Handyman Services
in whitefish bay, WI
Elmbrook Handyman serves homeowners and property managers in Whitefish Bay with professional home repair, maintenance, and improvement work that helps keep properties safe, functional, and looking their best. If you are working through a punch list, prepping a property for move in, or tackling a set of overdue fixes, the goal is to make the process straightforward with clear communication and quality workmanship. This page also includes a local homeowner resource hub for Whitefish Bay so residents can quickly reference permits, collection services, seasonal notices, and community links in one place.
View Homeowner Resources Below
whitefish bay Homeowner Resources
This section is built to reduce the time it takes to find answers for common homeowner questions in Whitefish Bay, using official local resources so you can verify details when needed. If you are planning a project, start with the permits and home improvement guidelines block so you can confirm what approvals may be required before work begins, where to find applications, and who to contact with questions. For weekly property upkeep, the garbage and recycling blocks are meant to help you quickly confirm your collection setup, basic rules that commonly cause missed pickup, and where to check the official schedule or updates when something changes.
For outdoor cleanup and seasonal property maintenance, the yard waste and seasonal pickups block helps you understand the local options for brush, leaves, and seasonal drop offs, so you do not waste time preparing materials the wrong way. The seasonal services and city notices block is where you can check time sensitive updates that affect scheduling throughout the year, like winter operations, parking notices, holiday related service changes, and other official alerts. The final community and local information block includes the core official links residents commonly need, such as Village contacts, department pages, and public information tools.
Garbage, recycling, and yard waste collection
Garbage Collection
Who provides garbage service in Whitefish Bay
Residential refuse collection is handled through the Village of Whitefish Bay automated refuse and recycling program.
How often garbage is picked up
Refuse is collected weekly
Your refuse day stays the same week to week, and it matches your recycling day
Set out time, and when carts can be at the curb
Have your refuse cart to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on your pickup day
Carts may be placed out after 6:00 p.m. the day before pickup
Carts must be returned to storage by 8:00 p.m. on pickup day
Cart placement rules that prevent missed pickup
Use these rules every pickup day, they are the most common reasons carts get skipped:
Use Village carts only, refuse goes in the gray refuse cart
Place carts on the parkway, driveway apron, or outside alley garage, with the lid closed
Cart should open toward the street or alley, with the handle toward the house
Keep carts within 3 feet of the curb, and at least 3 feet apart from other carts and obstructions (cars, trees, poles, etc.)
Put all household waste inside the cart, do not set loose bags next to the cart unless it qualifies as a scheduled special pickup
Route day, how to confirm your pickup day
Whitefish Bay routes are shown on the official route map. Use it to confirm which day your address is collected, and which A or B recycling route your home is on.
Special pickups, what you can set out and when it costs extra
Whitefish Bay provides both free and paid special pickups, these are the key homeowner rules:
Free structural item pickup, for non domestic structural items that cannot fit in the cart (example, a chair), up to 4 ft x 4 ft x 7 ft
You do not need to call it in
Place the item next to the gray refuse cart on your normal collection day, keep 3 feet between the item and the cart
Paid special pickup, base fee $45, for items like larger non domestic waste, domestic waste outside the cart (bags), and other approved special pickups
Payment is submitted to Village Hall (in person, mail, or drop box), and scheduling requires at least 24 hour notice
Oversized loads beyond the listed size limits can be billed at $45 plus based on time and assessed charges
Items that are not allowed in carts
The Village lists specific items that are not permitted in refuse or recycling carts, including:
Grass clippings
Contractor waste
Styrofoam peanuts
Paint is also restricted, only dried latex paint can go out, and the Village requires the lid be removed, with the dried cans set next to the gray refuse cart (all other paint and hazardous materials must go to approved hazardous waste options).
Need an extra cart
Additional refuse carts can be purchased through the Village using the official order form.
Recycling Collection
Who provides recycling service in Whitefish Bay
Residential recycling is handled through the Village of Whitefish Bay automated refuse and recycling program.
