Frequently Asked Questions

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

1.  What are the office hours for the Village?

2.  I’m having a problem with Comcast Cable.  Who can I contact to resolve an issue?

3.  Who is the contact for my garbage Service?

4.  Is recycling mandatory in Lake in the Hills?

5.  Can I park my vehicle on the street overnight?

6.  I never received my water bill.

7.  Why is my water bill so high?

8.  Where does the money I pay on my water bill go?

9.  Do I need a water softener?

10. What is the Main Replacement Fee for?
11. How can I stop solicitors from ringing my doorbell?

12. Are there regulations concerning the number of animals permitted in a private residence?

13. What are the regulations concerning dog litter?

14. What are the regulations concerning mailboxes?

15. Why is the snow plowed back into my driveway after I've shoveled?
16. Who should clear sidewalks of snow and ice?
17. Am I allowed to burn in the Village?

18. I would like to have a garage sale, what do I need to do and how much does it cost?

19. Do I need a building permit?

20. Can I register to vote at Village Hall?

 

 

1.  Q: What are the office hours for the Village? 

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.

 

 

 

2.  Q: I’m having a problem with Comcast Cable.  Who can I contact to resolve an issue? 

Occasionally, residents have issues that have gone unresolved through making contact with Comcast directly.  As the local franchise authority for Comcast, the Village is able to escalate some of these resident concerns to the appropriate individuals at Comcast for a resolution.  The Village is unable to take concerns related to pricing, programming or internet services.  Click here if you would like to fill out an incident escalation report or call (847) 960-7412.

 

 

 

3. Q: Who is the contact for my garbage Service?

Allied Waste is the franchised waste hauler for the Village.  Refuse, recycling and landscape waste are all collected on the same day, once per week.  To begin service please contact ARC at (847) 429-7370. Landscape waste (grass, leaves and branches up to 3.5 inches in diameter) is picked up on your normal refuse day April through November.  Collection of materials is between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.  Landscape waste must be placed in biodegradable paper bags (yard bags, etc...) or in standard 34-gallon waste containers.  Sod is not accepted.  Containers must be used for yard waste only and must clearly display a “YARD WASTE ONLY” decal.  Decals are available at Village Hall at no charge.  Containers must not exceed 34 gallons. 

 

 

 

4.  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, residents can call (815) 455-8697 or stop by Village Hall or the Public Works facility.  The recycling directory is also available for download using the links below:

 

Residential Recycling Directory

 

Business Recycling Directory

 

 

 

5.  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.

 

 

 

6. Q: I never received my water bill.
A: 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.  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.

 

 

 

7. 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.

 

 

 

8. 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 additional wells, iron removal systems, a water softener and replace water mains in the Village.

 

 

 

9. 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).  It is suggested to try the water without a softener before going out to purchase one.  If you do decide to install a water softener, a buildilng permit is required (Refer to question 19 above). Click here for more facts on hard water.

 

 

 

10. 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, as well as allows for the installation of additional fire hydrants for fire protection and water quality assurance purposes.

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

12. 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.

 

 

 

13. 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.

 

 

 

14. Q: What are the regulations concerning mailboxes?

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 is damaged by Village equipment, please contact the Public Works Department at 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.

 

 

 

15.  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.

 

 

 

16. 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**

 

 

 

17.  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.

 

 

 

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

A:  First, 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 3 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.  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.

 

 

 

19.  Q:  Do I need a building permit?

A:  Click here for building permit information.

 

 

 

20.  Q:  Can I register to vote at Village Hall?

A:  The Village has three Deputy Registrar's on staff that can accept voter registrations from McHenry County residents, provided they bring in two forms of ID, with at least one having their 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.