Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The chipper can accept tree branches up to 10 inches in diameter and at least 4 feet in length – remember, the chipper is designed to process large amounts of wood; therefore, the longer the better. Stack branches neatly in a long low pile on the parkway, with the cut end facing the curb. Remember, Public Works crews cannot pick up material on private property. The following items cannot be picked up: root balls & stumps; building materials; anything with nails, wire, bolts, or other foreign material. We cannot chip timbers or fencing; wreaths; or holiday trees with lights, decorations, or in bags. We also cannot chip grass, leaves, or any material placed in a box or garbage can. The chipper is not designed to process small plant material such as clippings from hedge trimmers or small branches under 2″ in diameter or root balls from dug up plants (this material should be placed in your “Green Monster”). If you have chipping questions, please call the Village at (847) 381-7903.

You should contact the Development Services Department at (847) 304-3460 to schedule a meeting to discuss the property and determine the appropriate development process.

Fences are permitted in the Village of Barrington; however, please check with your homeowners association to verify if fences are allowed in your subdivision.

A building permit is required for any interior work that involves structural, electrical or plumbing alterations. A permit is also required for most types of exterior work, including roofing, siding or windows, driveways, fences, decks, patios, porches, walkways, trellises, arbors, outdoor fire pits or fireplaces, playground equipment, dog runs, sheds, detached garages, screened porches, swimming pools and sport courts.  For specific questions, call the Village and ask to speak with a Building Inspector.

Curfew for people less than seventeen (17) years of age is at 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12:00 midnight Friday and Saturday. For drivers under the age of 18, nighttime driving is restricted to 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday.  On all days, curfew ends at 6:00 a.m.

To sign-up, cancel or modify your information in the Village’s community notification system, please click here

How long does it take Village crews to clear snow and ice from Village Streets?

Our goal is to clear snow and ice from all Village streets within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling.

Do I have to shovel the snow on the public walk in front of my house?

Yes, the Village Code requires all residential property owners to clear the snow and ice from the public walks abutting their property within 24 hours of the conclusion of the snow event. Your assistance in keeping the public walk clear is greatly appreciated!

Will I be able to get my car out of the commuter lot if it snows while I am at work?

When snowstorms hit during business hours, our crews plow and salt the exit lanes from the commuter lots. Unfortunately, our crews cannot clear snow around individual cars. After cars have left the parking area, remaining snow and ice is removed from the lots.

How much does snow and ice control cost the taxpayers?

The cost of snow and ice control varies depending on the conditions each winter. Records kept over the past years show that we spend approximately $100,000 on snow and ice control during a typical winter. We are constantly striving to improve our methods, materials and equipment, to provide the most efficient and economical snow and ice control possible.

The snowplow damaged my mailbox and the lawn in the parkway. Will the Village repair the damage?

If your mailbox is damaged by Village crews during snow removal operations, please click here to create a service request or call us, at (847) 381-7903. Within 24 hours of notification, the Village will perform emergency temporary repairs on any mailbox verified to have been damaged by the Village. Permanent repairs will be made when weather permits. Lawn damage will be repaired in early spring when the weather permits.

Why does the Village use so much salt on the roads? It rusts my car.

Historically, a mixture of salt and calcium chloride has proven to be the most effective and economical means of ice control. However, we are constantly striving to improve our methods, materials and equipment, to provide the most efficient and economical snow and ice control possible. For example, we now supplement normal salting operations by utilizing liquid de-icing material, which is a mixture of salt brine, calcium chloride, and “Geomelt”, an organic de-icing compound derived from sugar beets. Use of this mixture reduces costs significantly, is more environmentally friendly, reduces wear and tear on vehicles.

The snow plow has not been down my street yet. Why not?

Our goal is to clear the snow and ice from all Village streets within 24 hours after the snow has stopped falling. In order to do this, the Village is divided into four snow plow routes, to provide timely plowing of all Village streets. In each route, the streets are designated (and prioritized) as either emergency routes, school routes, side streets, cul-de-sacs or alleys. Depending upon snow fall duration, expected hourly accumulations, and time of day, crews may make changes in their assigned routes, to keep the emergency and school routes open before starting on the side streets, cul-de-sacs and alleys. During heavy snow fall events, a fifth plowing route is created, which designates a plow that stays on emergency and school routes, so that the other plows may continue to open the side streets, cul-de-sacs and alleys.

During a snow storm, what can I do to help?

