Handyman services
in Bay View, WI
Elmbrook Handyman serves homeowners and property managers in Bay View with reliable handyman repairs and small project support. This page is designed as a quick local resource hub, so you can find key city services and homeowner links in one place while planning your next project.
View Homeowner Resources Below
Bay View Homeowner Resources
Below are the most useful local resources for Bay View homeowners and property managers, including permits, pickup schedules, seasonal notices, and other common city information that can impact planning and scheduling.
Garbage, recycling,
and yard waste collection
Garbage Collection
Bay View is served by the City of Milwaukee Sanitation Services. Garbage is collected weekly, and your exact collection day is tied to your service address.
How to find your collection day
Use the City’s schedule lookup tool and enter your address to view your full calendar
Schedules can shift after City holidays, the address calendar reflects the official changes
Set out timing and what the City expects
Carts and bins must be at the collection point, curb line or alley line, by 7:00 AM on your pickup day
Make sure there is a clear path to the cart, and it is free from ice and snow buildup
Keep your cart about 3 feet away from other objects so the crew can safely service it
Carts must be returned to the storage area by 10:00 PM on collection day, the City notes violations and fines can apply if carts are left out
Cart placement, curb line vs alley line
Many Bay View homes are serviced from the alley, if your block has alley collection, your cart goes at the alley line
If you are curb serviced, place the cart at the curb line
Do not place carts where they are blocked by parked vehicles, snow piles, or construction staging
Bagging rules, what prevents mess and missed pickups
Garbage must be bagged, do not place loose trash in the cart
Keep lids closed whenever possible to reduce litter and wildlife issues
If you have an Automated Side Loader route
Some Milwaukee addresses are serviced by an automated truck.
If your cart is serviced this way, the City notes the cart must be oriented so the lid opens toward the street or alley, and the handle faces the house
Extra items and bulky pickup
You can set out up to 1 cubic yard of bulky items at your normal collection point on your regular day, the City compares this to about the size of a recliner or two garbage carts, and you do not need to call in a request
If you have more than 1 cubic yard, you must request a special pickup, and there are fees based on the amount
Yard waste, electronics, appliances, and tires are not treated as bulky waste, those have separate disposal rules
Questions or missed pickup
Call 414-286-CITY (2489) for DPW help and service questions
Recycling Collection
Bay View uses the City of Milwaukee curbside recycling program. Recycling is collected every other week, and your exact recycling week is tied to your address, so the schedule lookup is the best source of truth.
How to find your recycling week
Enter your address in the City schedule lookup to view your full recycling calendar
Schedules can shift after City holidays, the address calendar reflects the official changes
Set out timing and cart basics
Set your recycle cart at the collection point, curb line or alley line, by 7:00 AM on your scheduled day
Return carts to the storage area by 10:00 PM on collection day
Keep the cart accessible and visible, especially during winter, do not leave it buried behind snow piles
Leave clearance around the cart so the crew can service it safely
How to prep recycling so it actually gets processed
Do not bag recyclables, empty items loose into the cart
Empty and rinse containers, keep items clean and dry
Break down boxes and flatten cardboard to save space
Shredded paper should be placed in a sealed paper bag, then placed in the cart
Accepted curbside recycling, the core list
Paper and cardboard
Newspapers, magazines, mail, office paper, paperboard like cereal boxes
Corrugated cardboard, flattened
Metal
Aluminum and steel cans, empty and rinsed
Cartons
Food and beverage cartons, empty and rinsed
Glass
Glass bottles and jars, any color, empty and rinsed
Do not include window glass, mirrors, drinking glasses, mugs, ceramics, or Pyrex
Plastic
Plastic bottles and containers marked #1, #2, or #5
Empty and rinse, replace caps when possible
Most common items that are NOT accepted curbside
These are frequent contamination issues that cause missed loads or processing problems:
Plastic bags, wrap, and film, including grocery bags and “tanglers”
Bagged recyclables of any kind
Foam products, Styrofoam, takeout containers
Batteries, electronics, cords, wires, hoses
Scrap metal, hangers, appliances
Liquids, food, yard waste
If you are unsure about an item
Use the City’s Recycling Directory to search specific items and confirm whether it belongs in the cart, needs a drop off option, or should go in garbage.
