The Office of Clean and Green Initiatives has launched AlleyGators, a new initiative designed to provide residents with a dedicated process for requesting alleyway cleaning services while delivering visible results you can see, touch and feel in neighborhoods across the city.

Philadelphia’s alleyways are more than just passageways between homes and businesses. They serve as critical access routes for residents, emergency personnel, city crews, and utility providers. Many alleyways have faced challenges including illegal dumping, overgrown vegetation, accumulated debris, and other obstacles that can make them difficult to navigate and maintain.

What Are AlleyGators?

AlleyGators is part of the City of Philadelphia’s broader cleaning initiative, an effort focused on improving neighborhood cleanliness, enhancing quality of life, and delivering visible improvements in communities throughout Philadelphia. A sweeping, holistic effort that tackles chronic quality-of-life issues, including mechanical street sweeping, expanded waste collection, graffiti removal, and illegal dumping cleanup.

The program focuses on cleaning and clearing alleyways that have become difficult to maintain due to debris, vegetation overgrowth, litter accumulation, and other conditions that affect accessibility and appearance.

While the City has previously responded to alleyway cleaning requests through existing channels, AlleyGators formalizes the request process and provides residents with a dedicated way to request assistance.

Education and Involvement

The AlleyGators program works best when residents understand how the program operates and help keep their neighbors informed.

Before submitting a request, residents should know:

  • Alleyway cleaning services are seasonal and may take up to one year to complete depending on demand and available resources.
  • Each alley is limited to one cleaning per year.
  • Services are available only to Philadelphia residents.
  • Requests are limited to alleyways located within the City of Philadelphia.
  • Duplicate requests for the same alley will not be accepted within the same calendar year, regardless of how many submissions are received.
  • Residents are encouraged to inform their block captain and neighbors when a request has been submitted to help prevent duplicate requests.
  • If an alley has a locked gate, residents should provide contact information for someone with a key. Crews will attempt to make contact prior to arrival, but access must be available for services to be performed.
  • If crews cannot gain access to a locked alley or if the location is on private commercial property, services cannot be rendered.

By working together, residents and City crews can maximize the impact of the program and ensure services are delivered as efficiently as possible.

Why Alleyways Matter

Clean and accessible alleyways contribute to safer, healthier, and more connected neighborhoods.

When alleyways become obstructed by debris or overgrowth, they can create challenges for residents and potentially limit access for emergency responders and city services. Regular maintenance helps improve accessibility, supports public safety, and enhances neighborhood pride.

AlleyGators is designed to help ensure these important community spaces remain as passable and functional as possible while improving overall neighborhood appearance.

Delivering Visible Results

The AlleyGators initiative represents a proactive approach to neighborhood cleanliness. Crews work to remove debris, clear overgrowth, and restore access to alleyways that residents use every day.

The program is one of several efforts underway as part of the City’s commitment to making Philadelphia the safest, cleanest, and greenest big city in the nation.

By focusing on highly visible quality-of-life improvements, AlleyGators helps residents see the direct impact of city services within their own communities.

Important Information Before You Submit a Request

Residents should also be aware of several important program guidelines:

  • Services are provided on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Common driveways used for vehicle access to rear properties are included in the program.
  • Broken or defective alley lights should be reported through 311.
  • Downed power lines should be reported immediately to PECO.
  • Crews will not repair fences or gates and will not enter homes or knock on doors.
  • Cleaning operations may be suspended if unsafe conditions are present.
  • Submitting multiple requests will not move a location ahead in the service queue.

Take Action Today

Visit the AlleyGators request page to learn more and submit a service request:
Together, we can help keep Philadelphia's alleyways clean, accessible, and welcoming for all.