Frequently Asked Questions

The following are brief summaries of responses given to commonly asked questions from residents.  For more detailed information on these topics, please contact Village Hall at 847-960-7400.

 

Village Hall Services

 

Q:  What are the office hours for the Village? 

 

A: The Village Hall is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  On Thursday, the Village's Finance Department has extended hours and is open until 7:30 p.m.  The Public Works Department is open Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

Q:  Can I register to vote at Village Hall?

 

A:  The Village has three Deputy Registrars on staff who can accept voter registrations from McHenry County residents. Two forms of ID are required, with at least one showing a current address.  Voters must be registered 28 days prior to an election.  For more information regarding elections and voter registration, visit the McHenry County Clerk's Office.

 

Q:  How can I get a copy of Village meeting agendas and/or minutes?

 

A:  Agendas are available on the Agendas & Meetings page of the Village web site 48 hours prior to the meeting time and outline the topics that will be discussed at the meeting. Meeting minutes are approved at the next scheduled meeting and are posted within 48 hours of approval.  Click here to download the 2012 Meeting Schedule.

 

 

Garbage and Recycling

 

Q:  Who is the contact for my garbage service?

 

A:  Allied Waste is the franchised waste hauler for the Village. Questions regarding new accounts, existing accounts or collection activities should be directed to Allied Waste at (847) 429-7370.

 

Q.  When do I put trash out for collection?

 

A.  Refuse, recycling and landscape waste are all collected on a designated day, once per week, between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. by Allied Waste, the franchised waste hauler for the Village. For questions regarding specific pickup days, contact Allied Waste at (847) 429-7370 or click here for description of service and a map of pickup areas.

 

Q.  How can I dispose of electronics and/or household hazardous waste?

 

A.  Effective January 1, 2012, all electronic items are banned from all Illinois landfills and cannot be included with your residential waste or recycling pickup with Allied Waste. The McHenry County Recycling Guide lists more than 30 businesses that will help you dispose of your old electronic devices.   In addition, some retailers conduct in-store recycling programs to make disposing of old and unwanted electronic products easier. 

 

Q:  Is recycling mandatory in Lake in the Hills?

A:  Although recycling is not mandatory in Lake in the Hills, it is encouraged of our residents.  If you are interested in obtaining a recycling directory, stop by Village Hall or the Public Works facility.  The recycling directory is also available by clicking here.

 

 

Parking

 

Q:  Can I park my vehicle on the street overnight?

 

A:  According to Section 41.05, no person, firm or corporation shall allow any vehicle to be parked or remain standing on any paved portion of the street that is used by the public for the purposes of vehicular travel for a period of more than 30 minutes between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. on any day.

 

 

Water Billing

 

Q:  I never received my water bill.

A: If you have not received your water bill by the 5^th day of the month in which it is due, please call the Water Billing Division at (847) 960-7430.  Account numbers beginning with 100 thru 200 are due in March, June, September & December.  Account numbers beginning with 201 thru 213 are due in January, April, July & October.  Account numbers beginning with 301 thru 310 are due in February, May, August & November.  Business and Industrial accounts are due monthly.  The due date will usually be the 21^st of each month unless that date is a weekend or Village observed holiday in which case the due date will be the next business day after the 21^st. 

 

Q:  Why is my water bill so high?

 

A:  If you are not using water for outdoor purposes in the summer, or using a furnace humidifier in the winter, you may have leaks.  Common leaks to look for are toilets, sinks, bathtubs, furnace humidifier, hot water tanks and water heating systems.  The most common of these are toilet leaks, and are not always audible or seen.  You can check your toilets for leaks by obtaining toilet dye (available at most hardware stores) or food coloring and putting it in the tank(s) of the toilet(s). After letting the color in the tank set for about a half hour, check the bowl of the toilet.  If the color has seeped into the bowl, the toilet is leaking.  This leak test should be performed more than once if you are getting a negative result, as a toilet may be leaking at different times of the day.

 

Q:  Where does the money I pay on my water bill go?

 

A:  All monies paid to the Water Department stay in the Water Department fund. By law, money from this fund can only be used for operating expenses and improvements to the water system. Fees collected from bills as well as developers have allowed the Village to add wells, iron removal systems, a water softener and replace water mains in the Village.

 

Q:  Do I need a water softener? 

 

A:  Water softeners are a preference of users and are not required by the Village or the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). If you do decide to install a water softener, a building permit is required. Click here for more facts on hard water.

 

Q:  What is the Main Replacement Fee for?

 

A:  The Main Replacement Fee is assessed to all water accounts.  This fee is used to replace and relocate select water mains within the Village. Replacing and relocating these water mains provides greater accessibility to the water mains for service and repairs, and allows for the installation of additional fire hydrants for fire protection and water quality assurance purposes.

 

 

Door-to-Door Sales

Q:  How can I stop solicitors from ringing my doorbell?

 

A:  Section 35.05 of the Village Municipal Code states that no person shall solicit at any premises that has posted on or near its principal entrance a sign bearing the words “no trespassing,” “no peddlers” or “no solicitors.”  You may obtain a “no solicitors” weatherproof card from the Police Department at no charge.

 

 

Animals

 

Q:  Are there regulations concerning the number of animals permitted in a private residence?

 

A:  According to Chapter 14 "Dogs and Other Animals", it is unlawful to have more than four domestic animals over four months of age, or more than two such animals boarded for compensation or sale. Violating or failing to comply could result in a $50.00 to $500.00 fine.

