Austin experienced a year filled with challenges and changes in 2025, as the city sought to reinvent itself amidst various controversies. Efforts to implement a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing city services and increasing taxes faced significant backlash. However, one aspect remained consistent: residents continued to voice their concerns through the city’s 311 service.
Throughout the year, the 311 system managed to handle a staggering number of requests. As of December 10, the service had recorded a total of 285,185 inquiries, according to data from the city’s online portal. While 311 serves as a general hub for city requests, it has increasingly become a channel for non-emergency police calls, which are not included in this data set due to the Austin Police Department’s ongoing staffing challenges.
In terms of typical issues reported by residents, requests varied widely, covering everything from potholes to wildlife concerns. Notably, trash-related complaints made up a significant portion of the calls, with 67,191 requests pertaining to garbage issues. This category encompassed 23,753 requests for regular trash pickup, 12,473 for bulk item pickup, 11,684 for recycling collection, and 13,219 related to compost disposal. Additionally, 6,242 calls were made regarding the removal of dead animals.
Noisy neighbors were another common source of frustration, with the city receiving 22,307 noise complaints throughout the year. Among these, 2,278 calls specifically addressed loud music emanating from nearby venues, clubs, or bars.
Coyote sightings remained a topic of discussion in 2025, though reports declined compared to the previous year. Nearly 400 individuals reported seeing a coyote, a significant decrease from the 644 sightings in 2024.
Parking issues also continued to be a concern for residents, with just over 18,000 complaints regarding illegal parking, and 9,508 requests for towing services. Furthermore, city personnel fielded 23,684 calls related to animal protection services, addressing a range of issues from stray pets to injured wildlife. Complaints about animal bites saw a slight increase, with 2,153 reports filed this year.
In 2025, new regulations for short-term rentals were introduced, though their impact remains to be fully assessed. The year saw a reduction in complaints to 311 about short-term rentals, with 881 calls compared to 1,009 in 2024.
Concerns regarding rentable scooters and bikes were also prevalent, with a total of 1,488 complaints lodged. Additionally, reports about potholes saw a small decline, with residents reaching out 2,896 times regarding road conditions, approximately 300 fewer than in the previous year.