Need help, missed pickup, or service issues
Use the City’s service request tool, or call the Unified Call Center at 414-286-CITY (2489)
Yard Waste and Seasonal Pickups
Bay View is served by the City of Milwaukee Sanitation Services. Yard waste rules are different than garbage and recycling, most yard debris is either handled by seasonal programs, by-request collection, or through the City Drop Off Centers.
Quick rule, most yard waste is not collected weekly at the curb
Yard debris like grass clippings, weeds, and most garden cleanups are not collected curbside as part of normal weekly trash service
Plan ahead for drop off, composting, or the specific seasonal options below
Branches and brush
Milwaukee offers brush collection by request during the warm season, and drop off during winter.
April through November, you can request curbside brush collection for piles up to 2 cubic yards (about the size of a couch)
December through March, brush should be taken to a City Drop Off Center
How to set out brush
Place brush between the curb and sidewalk, or at the alley line if your address is alley serviced
Keep brush out of the street
Cut to size, no branches longer than 4 feet, or larger than 6 inches in diameter
If the pile is larger than 2 cubic yards, it must be taken to a Drop Off Center
Leaves, fall leaf collection
Milwaukee lists a Fall Leaf Collection window of October 1 through November 15, and recommends confirming current dates before planning.
Best options for leaves
Mulch leaves with your mower and leave them on the lawn
Compost on site
Bring leaves to a City Drop Off Center
If using the City fall leaf process
The City asks residents not to rake leaves back into the street
You can place a request so a leaf pile location is accounted for if needed, especially if you are unsure whether your pile is on the collection list
Leaves pushed back by plowing or compressed piles may not be collected, the City notes spring cleanup opportunities may be announced when conditions allow
Grass clippings
Grass clippings are not collected curbside at any time
It is a violation of City ordinance to blow or move grass clippings into the street
Best options are grass cycling (leave clippings on the lawn), composting, or drop off at a City Drop Off Center
Garden debris and weeds
Garden debris includes things like dead plants, tomato vines, corn or sunflower stalks, and weeds
Options are composting on site or taking material to a City Drop Off Center
The City notes garden debris can be placed on top of leaves during the official fall leaf collection, weeds and garden debris are not collected curbside at other times
Drop Off Centers, best option for year round yard waste
City Drop Off Centers are the most reliable option for yard waste, especially outside seasonal windows.
Two locations, North and South
Photo ID is required, residents and City property owners are eligible
Vehicle limits apply, including restrictions on long box trucks and long trailers, and loads must be safely secured
Hours are seasonal, the City publishes summer and winter hours, and closures for City holidays
Seasonal pickup, holiday trees
Milwaukee offers a holiday tree pickup option separate from regular garbage service.
Trees must be free of decorations and must not be bagged
Trees sprayed with fake snow cannot be composted
Wreaths typically go in the garbage cart, unless they are completely free of decorations, wire, and plastic
Artificial trees can be placed at the garbage collection point, but should not go inside the garbage cart
Need help, missed pickup, or service issues
Use the City’s service request tool, or call the Unified Call Center at 414-286-CITY (2489)
Permits and home
improvement guidelines
Bay View is a Milwaukee neighborhood, so permits and inspections are handled through the City of Milwaukee Department of Neighborhood Services (DNS). If your project involves exterior changes, structural modifications, or trade work like electrical, plumbing, or HVAC, confirm permit requirements early so you do not lose time to rework, plan review delays, or inspection scheduling.
