Handyman services
in Oconomowoc, WI
Oconomowoc 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
Oconomowoc Homeowner Resources
If you are planning repairs, cleanouts, or home improvements in Oconomowoc, Scroll down to find permits, pickup schedules, seasonal notices, and local city links, all in one place.
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection
Garbage Collection
Oconomowoc’s curbside garbage service is handled by Johns Disposal, the City’s contracted hauler. Garbage is collected every week, and recycling is collected every other week, recycling is typically picked up first, then garbage may run later in the day depending on traffic.
How to confirm your pickup week and any holiday shifts
Use the City’s official collection schedule calendar to confirm your weekly garbage day and your recycling week
Around certain holidays, some routes can shift, the City calendar is the cleanest source to verify what applies to your address group
Set out time and prep
Have carts out by 6:00 AM, or set them out the night before if that’s easier
Extra bags left outside the cart are not collected
It is okay if the lid is slightly propped by bags inside the cart, but everything should still be contained in the cart
Cart basics for Oconomowoc
The City provides two carts per property through the hauler
64 gallon cart for refuse, weekly pickup
96 gallon cart for recycling, every other week pickup
Keep carts accessible and not blocked by snowbanks, parked vehicles, or construction staging
Bulk items, what to do when something will not fit
Each household is allowed one bulky item per week, but you must call Johns Disposal to schedule the bulk pickup
If you need more than one bulky item in the same week, you can request a special pick up for an added charge, Johns Disposal confirms pricing when you call
Common bulky examples include furniture and appliances, confirm anything unusual with Johns before setting it out
Missed pickup or service issue
For missed collection or questions about your route, call Johns Disposal at 262-473-4700
If your question is about City program rules or special assistance options, contact the City Public Works line listed on the City refuse and recycling page
Walk up assistance option
Oconomowoc offers a “walk up” program for qualified residents who are physically unable to bring carts to the curb, it requires an application and physician verification
Recycling Collection
Oconomowoc curbside recycling is handled by Johns Disposal and collected every other week. It is single stream, meaning you mix approved recyclables together in the same cart.
How to confirm your recycling week
Use the City and Johns Disposal schedule for your correct week, especially around holidays and route changes
Set out time
Put the recycle cart out the night before, or by 6:00 AM on collection day
Cart placement, this prevents missed pickups
Place carts within 2 feet of the road on the driveway edge
Arrows on the lid point toward the road
Handles and wheels face away from the road
Keep 6 feet of clearance between carts and other objects, especially mailboxes, poles, and vehicles
Put the recycle cart on the opposite side of the driveway from the garbage cart
How to prep recycling so it gets collected and processed
Keep recyclables loose in the cart, do not bag them
Rinse bottles, cans, and jugs before putting them in the cart
All material must fit in the cart, overflow outside the cart is not collected
What can go in the recycle cart, practical overview (Paper and cardboard)
Cardboard and paperboard (empty), newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper
Flatten larger boxes when possible to save space
Cartons
Food and beverage cartons, empty
Plastic
Plastic bottles and containers (approved household types), empty and free of liquids or food
Metal and glass
Aluminum and steel cans, empty
Glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, green), empty
Small metal household items are typically accepted only if they meet Johns size limits, if in doubt, confirm first
Common items that should NOT go in the cart
Plastic film, wrap, bags, and Styrofoam
Batteries, electronics, hazardous materials
Construction or demolition debris
Recyclables with liquid or food still inside
Large, heavy metal items over Johns weight limits
Old blue bin note
If you still have an old blue recycling bin and do not want it, the City allows you to place it inside the new cart, or set it out on your recycling day marked for removal
Questions or missed pickup
Call Johns Disposal, 262-473-4700
Official City Resources:
Yard Waste collection
Oconomowoc yard waste is handled through the City’s program with scheduled yard waste pickups during the yard waste season. This is separate from your regular weekly garbage service rules, so it helps to follow the City’s set out and container requirements closely.
