Spot a Pothole? There’s a New Map for That! Billings Launches “Citizen Problem Reporter”

We all know that living in Billings comes with a lot of perks, but it also comes with its fair share of everyday headaches, like that sneaky pothole on Grand Avenue, a street lamp that’s been flickering out on the West End, or a missed garbage pickup during a busy week.

The City of Billings has something called the Citizen Problem Reporter, an interactive online map designed to cut through the red tape and connect us directly with the folks in Public Works who can fix it.

How It Works (Spoiler: It’s Super Easy)

Instead of playing phone tag or trying to figure out which specific city department handles what, you can just hop online. The new tool lets you:

Pinpoint the exact location: No more trying to explain exactly which intersection or block you’re talking about. Just drop a pin on the map.

Snap and share: You can upload a photo of the issue so the city crews know exactly what they’re dealing with before they even arrive.

Track the progress: Wondering if anyone actually looked at your report? The tool lets you track the status of your request and see updates.

See what’s already reported: You can check the map to see if your neighbors have already reported that clogged storm drain, saving you from submitting a duplicate.

What Can You Report?

Pretty much any non-emergency Public Works issue you run across on your daily commute or neighborhood walk. The categories include:

• Potholes, bumpy pavement, and sidewalk/ADA issues
• Garbage and recycling hiccups
• Streetlights out or traffic signals acting up
• Sewer, stormwater, drainage, and water service issues
• Snow and ice concerns (when winter inevitably rolls back around!)

Why This is a Win for Billings

Aside from saving us all a phone call, this tool is designed to help the City respond faster. By getting accurate locations and photos directly from us, Public Works can organize their crews better, prioritize the biggest problem areas, and avoid duplicate work orders. In short, it helps them help us faster.

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Ready to try it?

Bookmark this link on your phone or computer so you have it handy the next time you spot something that needs a little TLC: Billings Citizen Problem Reporter Tool.

Note: Just remember, this map is strictly for non-emergency issues. If you run into an actual emergency or a major public safety hazard, skip the map and call 911 right away.