Top Five Code Violations in Lake in the Hills

An unkempt yard can not only decrease property value and negatively impact your neighborhood — it also could be a violation against village code. 

On Friday, the village of Lake in the Hills included its top five code violations in its weekly resident newsletter. The village's community development department enforces maintenance violations in Lake in the Hills, according to the newsletter. 

Those wishing to report a violation can do so by contacting the community development department at 847-960-7440 to file a code complaint, according to the Lake in the Hills property maintenance brochure. 

Here is a look at the top five code violations to watch out for in Lake in the Hills:  

1. Garbage cans and recycling bins in front of home: If it is not your regularly scheduled garbage day, cans and containers should be kept inside or in the side or rear yard. Residents may place receptacles at the curb not earlier than 6 p.m. the preceding day of pickup. 
2. No address numbers visible on the home: Address numbers should be placed on the building within view of the street and should contrast with their background. Numbers should be at least four inches high and in Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. 
3. High grass: Grass and weeds should be maintained and kept under eight inches high. Properties should be maintained, with lawns, bushes and trees kept from becoming overgrown or decayed.  
4. Branches or debris in the yard: Yards should be kept free of debris and piles of branches or leaves. 
5. Exterior building maintenance: The exterior of a structure must be kept in good repair and must be structurally sound. . There can be no peeling paint, holes in the walls or litter on the exterior of property. Gutters should be maintained and remain free from obstructions. Windows and doors should be kept in good repair and weather tight. 

• Pet and Pet Waste: Residents must limit the number of domestic animals to no more than four over the age of 4 months per household. Pet owners are required to immediately pick up after their pets on walks and in public areas and routinely take care to keep their property clean of pet waste. 

• Sidewalks and Snow: Property owners or tenants are responsible for the removal of snow from the sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 24 hours after each snowfall. All tree limbs that hang over a public sidewalk should be at a height of 8 feet above the walking surface. 

• Pools: Swimming pools should be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition and be in good repair. Swimming pools include inflatable pools with a side wall of 24 inches or greater must be completely surrounded by a fence or barrier of at least 48 inches and require a permit. 

Source: Village of Lake in the Hills Property Maintenance brochure 

SPEAK OUT in the comments section: What do you think are common code violation problems in your neighborhood and throughout the village? How does it affect your neighborhood?