Yard waste pickup season and how often it happens
Yard waste is collected on your regular garbage day from April through December
The City runs 20 scheduled yard waste pickups, not weekly, so you must use the yard waste schedule to confirm which weeks apply
What counts as acceptable yard waste
Use these as your main “yes” items for curbside yard waste pickup:
Leaves and dry grass clippings
Yard and garden debris
Brush and clean woody vegetation material that meets the size limits below
Brush and branch limits, this prevents rejected piles
Tree limbs and branches must be 6 inches in diameter or smaller
Length must be 4 feet or shorter
Bundles must be tightly bundled with twine
Each bundle should not exceed 60 pounds
Wire or nylon is not acceptable for bundling
Containers and bags that are allowed
30 gallon paper yard waste bags
Dry cardboard boxes, no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet
Other easy to handle containers, no larger than 3 feet by 3 feet
Metal or plastic garbage cans, no larger than 32 gallons, marked with a red X to identify them as yard waste
Plastic bag rule, important
Plastic bags are not allowed for yard waste collection because they do not compost
What is not accepted as yard waste
These items are listed as not acceptable for the yard waste program:
Vegetables
Stumps
Sod, dirt, or roots
Shrubs with intact root balls
Seasonal pickup notes, items that go in regular garbage instead
The City’s yard waste schedule notes the following can be included with regular garbage pickup, not yard waste pickup:
Pumpkins
Cornstalks
Apples
Black walnuts
Set out placement
Place yard waste curbside, and visually separate from your garbage and recycling
Keep piles manageable and accessible, do not block sidewalks, driveways, or mailboxes
Christmas tree pickup
Place live cut trees curbside during January on your regular garbage day
Cut the tree in half if it is taller than 6 feet
Household hazardous waste day
The City’s schedule includes a dedicated Household Hazardous Waste event, these are typically limited date events, so confirm the current year schedule before planning
Important planning note, no City yard waste drop off site
The City states there is no public owned site where City residents can dispose of yard waste
If you miss a scheduled pickup or have a large cleanup, you may need to use private disposal options for a fee, or consult Waukesha County’s official compost and yard waste resources for current options
Permits and home improvement guidelines
If you are planning a repair, upgrade, or exterior project in Oconomowoc, confirm permit requirements early so you do not run into inspection delays, rework, or unexpected fees.
Who handles permits and inspections
The City of Oconomowoc Building Inspection Division manages building permits, occupancy permits, and inspections
Main phone: (262) 569-2195
Posted counter hours are limited, plan to call ahead if you need help submitting or scheduling inspections
Best starting point
Use the City’s online permit portal for applications and tracking
For questions on what you need, call Building Inspection and describe the scope, location, and whether anything structural, electrical, plumbing, or HVAC is involved
Projects that commonly trigger permits
These are the most common homeowner projects that often require review or permitting, confirm your exact scope with Building Inspection:
Decks and exterior stairs
Fences and landscape walls
Sheds, detached garages, detached gazebos, and other accessory structures
Roofing and siding work (especially when tied to valuation thresholds and permit categories)
Pools
Remodels, especially when changes impact structure, egress, or safety items
New or upgraded electrical service, and other electrical changes tied to remodeling
Mechanical work and HVAC equipment changes
Plumbing changes tied to remodels
Fence rules, quick homeowner checkpoints
Oconomowoc publishes a fence handout that is helpful for planning before you spend money on materials.
Permit trigger, fences, landscape walls, and decorative posts at or above 30 inches require a building permit before construction begins
Permit submittal typically requires a standard permit application plus a site plan drawn to scale, showing lot lines, buildings, and proposed fence location and setbacks
Maximum heights shown on the City handout include:
4 feet within a required front or street yard
6 feet for residentially zoned property outside the required front or street yard
The handout also notes setback basics, including staying off easements unless approved, and not placing fences in drainage or utility easements unless approved by the City
Accessory structure rules, quick homeowner checkpoints
Oconomowoc also provides an accessory structures handout that covers the most common planning questions.