How often recycling is collected
Recycling is collected every other week
Your recycling pickup day is the same day as your weekly garbage pickup day
Whitefish Bay uses an A week and B week schedule, your route determines which weeks you are collected
How to confirm your route and recycling week
Use these two tools together:
Route map, confirms your collection day and whether you are on Route A or Route B
Recycling calendar, shows which weeks are A week versus B week so you know exactly when to set out the blue cart
Set out time and when carts can be at the curb
Have your recycling cart to the curb by 7:00 a.m. on pickup day
Carts may be placed out after 6:00 p.m. the day before pickup
Carts must be returned to storage by 8:00 p.m. on pickup day
Cart placement rules that prevent missed pickup
Follow these every pickup, they are the most common reasons carts get skipped:
Put recycling in the blue recycling cart, lid closed
Place carts on the parkway, driveway apron, or outside alley garage
Cart should open toward the street or alley, handle toward the house
Keep carts within 3 feet of the curb
Keep carts at least 3 feet apart, and away from obstructions like cars, trees, poles, and mailboxes
Single stream recycling
Whitefish Bay uses single stream recycling, approved items go unsorted together in the blue cart.
What belongs in the blue recycling cart
Use this as the homeowner checklist. Items should be empty, and rinsed when needed, to reduce contamination.
Common accepted categories
Glass bottles and jars
Metal cans, aluminum and steel
Plastic bottles and containers
Paper like newspaper, office paper, mail, magazines
Cardboard and paperboard, flattened when possible
Food and beverage cartons, when empty
Prep rules that matter
Put items loose in the cart, do not bag recyclables
Keep the lid closed, do not stack items on top
Empty containers, no liquids, no food residue
Do not put these in the recycling cart
These are common contaminants and problem items:
Plastic bags and plastic film
Styrofoam and foam packaging
Food waste and liquids
Batteries, electronics, or hazardous materials
Construction and remodeling debris
If an item is not clearly listed as accepted in the Village recycling guidelines, confirm before setting it out.
Need an extra cart or replacement
If you need an additional or replacement recycling cart, the Village provides an official order form.
Yard Waste Collection
What counts as yard waste in Whitefish Bay
Yard waste is meant for typical lawn and garden cleanup like garden plants, flowers, small plant debris, tiny branches, and thatch. The Village does not treat yard waste the same as leaves or brush during fall collection, and it does not accept certain materials through this program.
Items not allowed in yard waste pickup
These are the most common issues that lead to non collection:
No grass clippings, the Village crews cannot take them, and the disposal site will not accept them
No plastic bags
No contractor waste, including landscaping or construction debris created by a contractor, it will be tagged and not collected
No dirt, rocks, or other heavy materials mixed into yard waste
How to set out yard waste correctly
Place yard waste between the curb and sidewalk
Use sturdy paper yard waste bags or reusable containers that can be emptied
Container size must be 30 gallons or less
Individual bags or containers must be 50 lbs or less, heavier items will not be collected
Put yard waste out by 7:00 a.m. on pickup day
Do not set out earlier than 8:00 p.m. the night before pickup
If your refuse and recycling carts are at the curb, keep your yard waste bags and containers at least 3 feet away from the carts so crews can collect everything safely
When yard waste is collected
The Village provides yard waste pickup weekly between April and November
Yard waste is collected on your normal refuse and recycling pickup day
The Village notes the schedule may shift on holiday weeks or due to operational factors, so checking official updates is important if you are planning a large cleanup
Volume limits and special pickup fees
For typical weekly cleanup, the Village’s solid waste guidelines list these standard thresholds:
Up to 25 yard waste bags per pickup, standard service
26 to 50 yard waste bags, special pickup fee typically applies
More than 50 yard waste bags, higher special pickup fees may apply
If you have a large amount, call the Village for the correct process before setting it out, since a special pickup may be required.