Thank you for asking! There are a number of things you can do to help. Please park your car in your driveway, not on the street, if there is more than a two-inch accumulation of snow. Please do not put garbage cans in roadway as this creates a hazardous condition for snow plows and residents. Containers should be placed on the driveway or parkway. Keep any fire hydrants near your property free of snow so that they will be ready for us in an emergency. Keep your sidewalks free of ice and snow. Please, also remember to periodically check on neighbors who may need assistance.

What roads/streets does the Village plow?

The Village clears snow and ice from over 50 miles of roads within the Village limits. State crews (IDOT) handle snow and ice on Route 14 (Northwest Highway), Ela Road, Barrington Road and portions of Route 59 (Hough Street) and Lake-Cook Road (Main Street) outside the Village limits.

My neighbor has put on an addition/ re-graded and landscaped his backyard.  Now, I have storm water ponding in my yard which I did not have before.  What can the Village do about this?

Call the Village at (847) 304-3460 to see if a permit was issued for the work.  If there was a permit, we will be out to inspect the work to verify that it has been done properly.  If no permit was issued, the neighboring property will be required to rectify the condition.

Will the Village remove and replace my flowers and landscaping in the parkway if they are damaged during street improvements?

Replacement of parkway trees is taken care of by the Village. If you wish to protect other parkway vegetation, we ask that you remove it from the parkway prior to construction. We will notify you before construction starts, typically several weeks ahead of time. If you have additional questions, please call Development Services at (847) 304-3460.

Place the containers in the same place you usually put them. The road contractor will accommodate the garbage collectors on your pick-up day

What road work or street improvements are planned for this year?A list of the roads that will be worked on each season can be found on the Village’s website under the Engineering & Building department page or you can call us at (847) 304-3460.

After construction is complete, will the Village replace my flowers and landscaping that was in the parkway prior to construction?

We request that residents relocate all vegetation that they wish to protect from the parkway prior to construction.  Letters notifying residents of the pending work are typically sent out several times before construction starts.  The Village will replace seed and sod only.  Sprinkler systems and invisible dog fences are not permitted in the parkway and therefore will not be replaced if damaged during street improvements or other Village construction projects.

Will I still get mail delivery during street construction?

Yes, mail delivery will continue during street construction. If the street is completely reconstructed, a temporary mailbox will be placed outside the construction zone, at a location designated by the Post Office. You will be notified ahead of time regarding the location of the temporary mailbox. In any case, any mailbox that is removed for street construction will be replaced in conformance with U.S. Postal regulations. If you have questions about your mail delivery, please call the Barrington Post Office at (847) 381-0510. If you have questions regarding street construction, please call (847) 304-3460.

Who is responsible for repair or replacement of water lines

Repair: The Village is responsible for repairing the water service from the connection at the water main to the underground shut-off valve (“B-box”), usually located in the parkway, driveway, or in the street. The property owner is responsible for repairing the service line from the B-box to the building.

Replacement: The Village is responsible for the routine replacement of the water service from the connection at the water main to the B-box. If you are upgrading your service as part of a remodeling project, then you are responsible for this work. For more specific information, please contact Public Works at (847) 381-7903.

When you repair my parkway/yard, can you replace it with sod, instead of grass seed?

The Village uses high quality grass seed to repair all excavations in lawn areas. Grass seed provides a thicker, more drought-resistant lawn than sod. If there are areas of the seed that do not fill in, we will return to re-seed those areas.

Does the Village have a program for an overhead sewer/flood control?

The Village of Barrington has a cost share program for installation of overhead sewers. Please contact the Village at (847) 381-7903 for information regarding this program.

I have a water leak in my house. How do I turn off the water?

All homes in the Village have a shut-off valve on the water line close to the point where it enters the house. This shut-off valve should be right next to the water meter, and is typically found in the basement or crawl space. If this valve does not work, and you need to shut off your water, click here to create a service request or call the Village at (847) 381-7903.

I need to replace the shut-off valve by my water meter. Who is responsible for this repair?

The Village owns and maintains the meter; however, you are responsible for repairs or replacement of the shutoff valves on both sides of the meter. Please click here to create a service request or contact us at (847) 381-7903, at least 48 hours in advance of planned repairs, so we can make sure the outside water shutoff (B-box) is functioning properly.

I have an old lead water service in my home. Is the water safe to drink?

Yes, the water is safe to drink. For further information, please visit the U.S. EPA website.