Start here, quick permit check
Use Milwaukee’s official “Does it need a permit?” checklist to quickly confirm if your project usually requires a permit
This is the fastest way to avoid guessing on common projects like decks, fences, windows, doors, basements, kitchens, baths, roofing, siding, garages, and sheds
Apply online, Milwaukee Land Management System
Milwaukee uses an online system for permit applications, record search, uploads, and payments
Create an account if you want to track your applications and upload plans, photos, and documents more easily
If you are pulling multiple permits for one project (building plus trade permits), keep everything under the same property address and project scope so it is easier to review and inspect
Plan and document prep, what usually speeds up approval
Provide a clear scope description, exact address, and photos of the existing conditions
If plans are required, upload drawings that show dimensions, materials, and how the work ties into existing construction
Keep manufacturer specs handy for products like windows, doors, structural components, and mechanical equipment, these are often requested during review
Inspections, what to expect
Milwaukee inspection requests are coordinated by section, you schedule an appointment when you can meet the inspector
Use the DNS Inspection Services page to find the correct section contact so inspections are not delayed by routing to the wrong team
If you plan to visit the Permit and Development Center in person, note that they do not schedule appointments on Wednesdays
Historic properties and exterior changes
If your property is in a locally designated historic district or is an individually designated historic property, exterior changes may require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) through Milwaukee’s Historic Preservation Commission before permits move forward
This most commonly affects work like windows, doors, siding, masonry, porches, visible exterior alterations, and some signage
Public right of way rules, sidewalks, driveways, and dumpsters
Projects that impact the street, sidewalk, or alley can require separate approvals.
Dumpsters in the public way (street, sidewalk, or alley) require a permit through the Permit and Development Center, and Milwaukee publishes placement rules and seasonal restrictions
Driveway apron or sidewalk work in the City right of way requires a City permit application through the Public Works form, and the form notes that a Sidewalk Builders License is required for that permit type
Seasonal Services
and City Notices
Bay View is part of the City of Milwaukee, so seasonal rules and service changes are driven by City DPW operations. This section helps you check the official updates that can affect street access, parking, snow response, street sweeping, construction detours, and holiday collection changes.
Snow operations and winter service status
Milwaukee posts a live Snow and Ice Control Operations status page, this is the fastest way to confirm whether a snow emergency is active and what winter parking rules are in effect
During major storms, DPW may prioritize plowing and response work, which can also impact garbage and recycling timing in some areas
Winter parking rules and snow emergencies
Milwaukee’s residential streets commonly follow alternate side parking rules overnight, and snow emergencies can extend or tighten restrictions
Before a winter appointment, it is smart to check the parking rules for that night, especially if you rely on street parking for access, staging, or deliveries
Construction, road closings, and traffic restrictions
DPW posts active street closures and traffic restrictions, this is useful if you are coordinating a delivery, planning staging, or trying to avoid detours
The DPW Projects map is also helpful for seeing planned and in progress infrastructure work near your neighborhood
Street and alley sweeping, seasonal timing
Milwaukee’s street sweeping frequency varies by area, and sweeping runs seasonally, this can affect curb access and when you should move vehicles
In fall, sweepers may be paired with leaf rakes to consolidate small leaf piles, so if you are planning exterior cleanup, it helps to time it around sweeping activity when possible
Holiday collection changes
Garbage and recycling schedules can shift after City holidays, your address based schedule is the most accurate source, especially around major holidays and winter service disruptions
If you want reminders without checking manually, the City schedule tool also supports email and text notifications tied to your address
Community and
Local Information
This section is a quick hub for Bay View community resources, City meeting calendars, and local contacts that homeowners and property managers commonly use, especially when planning projects that affect street access, parking, or neighborhood timing.
City contacts and service requests
For most City questions, missed services, reporting issues, or routing to the right department, start with Milwaukee’s main service hub
If you need to submit a request online, use the DPW Services portal for reports and service requests
City meetings, agendas, and local decisions
Use Milwaukee’s Meeting and Events Calendar to see official City meetings and public events in one place
For detailed meeting agendas, minutes, and committee calendars, use Milwaukee’s Legistar calendar system
If you want to watch meetings live or view replays, Milwaukee streams through City Channel 25 online
Bay View neighborhood events and community updates
The Bay View Neighborhood Association posts local events and community activities, this is useful for avoiding high traffic times near popular event areas
If you are planning a delivery, staging, or street parking heavy project, check the neighborhood calendar close to your target date
Library programs and local events
The Bay View Branch Library is a consistent source for community programs, workshops, and local events
Milwaukee Public Library’s events calendar lets you filter by location, including Bay View
Public safety and non emergency help
For non emergency police questions or issues, start with Milwaukee Police Department district resources and the City’s main service hub
For emergencies, call 911