Durham One Call handles most city requests: 919-560-1200. Police non-emergency: 919-560-4600. Mayor Leonardo Williams: 919-560-4333. Council by ward inside.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Names and numbers come from the City of Durham’s City Council page and staff directory, and department pages linked below. City Hall is at 101 City Hall Plaza, Durham, NC 27701.
Start with Durham One Call. Most city requests, from a missed trash pickup to a water bill, a pothole or an overgrown lot, go through one number: 919-560-1200, in English or Spanish, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Emergencies go to 911.
The numbers most people need
- Durham One Call: 919-560-1200; text 919-813-6315; online request
- Police, fire, EMS emergency: 911
- Non-emergency (Durham Emergency Communications Center): 919-560-4600
- Water service after hours: 919-560-4344
- City Council: 919-560-4396, citycouncilonly@durhamnc.gov
Mayor and City Council
Council has seven members: the mayor, three members elected from wards and three at large, in nonpartisan elections every two years. Find your ward on the city’s ward map.
| Seat | Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Leonardo Williams | 919-560-4333 | Leonardo.Williams@durhamnc.gov |
| At large, mayor pro tempore | Javiera Caballero | 919-560-4396 | Javiera.Caballero@durhamnc.gov |
| At large | Nate Baker | 919-560-4396 | Nate.Baker@durhamnc.gov |
| At large | Carl Rist | 919-560-4396 | carl.rist@durhamnc.gov |
| Ward 1 | Matt Kopac | 919-560-4396 | Matt.Kopac@durhamnc.gov |
| Ward 2 | Shanetta Burris | 919-560-4396 | Shanetta.Burris@durhamnc.gov |
| Ward 3 | Chelsea Cook | 919-560-4396 | Chelsea.Cook@durhamnc.gov |
Council’s regular business meetings are at 7 p.m. on the first and third Mondays in Council Chambers at City Hall, and on Zoom. Coming up: a joint meeting with the county commissioners and the school board on Tuesday, Oct. 13; a regular meeting Monday, Oct. 19; a work session Thursday, Oct. 22; and a regular meeting Monday, Nov. 2.
City manager and clerk
- City Manager Bo Ferguson runs day-to-day city operations, prepares the budget and carries out council policy. City Manager’s Office.
- City Clerk’s Office: 919-560-4166. Paola “Lola” Roland is acting city clerk. The office keeps council minutes and records, manages board and commission vacancies, and takes sign-ups to speak at council meetings. Contact the clerk.
Departments
| For | Call |
|---|---|
| Trash, recycling, bulky items, yard waste | Durham One Call, 919-560-1200 (trash guide) |
| Water and sewer billing; start service | Durham One Call, 919-560-1200 |
| Water emergencies after hours | 919-560-4344 |
| Potholes on city streets | Durham One Call, 919-560-1200 |
| Potholes on state roads | NCDOT Durham County maintenance, 919-477-2814 |
| Code enforcement (housing, trash and overgrowth) | Code Enforcement, 919-560-4570, 101 City Hall Plaza, Suite 0200; report through One Call |
| Building permits and inspections | Building and Safety, 919-560-4144 |
| Planning and zoning | Planning and Development, 919-560-4137 |
| Parks and recreation | Durham Parks and Recreation, 919-560-4355 |
| Fire Department offices (non-emergency) | 919-560-4242, 139 E. Morgan St. |
| Community Safety Department | 984-242-3006 |
Police and animals
- Durham Police Department: 911 for emergencies; 919-560-4600 for non-emergencies such as a burglary discovered hours later. Calls to the non-emergency line are tracked the same as 911 calls, the city says.
- Animal services in Durham are run by the Durham County Sheriff’s Office. Its Animal Services FAQ lists the office at 3005 Glenn Road, 919-560-0630, and the Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center at 919-560-0900 for urgent calls such as a wild animal inside your home. Barking dog complaints inside the city go to the police non-emergency line, 919-560-4600.
What this means for you
- Not sure who handles it? Call One Call, 919-560-1200, or text 919-813-6315.
- Want to reach your council member? Find your ward on the map, then call 919-560-4396.
- Want to speak on a consent item? Sign up by 2 p.m. the day of the meeting; the clerk’s number is 919-560-4166.
More: public notices, power outages and moving to Durham.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Durham city services phone number?
Durham One Call, 919-560-1200, takes requests for trash, water billing, potholes, code problems and most other city services, in English or Spanish, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. You can also text 919-813-6315 or use the online form.
What is the Durham police non-emergency number?
The Durham Emergency Communications Center’s non-emergency number is 919-560-4600. Call 911 for any emergency.
Who is the mayor of Durham?
Leonardo Williams is mayor; the city says he was first elected in December 2023. Javiera Caballero, an at-large council member, is mayor pro tempore.
Who is my Durham City Council member?
Durham has three ward seats and three at-large seats plus the mayor. Matt Kopac represents Ward 1, Shanetta Burris Ward 2 and Chelsea Cook Ward 3; Javiera Caballero, Nate Baker and Carl Rist serve at large. The city’s ward map shows which ward you live in.
Who do I call about a water emergency after hours in Durham?
For help with water service after hours, call 919-560-4344. Billing questions go to Durham One Call at 919-560-1200.
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