Report a problem or file a complaint
On this page (10 sections)
- Weeds, junk and other property problems (code enforcement)
- Streets, sidewalks, signs and street lights
- Water and sewer problems
- Garbage and recycling
- Police, not an emergency
- A complaint about a police officer
- County roads outside city limits
- A complaint about how a city or county office is run
- What to put in your report
- Sources cited on this page
Something is wrong on your street or next door. This page tells you which office to contact, how to reach it, and what to say. This is an unofficial guide. If we differ, the city's own pages are right.
In an emergency, call 911 Verified1.
| Problem | Who to contact |
|---|---|
| Weeds, junk, abandoned cars, unsafe housing | Code Enforcement, (530) 473-2533 |
| Potholes, sidewalks, signs, street lights | Public Works, (530) 473-2519 |
| Water pressure or taste, plugged sewer | Public Works, (530) 473-2519 |
| Missing garbage or recycling can | NorCal Waste, (530) 473-3282 |
| Police, not an emergency | Williams Police, (530) 473-2661 |
| County roads outside the city | Colusa County Public Works, (530) 458-0466 |
Weeds, junk and other property problems (code enforcement)
Code Enforcement handles nuisances on private property. The city lists abandoned vehicles, weeds and other fire hazards, rubbish and debris, livestock, and substandard (unsafe) housing Verified2.
- Call: the Police Services Division at (530) 473-2533, Monday through Thursday.
- Go in person: Williams Police Department, 700 North Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
- Email: info@williamspd.net.
- App: the city's Nuisance Abatement page has a QR code for the Police Department's mobile app.
Online: the city's page says you can file a complaint online. We could not find the online form on that page, so this is not confirmed Unverified2.
Streets, sidewalks, signs and street lights
Public Works takes care of city streets, street trees, traffic systems and parks Verified6. Call Public Works at (530) 473-2519 about:
- a pothole on a city street
- a broken sidewalk next to city property (other sidewalks may be the owner's job)
- a missing or damaged street sign
- a street light or traffic signal that is out. Public Works contacts PG&E, so give the exact location.
- a flooded storm drain
- street tree trimming or park upkeep
- dust from a construction site
Source: Verified3
Other ways to reach Public Works: dpw@cityofwilliams.org, or the office at 735 7th Street. The Public Works contact page lists (530) 473-2955 Ext. 801 and has a web form. The city's directory lists (530) 235-3270 Ext. 801 Verified78.
Water and sewer problems
- Low water pressure, bad taste, or a plugged sewer main: call Public Works at (530) 473-2519. The sewer line from the main to a home is the owner's job Verified3.
- A question about your water bill: email aramirez@cityofwilliams.org or leave a voicemail at (530) 235-3274 Verified9.
Garbage and recycling
- Missing garbage can or recycling bin: call NorCal Waste at (530) 473-3282.
- Too much trash for your can: the Colusa County transfer station in Maxwell, (530) 438-2622.
Source: Verified3
Police, not an emergency
Williams Police Department, 700 North Street. Call (530) 473-2661 or email info@williamspd.net. The police Contact Us page also has a web form Verified4.
A complaint about a police officer
State law says every police department must have a way to look into complaints from the public. It must also give the public a written description of how it works (Penal Code §832.5) Verified10. When we checked on October 29, 2026, the city's police pages did not post a complaint form or that written description Verified11. Ask the department for it at (530) 473-2661 or info@williamspd.net Verified4.
County roads outside city limits
The Colusa County Road Department takes care of county roads outside city limits. Report a problem with the county's online Road Maintenance Request Form (you need to sign up first) or call County Public Works at (530) 458-0466. The county's Williams yard is at 5714 E Street, (530) 473-5301 Verified1.
A complaint about how a city or county office is run
- The Colusa County Grand Jury page links a complaint form Verified12.
- You can also speak to the City Council during public comment. See how to speak.
What to put in your report
The city asks for two things Verified25:
- The exact location or address.
- A complete description of the problem.
Our tips (not from the city): write down the date and time you reported it and who you talked to. Keep a copy of any email. Call again if nothing changes.
See also: Get it done for city phones, forms and permits, and Who decides? to find who makes the rules behind a problem.
