September October Newsletter 2020
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<strong>September</strong>-<strong>October</strong><br />
City of Elgin<br />
<strong>2020</strong> <strong>Newsletter</strong><br />
Did You Know?<br />
City Code Ensures Safety and<br />
Strengthens Neighborhoods<br />
Elgin’s muncipal code provides regulations to address life safety<br />
concerns as well as regulations for things like property maintenance,<br />
accessibility, public health and sanitation, animal welfare, vehicles<br />
and parking, and plumbing, mechanical and building standards.<br />
The Code Compliance Division<br />
of Elgin’s Neighborhood<br />
Services Department brings<br />
together technology, managed<br />
discretion and neighborhood<br />
collaboration to promote a<br />
healthy and safe community.<br />
One of the goals of the division is to acheive compliance through<br />
education, rather than enforcement. By collaborating and educating,<br />
the division can often resolve code violations without any citations<br />
or formal enforcement actions.<br />
How to Report Violations<br />
Contact Elgin 311<br />
Call 311 (or 847-931-6001), email elgin311@cityofelgin.org or<br />
submit a request on the Elgin 311 mobile app (available in the App<br />
Store and Google Play). The more detailed information, the better.<br />
Make sure to take note of your 311 case number—that way if you have<br />
followup questions, our bilingual citizen advocates can better assist you.<br />
You can remain anonymous when reporting a potential code violation.<br />
What You Should Know<br />
Some issues do not get resolved immediately, for various reasons.<br />
Officers first educate and offer empathetic interactions and<br />
collaboration to resolve issues. Extenuating circumstances can be a<br />
factor in the time it takes to resolve an issue.<br />
Violations which require police response, such as a loose dog or a<br />
noise complaint, need to be reported when the situation is in<br />
progress. Those types of issues should be reported to the Elgin<br />
Police Department non-emergency line: 847-289-2700.<br />
Birds<br />
Common Code Violations<br />
Bagged top soil<br />
Sharing<br />
Tall<br />
plants<br />
Grass<br />
from<br />
and<br />
other<br />
Weeds<br />
states<br />
Wild bird Grass seed may not exceed 8 inches; all noxious<br />
weeds are prohibited.<br />
Storage of Junk<br />
If solid material, like discarded furniture, tires<br />
or other debris is found anywhere on a<br />
property, homeowners are given two days to<br />
the remove items. If, after notice, items remain,<br />
the City may enter remove the items at the cost<br />
of the property owner.<br />
Dead or Dangerous Trees<br />
Trees on private property determined to be<br />
dead or dangerous must be pruned or<br />
removed within 30 days.<br />
Deposits on Street, Sidewalk or Alley<br />
It is unlawful to deposit on any street, sidewalk,<br />
or alley, any dirt, mud, clay, cement, concrete,<br />
gravel, stones, plant matter (grass clippings),<br />
snow or garbage. This goes for homeowners<br />
and construction companies.<br />
Home Improvements without a Permit<br />
Most interior and exterior work to a home or<br />
business requires a permit. Before you begin a<br />
project, see if you need one by visiting<br />
cityofelgin.org/permits or calling 311 if<br />
you’re not sure.<br />
Selling Food without Permit<br />
All establishments or individuals that sell food<br />
must be permitted and inspected by the Elgin<br />
Health Department.<br />
No Open Fires/Burning<br />
Any fire outside, which is not contained within<br />
a grill being used to cook food, is prohibited.<br />
Motor Vehicles, Commercial Vehicles<br />
and Trailers<br />
It is unlawful to park inoperable vehicles,<br />
unlicenced vehicles, commercial vehicles and<br />
trailers at residences. In addition, vehicles must<br />
be parked on paved surfaces only.<br />
Garbage Containers<br />
Garbage and recycling carts are to be stored<br />
out of public view. Carts may be at the curb<br />
after 5 p.m. the day prior to collection, but no<br />
later than midnight the day of collection.<br />
Draining Pool into Storm Sewer<br />
Pool water can only be drained into the storm<br />
sewer if water has been dechlorinated and<br />
pH neutralized.<br />
Rental Properties without Licenses<br />
A property may not be rented without a<br />
City-issued rental license which requires<br />
passing an inspection.<br />
Exterior Work on Home in Historic<br />
District without COA permit<br />
Prior to performing any exterior work on a<br />
home located in one of Elgin’s Historic<br />
Districts, a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA)<br />
permit must be obtained.<br />
C CITYOFELGIN.ORG | 311 (OR 847-931-6001)<br />
GAILBORDEN.INFO<br />
C