Brush and branch chipping, separate from yard waste
Brush and branches follow different rules than yard waste bags:
Place chipping material in the parkway between the curb and sidewalk
Do not block the sidewalk, and do not place brush in the street
The Village typically begins collecting and chipping branches the second week of April, and notes there is no set schedule for branch collection
If your brush pile is larger than 5 ft x 7 ft x 20 ft, it requires a scheduled special pickup, the minimum charge is $45
Fall leaf season and how it changes the rules
During fall leaf collection, the Village uses a different method than bag pickup:
Leaf collection typically begins in mid October, weather permitting
Collection is typically weekly, but the Village notes there is no specific collection schedule because it depends on crews and leaf volume
During fall leaf collection, residents are asked not to use leaf collection bags
Residents can place leaves and small yard debris directly in the roadway near the curb
Keep leaf piles away from storm inlets, leaf decay can clog storm sewers and add unwanted material to Lake Michigan
Do not mix branches, sticks, or woody material into leaf piles, place woody material on the parkway for chipping instead
The Village typically runs yard waste crews to pick up leaves until the first significant snowfall or through the first week in December
Official City Resources:
Chipping, Leaf, and Yard Waste Collection
Permits and Home Improvement Guidelines
Start here before any work begins
Whitefish Bay requires permits for many common home improvement projects. The Village is clear that a permit must be applied for and issued before work starts, and if work begins without the required permits the Village states it can result in a four times permit fee. If you are unsure whether your project needs a permit, it is worth confirming first, it can save time and avoid expensive rework.
Owner responsibility, who pulls the permit
The Village states the property owner or the owner’s delegated agent is responsible for obtaining the correct permits, and the property owner is responsible for work performed on the property. If you are hiring a contractor, confirm up front who is submitting the application and who will be listed on the permit.
Common projects that typically require a permit in Whitefish Bay
Whitefish Bay publishes an official “Do I Need a Permit” guide with common projects. These are some homeowner examples that are commonly permit related:
Additions, remodels, basement or attic finishes, and structural changes
Decks and porches, often building plus zoning approval
Fences and retaining walls, fence permit required
Roofing replacement or tear offs, roofing permit required (uses the Building Permit Application)
Plumbing work (new, remodel, replacement), plumbing permit required
Electrical work, electrical permit required, including items like car chargers and generators
HVAC work (furnace, boiler, heat pump, ductwork), HVAC permit required, and some projects also require electrical
Right of way work, driveway aprons or work in the public right of way requires a right of way permit
Demolition or raze, demolition permit required
Pools, spas, and hot tubs, building and electrical permits required, and additional review may apply depending on scope
Because requirements can vary based on scope, exterior changes, and location, use the official Village permit list as your first checkpoint.
Additional reviews that may apply
For certain projects, the Village notes that additional approvals may be required, for example architectural or development related review for certain exterior or commercial projects. If your work changes the exterior appearance, footprint, or site layout, confirm early so you do not lose time waiting for approvals after materials are ordered.
How to apply, what you will typically need ready
Permits are handled through the Village Building Services Department and their permit forms. For a smoother application process, have these ready:
Property address and basic project description
Contractor information (if applicable)
The most relevant permit form, for example building, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, or fence
Any supporting plans or measurements that the permit form requests
Inspections, scheduling rules that matter
Most permitted work will require inspections. Whitefish Bay’s Building Services team notes:
Schedule inspections by calling office staff Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Allow up to 48 hours for inspections to be scheduled
Published inspection windows include 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
If you cannot be present, inspectors can enter via lock box or open door, pets must be secured
Do not schedule an inspection if only a minor would be present
Best practice if you are not sure
If your project is not clearly listed, call Building Services first and confirm the correct permit type. This is especially important for projects that combine multiple trades, like a bathroom remodel that may involve building, plumbing, electrical, and ventilation.
Seasonal services and city notices
Whitefish Bay posts seasonal updates, service changes, and urgent notices in a few official places. Checking the right tool saves time, especially during winter weather, holiday weeks, or when schedules change without a lot of notice.
Where to check first when something changes
News Flash, best for general updates like Village Hall closures, seasonal collection updates, and public works announcements.
Alert Center, best for time sensitive notices and emergencies, when something needs immediate attention.
