If you spot a pothole on your daily commute, reporting it might seem straightforward. But on Long Island, figuring out who to call can be anything but simple.

From Nassau to Suffolk, potholes dot roads of every size — from major thoroughfares to quiet neighborhood streets. Yet the responsibility for repairing them isn't centralized, leaving many residents unsure where to turn.

The confusion stems from the region's layered system of government. Depending on the location, a road may be maintained by the state, county, town or village. Contact the wrong agency, and you'll likely be redirected elsewhere.

"We have such a multiplicity of jurisdictions — who you gonna call?" said Lawrence Levy of Hofstra University's National Center for Suburban Studies.

Levy explained that Long Island's structure, with multiple levels of government, is deeply rooted in its history. Many residents value the local control it provides, but that structure can also slow down simple fixes.

"That may be great for some reasons," Levy said, "but when it comes to getting something done, you never know who you can call. You can go to village hall and they say, 'No, that's a town road.'"

There are tools available to help residents navigate the system. Nassau County offers an online resource that allows users to quickly identify which agency is responsible for a given road. Suffolk County provides a similar map, and its 311 service can also direct callers to the appropriate authority.