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The Village of Algonquin, IL
Welcome to the website for the Village of Algonquin!
Property Care Guidelines
Welcome to the Property Care Guidelines page, which outlines common care issues on private property and their easy fixes. Additional information about property care guidelines in Algonquin can be read in the Algonquin Municipal Code.
Understanding Property Care
Algonquin's private property care guidelines help maintain a safe, pleasant, and visually appealing environment for everyone in the community. The guidelines are meant to ensure properties are well-kept, addressing concerns promptly, promoting community well-being, and preserving the overall quality of life for residents.
When someone notices a property maintenance concern, or we see something, we look into it to learn more. We work together with property owners to fix any issues and make sure everything is good. It usually does not take much time to resolve a concern; however, some problems are more complex than others and may require more time.
By following these guidelines together, we can make sure our community is a healthy, safe, and beautiful place.
Simplified Process Overview
1. Discovery & Review
Property care concerns are reported by the community or noticed by property maintenance staff.
2. Reach-out & Resolve
A cooperative effort is initiated between staff and property owners to resolve any concerns.
3. Follow-up Actions
Staff confirm the desired outcome has been achieved and take additional actions as needed.
Common Property Care Concerns & Solutions
Here are some common private property care issues and resources that can be used to fix them:
Lawns should be kept under eight (8) inches tall. Compost piles must not have foul odors, be less than four feet tall and wide, and only go in the back or side yards. They also need to be at least five feet from lot lines and not in easements.
Accessory structures should be strong, the right size, and put in the right spot. Examples include garages, mailboxes, sheds, fences, decks, patios, pools, piers, and boathouses.
The exterior of buildings must be maintained in good repair without holes, loose or rotting materials, peeling paint, or graffiti. This includes foundations, walls, roofs, and more. Windows and screens should be weatherproof, open easily, and stay in place. Visible house numbers (minimum 4 inches tall) are required on all buildings. Additionally, buildings should be free of holiday lights no more than 60 days of any holiday.
Driveways and walkways on private properties should be well-maintained. Keep cement and asphalt free of loose or broken bits. If you have a gravel driveway, it should have forms to stop gravel from going to public areas. Public sidewalks should not be obstructed nor are vehicles allowed to be parked over them. Property owners need to clear snow from their sidewalks within 24 hours after snowfall stops.
Non-working vehicles (even unlicensed ones) should not be on private property for over 30 days unless they are inside a building. All vehicles, like recreational ones and trailers, must be on asphalt or concrete, easy to access without going on unpaved areas. Only two visible recreational vehicles are allowed. Vehicles parked cannot go onver public sidewalks. Recreational vehicles cannot be parked on public property at all.
Property owners can't let junk pile up, like rubbish, boxes, lumber, or scrap metal. Don't keep anything attracting rodents or causing fire risks. Building materials pursuant to a valid permit are allowed.
Learn more about refuse and recycling services in Algonquin.
Pets should not leave any litter on public areas or someone else's property. If you do not own the property, clean up any waste right away.
Learn more about why cleaining up after pets is beneficial to our community.
Remove dead trees from Village properties within three (3) months. Keep trees at least ten (10) feet away from fire hydrants, unless approved by Public Works Director. You need a tree removal permit to remove trees with a trunk over ten inches wide.
Other possible property care issues could include things like:
- illegal signs (such as offsite advertising)
- running businesses from home without permission
- and not getting the needed building permits
