal cleanup needs.
Key access rules Oak Creek posts:
Open to owner occupants of residences that receive an individual property tax bill issued by the City of Oak Creek.
No contractor vehicles are allowed into the yard.
Manufactured home park occupants with private garbage pickup may use the yard for yard waste and shredding only.
If you are unsure where something goes
Use the City pages below for the official rules on yard waste, branch pickup timing, Christmas tree disposal, and Recycling Yard eligibility.
Permits and home improvement guidelines
If you are planning home improvements in Oak Creek, it is worth checking permits first so you avoid inspection delays, stop work issues, or problems during resale.
Where Oak Creek permit requirements live
Oak Creek organizes most homeowner permit guidance through its Licenses and Permits center, with dedicated pages for common projects like remodels, decks, fences, sheds and garages, plumbing, and egress windows.
When a building permit is typically required
Oak Creek states a building permit is required for renovation or remodeling work to an existing residence, with limited exceptions noted on the City’s residential alteration permit page. If your project changes structure, safety, or regulated systems, assume you need to confirm permitting before starting.
Homeowner pulled permits
Oak Creek states that homeowners who want to pull their own permits must physically reside at the address where the work will be completed. If you are hiring a contractor, confirm who will be pulling permits and that the application is filed correctly before work begins.
Common Oak Creek projects with clear permit guidance
Residential remodels and alterations
A building permit is required for renovations or remodels of an existing residence. This is the best starting point for most interior home improvement projects.
Decks
Oak Creek publishes deck permit rules that include zoning and placement guidance. Examples of rules Oak Creek posts include:
Freestanding decks have a maximum size of 500 square feet.
Decks may not be built in any easement.
Attached decks must meet the same setback requirements as the principal structure.
Freestanding decks must meet side setbacks, be behind the front elevation of the home, and be at least 5 feet from the rear property line.
Oak Creek also provides a way to determine your zoning district, since setback rules depend on zoning.
Fences
Oak Creek posts fence permit guidance that includes:
Fences are permitted in side and rear yards of residential districts.
Fences are prohibited in front yards.
Fences may not be located closer than 2 feet to any alley right of way line.
Corner lot fences must comply with traffic visibility rules referenced by the City.
Oak Creek provides a yard diagram and additional FAQ guidance on the fence permit page.
Sheds and garages
Oak Creek provides a dedicated sheds and garages permit page and notes that the process can take up to 10 business days from a complete submittal. Use this page when planning accessory structures so you confirm placement and application requirements before purchasing materials.
Egress windows
Oak Creek states a permit is required when adding an egress window. This page is useful for basement finishing, bedroom conversions, and safety egress upgrades.
Plumbing, electrical, and other trade permits
Oak Creek provides dedicated permit pages for certain trade work, like plumbing. For inspection scheduling, Oak Creek notes to call at least 24 hours in advance and to have your permit number available.
Inspections, scheduling expectations
Oak Creek provides inspection scheduling direction and contact information through its Building Inspection resources. If your permit requires inspections, schedule early and have your permit number ready when calling.
Fees and cost planning
Oak Creek publishes permit and City fee information through its fees and charges resources, and some permit pages reference specific fee schedules for certain residential permit types. Check the fee pages before applying so you understand City costs tied to your scope.
Seasonal Services and City Notices
Winter parking and snow operations
From December 1 through March 31, overnight street parking is restricted to support plowing operations. The City lists the restricted hours as:
Monday through Friday, 2:00 am to 6:00 am
Saturday and Sunday, 2:30 am to 6:00 am
If you rely on street parking, plan ahead during winter storms so City crews can clear roads safely and efficiently.
Safe driving around snow plows
The City references Wisconsin rules for following behind snowplows:
Keep at least 75 feet back when the speed limit is 35 mph or less
Keep at least 200 feet back when the speed limit is over 35 mph
Keep at least 20 feet back when stopped at an intersection
Sidewalks, hydrants, and mailboxes, homeowner responsibilities
The City outlines several common winter responsibilities for property owners:
Do not blow or shovel snow into the street, the City notes this is a municipal code violation and can be ticketed
Clear snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours after accumulation stops
Keep mailboxes and fire hydrants clear on your property so services can function during storms
Mailboxes or lawn damage from plowing, what to do
If a mailbox or post is damaged due to City snow removal operations, the City instructs residents to report the damage within 10 business days. They list Public Works at (414) 570-5682 and also provide an online reporting option.
Key points the City lists for mailbox replacement and reimbursement include:
Mailbox must be installed to USPS height and setback standards
Mailbox must have been in good condition prior to the damage
The City will generally attempt repair first, then replace with a standard City mailbox if needed
If a resident prefers a custom mailbox, the City notes reimbursement is up to $100 per event for parts only, no labor
The City may provide a temporary mailbox while repairs are completed
Road work, potholes, and who maintains your street
Oak Creek notes that the City does not maintain all roads within city limits. Some streets are maintained by other government entities, or even private entities. If you are reporting an issue like potholes, road striping problems, snow plowing concerns, or similar, it matters who owns the road.
The City lists:
Oak Creek Public Works road maintenance requests can be made by calling (414) 570-5682 or submitting a request online
Roads maintained by the State or County can be reported to the Milwaukee County Department of Public Works at (414) 257-6566
City notices and updates, how to stay in the loop
For seasonal notices like storm updates, public works alerts, and general City announcements, Oak Creek provides multiple official channels:
eNotifications, for website-posted news and events
Mobile Alerts, for emergency updates
City News and Media Releases
City calendars for events, meetings, and office closures
Community and Local Information
This section pulls together the most useful Oak Creek homeowner resources in one place, who to contact, where to go, and what tools to use so you can handle common city needs fast.
City Hall, main contact, address, hours
Use City Hall for general questions, department routing, permits questions, payments, records, and city services.
Main phone, (414) 766-7000
Location, Oak Creek Civic Center, 8040 S 6th Street, Oak Creek, WI 53154
Hours, Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, excluding designated holidays
Police Department, non emergency support
Use the Police Department for non emergency needs, reporting, questions, and public safety resources.
Non emergency phone, (414) 762-8200
Location, 301 W Ryan Road, Oak Creek, WI 53154
Emergencies, 911
Library, hours, location, contact
Oak Creek Public Library is a strong local resource for residents, programs, printing, study spaces, and community events.
Phone, (414) 766-7900
Location, Drexel Town Square, 8040 S 6th Street, Oak Creek, WI 53154
Hours listed by the library
Mon through Thu, 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Fri, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sat, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Closures vary by holiday, check the library hours page before visiting
Parks, facilities, and outdoor spaces
Oak Creek maintains a variety of parks and shelters. This is the best place to find park listings and facility details.
Park pages include amenity information and can help you identify shelters, fields, courts, and playground locations
Recreation programs and registration
Oak Creek offers recreation programs for multiple age groups, along with facilities and rentals.
Use the Recreation hub to view program options and registration directions
If you are looking for community education and recreation offerings through the school district program, use the district’s offerings page for contact and program listings
Events, city updates, and alerts
If you want to stay plugged into what is happening locally, use these:
Events page for community events and seasonal celebrations
Events calendar for official event listings and office closures
Mobile Alerts for emergency notifications related to locations you care about
Report an issue, non emergency service requests
For non emergency requests like reporting a problem or requesting certain city services, use Oak Creek’s online request tool so you can submit and track the request.