Notify Me, best if you want notices pushed to you by email or text, including specific lists like Snow Emergency Notices.
Winter parking and snow related notices
Winter overnight parking period, the Village posts seasonal parking rules as a News Flash item, including the winter window and alternate side requirements.
Overnight parking window, overnight parking is prohibited between 3:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. without a permit or permission.
Alternate side even or odd parking during winter, vehicles should park on the even numbered side of the street with an even calendar date before midnight, and on the odd numbered side of the street with an odd calendar date before midnight (unless an exemption applies).
Free nightly permissions, each license plate receives 25 free parking nights per calendar year, and requests are limited to 5 nights per submission.
Monthly overnight permits, permits are available for Whitefish Bay residents, cost $30 per month (or $15 if purchased after the 15th of the month), and vehicles must still be moved once every 24 hours.
Snow emergency notifications, the fastest way to catch snow emergency announcements is to subscribe through Notify Me and select the Snow Emergency Notices list.
Snow removal expectations that impact daily routines
Sidewalk clearing, residents are responsible for clearing snow and ice from the public sidewalk adjacent to their property, and snow must be removed within 24 hours after snow has ceased to fall.
Do not push snow into the street or alley, village ordinance prohibits pushing, piling, blowing, or shoveling snow onto the public street and alley.
Cart placement during snow, carts should still be placed within about 3 feet of the curb or alley edge and spaced away from obstructions, during snow events the Village encourages using a cleared driveway apron or a cleared portion of the parkway, and carts should not be placed in the street since it can interfere with plowing and automated pickup.
What the Village plows first, main thoroughfares are plowed first, then streets adjacent to schools, then residential streets and alleys, driveway approaches may get snow pushed back in during plowing, that is a normal part of street clearing.
Salt policy context, Whitefish Bay notes a low salt approach and limited salting on secondary streets, mainly at intersections, due to storage limits and environmental concerns.
Best way to stay ahead without checking daily
Use Notify Me to subscribe to the specific topics you care about (snow emergencies, news), and use News Flash for the most current public updates when you need the details.
Community and local information
This block pulls together the official Whitefish Bay tools residents use most, so you can quickly find the right department, confirm local rules, pay bills, and look up public information without digging through multiple pages.
Village Hall, main contact and hours
If you are not sure which department handles your question, start with Village Hall. The Village lists its main office location at 5300 N. Marlborough Dr., Whitefish Bay, WI 53217, with standard hours Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The main phone number routes you to the right department quickly.
Find the right department fast
Use the Village Staff Directory for direct department contacts, including Administration, Building Services, Finance, Public Works and Engineering, Police, Municipal Court, and the Library. This is the fastest way to avoid being bounced between offices.
Pay bills, taxes, citations, and common fees online
Whitefish Bay provides a central Online Payments hub for the most common resident payments, including:
Utility bills, water and sewer billing, online pay options, and automatic payment info
Property tax payments, current year payment options and the online payment portal link
Citations, including parking, municipal, and traffic related payments
If you are paying a time sensitive bill, use the Village’s official payment pages to confirm fees and processing methods before submitting.
Meetings, agendas, and minutes
For Village Board and committee meeting agendas, minutes, and packets, use the Agenda Center. It is the most reliable place to confirm meeting dates, what is being discussed, and where decisions are being made that may affect homeowners.
Local ordinances and common rule checks
For homeowner rule verification, use the Village Code and Ordinances site. This is where you confirm what is currently in effect, especially for property related questions, nuisance rules, parking restrictions, snow related requirements, and zoning topics. For quick, plain language examples, the Village also publishes a “Common Ordinance Violations” page that helps residents understand what triggers complaints and enforcement.
Maps and property lookup tools
Whitefish Bay publishes a Village Maps page with commonly used PDFs, including street, ward, zoning, and parcel maps. If you need a more interactive property lookup, the Village also provides a GIS and land information viewer for reference purposes.
Library and school district information
The Village Library page links to Whitefish Bay Public Library resources and updates. For school district information, calendars, and district communications, use the Whitefish Bay School District website as the official source.