 

Q:  What are the regulations concerning dog litter? 

 

A:  Chapter 14 of the Lake in the Hills Municipal Code states that it is unlawful for any person owning, keeping or otherwise having possession or control of a dog to walk the dog on any public place in the Village without having sufficient equipment to remove from the public place any dog litter which may be deposited by the dog. Violating or failing to comply could result in a $50.00 to $500.00 fine.

 

 

Snow Plowing Operations

 

Q.  Why doesn't the Village plow my street?

 

A:  The Village of Lake in the Hills Public Works Department clears most streets within the Village limits.  There are, however, a number of roads in the Lake in the Hills area that are the responsibility of other local government agencies.  For example, County crews plow roads such as Algonquin Road, Lakewood Road, Randall Road, and Ackman Road. The Illinois Department of Transportation is responsible for Route 31 & Route 47. There are property owner associations in the Village that have responsibility for some roadways.  If you have questions regarding a specific road, please call 847-960-7500.

 

Q:  How can I avoid snowplow damage to my mailbox?

 

A:  All residents should check the placement of their mailboxes to avoid snowplow damage. Ensure that it is securely fastened and does not protrude over the curb. If the mailbox hangs over the curb and/or into the street, it is in danger of being damaged by snow removal operations. Regulations concerning the proper height and distance from the street are set by the United States Postal Service. This placement allows for streets to be plowed from shoulder to shoulder or curb to curb, to provide for proper drainage, mailbox accessibility, to allow the street sweeper to reach the curb and to allow for future snow removal. Mailbox placement is critical to avoid snow plowing damage. The mailbox face should be 40 to 44 inches in height and 6 to 8 inches set back from the curb or edge of the street.

 

If you believe that your properly placed mailbox has been damaged by Village equipment, please contact the Public Works Department at (847) 960-7500. If the damage was caused by physical contact from Village equipment, repairs will be made. The Village cannot be responsible for improperly placed or unsecured installations.

 

Q:  Why is the snow plowed back into my driveway after I've shoveled?

 

A: The streets must be plowed shoulder to shoulder or curb to curb to provide for proper drainage, mailbox accessibility, and to allow clearance for future snow removal. The plowing of some snow onto driveway entrances cannot be avoided. This can be limited if the resident deposits the snow removed from their driveway to the right side of the driveway as you face the street.

 

Q:  Who should clear sidewalks of snow and ice?

 

A:  Sidewalks are the responsibility of the adjoining property owner to be kept clear of ice and snow. Please remember, do not deposit the snow or ice onto the roads as this creates a safety hazard as well as slowing of efforts to clear streets. **This is a ticketable offense**

 

 

Burning

Q:  Am I allowed to burn in the Village?

 

A:  According to Section 12.08 of the Municipal Code, open burning of any materials or substances is hereby prohibited within the Village limits. However, residents may apply for a Recreational Bonfire Permit at the Police Department.  A recreational bonfire is defined as a small outdoor fire, such as a campfire. No permit is required if you have a commercially produced or constructed fireplaces, portable fire pits, chimineas and patio hearths.  The following conditions apply:

• The recreational bonfire is attended by a responsible person 18 years or older, who shall have a garden hose connected to a water supply or other fire extinguishing equipment readily available for use.

• The recreational bonfire location is not less than 30 feet from any structure and adequate provisions are made to prevent fire from spreading to within 30 feet of any structure. The fire shall be maintained within a ring measuring a maximum of 3 feet in diameter made of non-combustible materials to prevent the spread of the fire.

• The recreational bonfire shall only be permitted between the hours of 5 p.m. and midnight on the date listed on the Recreational Bonfire Permit. Materials burned shall only be logs. No twigs, leaves, grass or other similar landscape waste material shall be burned.

 

 

Garage Sales

 

Q:  I would like to have a garage sale, What do I need to do and how much does it cost? 

 

A:  The Village allows residents to obtain garage sale permits only twice within a 12-month period.  Each permit can be issued for up to six consecutive calendar days or split into two adjacent weekends with three consecutive days each. The first thing to do when having a garage sale is come into Village Hall and fill out a garage sale permit application.  The fee for the permit is $5.00.  You will be given stickers that must be placed on each of the three signs that are allowed when having a garage sale.  The signs must be removed within 24 hours of the last day of the sale.  Please be advised that no signs may be attached to any telephone pole, tree or federal, state or local signal.

 

 

Permitting

 

Q:  Do I need a building permit?

 

A:  Click here for building permit information.

 

Q.  Why can't I apply and obtain a building permit on-line?

 

A:  The Community Department tries to make the permit process as easy as possible; however, we must make sure local, state, and federal regulations are being followed. You may download a building permit application at www.lith.org/AppsForms.html. We also have brochures available at www.lith.org/Permits.html to guide you through the requirements for each type of permit. You may submit your building permit application via mail; however, an original signature by the owner and applicant is required. You need to pick up your permit at Village Hall so we can provide you a copy of the approved application, a permit card to be posted on the property,  and further instructions regarding the permit including necessary inspections. Generally, permits are not issued over the counter the same day, as most need additional review and may involve larger documents that cannot be processed or reviewed on-line. At this time, we do not accept on-line payments, so you also need to pay for the permit when you pick it up.