Sources cited on this page
- Road Department Read Oct 30, 2026. Maintains about 750 miles of county roads in the unincorporated areas. Report a road problem with the online Road Maintenance Request Form (Request Tracker, needs an account) or call Public Works at (530) 458-0466; call 911 for emergencies. Williams Yard: 5714 E Street, (530) 473-5301. ↗
- Code Enforcement page (Police Services Division) Read Oct 30, 2026. Nuisances include abandoned vehicles, weeds and other fire hazards, rubbish and debris, livestock and substandard housing. To report: "you may file a complaint on-line, or call the Police Services Division at 530-473-2533, Monday through Thursday, or stop by the Williams Police Department at 700 North Street, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m." It asks for "the exact location or address, and a complete description of the violation." We found no online complaint link on the page. ↗
- Public Works FAQs Read Oct 30, 2026. Call (530) 473-2519 about potholes on City streets, broken sidewalks next to City property, a plugged sewer main (the line from the main to the home is the owner's), missing or damaged street signs, street lights and signals (Public Works contacts PG&E; give the location), storm drain flooding, water pressure or taste, construction dust, street tree trimming and park upkeep. Missing garbage or recycling cans: NorCal Waste, (530) 473-3282. Extra trash: the Colusa County transfer station in Maxwell, (530) 438-2622. ↗
- Police Department: Contact Us Read Oct 30, 2026. Williams Police Department, 700 North Street; phone (530) 473-2661; fax (530) 473-3488; info@williamspd.net; the page also has a web message form. ↗
- Nuisance Abatement page Read Oct 30, 2026. Report a nuisance through the Police Department mobile app (QR code on the page), by calling (530) 473-2533, by email to info@williamspd.net, or in person at the Police Department. Give the exact location and a description. ↗
- Public Works Department page Read Oct 30, 2026. Public Works maintains streets, street trees, traffic systems, parks, City buildings and graffiti removal, and runs the water system, the wastewater plant, sewer and storm drainage. ↗
- Public Works: Contact Us Read Oct 30, 2026. Public Works, 735 7th Street; phone (530) 473-2955 Ext. 801; dpw@cityofwilliams.org; the page also has a web message form. (The city directory lists (530) 235-3270 Ext. 801 for the same office.) ↗
- Contact Us (department directory) Department phones and addresses: City Hall 810 E Street, main line (530) 473-2955; City Clerk (530) 235-3274; Building 460 8th Street (530) 235-3276; Planning & Zoning and Business Licenses 460 8th Street (530) 235-3279; Finance and water payments 464 8th Street, Finance Director (530) 235-3271; City Manager 810 E Street (530) 235-3275; Human Resources (530) 235-3273; Parks & Recreation 810 E Street (530) 235-3277; Public Works 735 7th Street (530) 235-3270 Ext. 801, dpw@cityofwilliams.org; Police (530) 473-2661; Code Enforcement 700 North Street (530) 473-2533; Fire (530) 473-2269. City Hall hours on this page: Monday to Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., closed Fridays (other city pages differ). ↗
- Utilities page (start, stop, billing) Start service with an Application for Service (owners provide a recorded deed); stop service by calling Customer Service at (530) 235-3274 for a Discontinuance of Service form; billing questions by email to aramirez@cityofwilliams.org or voicemail at (530) 235-3274. Links the 2026 rates and the shut-off policy (English and Spanish). The Utility Rates text says revenues "will be used to ensure the City can meet State and Federal water quality laws, and construct, repair, maintain and properly operate water supply infrastructure," and that on January 21, 2026 the Council adopted water rate adjustments for 2026 to 2030 (re-read Nov 10, 2026). ↗
- Penal Code §832.5 (police complaint procedures and records) Official text read directly on Oct 29, 2026. Subd. (a)(1): every department employing peace officers must establish a procedure to investigate public complaints and make a written description available to the public. Subd. (b): complaints and related reports are kept at least 5 years, or at least 15 years with a sustained finding of misconduct. ↗
- Police Department web pages (home, contact, public records) Checked Oct 29, 2026: the police home page, Contact Us, Public Records pages and the city's Forms & Permits page (how_do_i/forms_permits.php) did not post a citizen complaint form or written complaint procedure. ↗
- Grand Jury page (reports and posted responses) As of Oct 29, 2026 it lists responses for 2025-2026 from the Board of Supervisors, CCOE, the Williams City Council and Council Member John Troughton; none from the Williams City Manager or City Attorney. It also links a complaint form. ↗
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