Accessory structures include detached garages and sheds, and may include detached decks or detached gazebos
Max footprint for any accessory building is 1,000 sq ft
Combined detached accessory building area has caps based on lot width, the handout lists 720 sq ft for lots with lot width 66 feet or less, and 1,000 sq ft for wider lots
Residential districts are generally limited to two detached accessory buildings per lot
Setbacks listed include 3 feet side, 5 feet rear
Separation from the principal structure is generally 10 feet, with limited reductions possible per the Building Inspector when special provisions are made
Height limit listed is 18 feet
Permit submittal typically requires a standard building permit application plus a scaled site plan, and a drawing or picture indicating height, the Building Inspector may also require structural plans
Permit fees, what to expect
Oconomowoc publishes a permit fee schedule that helps you estimate the permit cost category before you apply.
Examples shown on the City permit fee sheet include:
Remodel, $8 per $1,000 of valuation, $50 minimum
Additions, $8 per $1,000 of valuation, $75 minimum
Deck, $175
Fence, $50
Electric service, $80
These examples are not a quote, always confirm the current fee schedule for your exact scope.
Inspections, how to schedule and how to avoid delays
To request an inspection, call (262) 569-2195
The City lists common inspection checkpoints such as footing, foundation, rough framing, insulation, plumbing, electrical, and final inspections
Final inspection requirements can include additional prerequisites on new builds, so if your project is large or inspection heavy, ask Building Inspection what must be completed before they schedule the final
If you need rules beyond permits
The City provides access to the Municipal Code for ordinance level details that sometimes impact fences, zoning limits, and project compliance
Seasonal Services and City Notices
Seasonal rules and City notices in Oconomowoc can affect parking, snow operations, road access, and project timing. This block gives you the official places to check before scheduling anything time sensitive, especially during winter and construction season.
Winter street parking rules, critical for planning
Oconomowoc winter street parking is in effect December 1 through March 1
During that period, no vehicles may be parked on any City street from 2:00 AM to 5:00 AM
This matters for early morning arrivals, staging materials, delivery timing, and any project where street parking is normally used
Snow removal reminders that impact access
During snow events, plan for reduced curb access and tighter driveway staging due to snowbanks and plow windrows
If you need overnight downtown parking, the City notes there are posted municipal lots, and the Police Department manages monthly overnight parking permits for designated downtown lot areas
City alerts, the fastest way to check for disruptions
The City posts active alerts in the Alert Center, this is where you check for urgent notices that can impact services and access
For automatic updates, subscribe using Notify Me, so you get email and or text notifications for the categories you care about
Construction season and detours
The City posts Street Construction updates tied to the Capital Improvements Program, use this before scheduling exterior work, driveway work, or any delivery that needs clear road access
If a street is under construction, it can affect parking, access routes, and delivery windows, especially for tight residential streets
Best practice for scheduling
If your project is time sensitive, check the Alert Center and Street Construction page within a few days of the target date
In winter, also confirm parking compliance for the night before and the morning of the appointment
Community and Local Information
This section is a quick hub for Oconomowoc contacts, community calendars, and local resources that homeowners and property managers use most, especially when planning around events, meetings, parking, and seasonal activity.
City contacts and department help
Use the City Directory to quickly find the right department phone and email, including Building Inspection, Public Works, Utilities, Clerk, and Police
If you are not sure who to contact, the Directory is the fastest way to avoid getting routed around
City events, notices, and community calendar
Use the City Calendar to check community events, City meetings, and public notices that can affect timing, traffic, and parking
The calendar also supports iCalendar subscription, useful if you want events added to your personal calendar automatically
Public meetings, agendas, and local decisions
Use the Agenda Center for official agendas, packets, and minutes
This is especially helpful when street projects, utility work, ordinances, or community decisions could impact access or scheduling
Parks, recreation, trails, and seasonal programs
The Parks, Recreation, and Forestry page is the official hub for parks, trails, forestry, beaches and boating info, and department updates
For class registration and program schedules, use the City’s RecDesk program portal
Library services and community programs
The Oconomowoc Public Library posts events, workshops, and community programming through its online events calendar
The City Directory also lists the library contact information if you need to reach the main desk directly
Public safety, non emergency help
Use the Police Department page for official contact info and department resources
For emergencies, call 911