Whether you are a long-time resident of Channahon, a newcomer, or thinking about moving to our community, you may have questions about various Village services and requirements. We hope our web site will answer these questions for you. If you need additional information, please contact the Village Administrative Office at 815/467-6644.
Animal Tags and Leash Requirements
If you own a dog or cat, you are required to obtain an animal tag. You should obtain a tag within 30 days of moving into the Village. Tags are renewed on a yearly basis. When registering, you need to bring proof from the veterinarian of the animal's inoculation against rabies. Animals registered by January 31st of each year or within 30 days of moving into the Village will be exempt from registration fees.
Animals registered after January 31st or after 30 days of occupancy are subject to an annual fee of $7.00. For pet owners age 65 and over, or for owners of dogs that are specifically trained and function to assist handicapped individuals, tags are $3.50 if purchased after the January 31 deadline or after 30 days of establishing residency.
Village ordinance requires that owners keep dogs and cats from running freely outside of their property. These pets must be leashed or confined. Stray animal complaints can be reported by calling 815/467-2123 during business hours or 815/467-2112 after hours and weekends. An impounding fee and a fine is charged if the animal is picked up.
If you no longer own a previously registered animal, please notify the Village at 815/467-6644.
The organizer of any outdoor or large event that will draw a crowd must submit an application to the Village at least two weeks prior to the desired date for the event. This includes walk-a-thons, parades, and outdoor parties. Residents cannot block off a street on their own. Public Works personnel will drop off and pick up barricades at the location. Applications can be obtained from the Police Department during regular business hours.
You should obtain a building permit before adding a deck, storage shed, fence, lawn sprinkler system, or undertaking any other kind of construction or improvement. All contractors working within the Village must be registered with the Village. Registration ensures that contractors are properly insured and bonded. If you are planning to hire a contractor, contact the Development Department at 815/467-6644 to verify that the contractor is registered.
A culvert permit is required for installation, replacement, removal, or relocation of a culvert under a driveway. Per Village Ordinance No. 76, it is prohibited to obstruct or alter the flow of surface water drainage upon streets or within the drainage ditches or storm sewers upon the public rights-of-way.
For your convenience, there is a drop box located in the south parking lot of the Municipal Center. Water and refuse bills, animal tag applications, and suggestions may be dropped in the box. Please put all bills and checks in an envelope. If applying for an animal tag, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope so that the tag may be mailed back to you.
All residents are required to have refuse service and to use the toter (trash can) and recycling bin provided by Waste Management, the Village's waste hauler. When selling an existing house, the owners should leave their toter and recycling bin for the new homeowner. However, to activate pick-up service, you must submit an application to the Village. An automatic utility bill payment program is also available for your convenience. Applications to establish service and to enter the automatic utility bill payment program are available at the Village Hall. Residents on the Village water/ sewer system are billed on a monthly basis; all others are billed quarterly.
Residents may choose from three toter sizes: 35-gallon ($12.45 per month; $37.35 per quarter), 64-gallon ($13.78 per month; $41.34 per quarter), or 96-gallon ($15.05 per month; $45.15 per quarter). An additional recycling bin can be obtained for $5.00. Senior citizen rates are reduced by $1.00 per month, or $3.00 per quarter. Wire carts for hauling recycling bins to and from the curb are available at no cost to seniors. To have a cart delivered to your home, call the Water/Refuse Billing Department at 815/467-6644. For questions regarding specific items to be picked up, contact Waste Management at 815/725-4200.
Garbage collection is on Mondays from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Containers can be placed at the curb up to 12 hours in advance and must be removed from the curb by 6:00 p.m.
For questions concerning natural gas service, contact Nicor Gas at 888/642-6748. For questions concerning electric service, contact ComEd at 800/334-7661. For questions concerning telephone services, contact Ameritech at 800/244-4444.
The storage of inoperable vehicles on residential property is prohibited unless stored in an enclosed structure. The Village may assess a fine and tow the vehicle at the owner's expense.
A permit is required to install a lawn sprinkler system. A Reduced Pressure Zone (RPZ) Backflow Preventor must be installed with the sprinkler system in order to ensure safety of the public water supply. The RPZ must be tested and certified annually by a state certified Cross-Connection Control Device Inspector (CCCDI). A copy of the test report must be submitted to the Public Works Department.
The Village has established minimum and maximum requirements for the installation of mailboxes. Brick mailbox stands are prohibited. In addition, mailboxes are not to be located in the radius of a cul-de-sac. Specifications are available from the Public Works Department at 815/467-6644.
Crime can be reduced through involvement with Neighborhood Watch. It is an excellent opportunity to get to know your neighbors and to assist the Channahon Police in proactive policing. For more information, contact the Channahon Police Department at 815/467-5152.
Pace Bus Service offers a Dial-A-Ride service for Channahon residents to various destinations in Joliet. Scheduled trips are also available to the Fox Valley Mall and Orland Square Mall on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. To schedule a ride or inquire about service, call 1-800-244-4410 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Reservations may be scheduled up to one week in advance.
Some homes in the Village use septic systems for sewage disposal. If you have questions about how these systems work and should be maintained, you should contact the Will County Health Department at 815-727-8480.
Registration with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources is required to legally operate a snowmobile in Illinois. The Department will issue the owner two registration expiration decals with the identification number for that vehicle. The decals must be applied to each side of the cowling. Snowmobiles must be operated at least 10 feet from Village roadways and in the same direction as traffic. The vehicle must have at least one lighted headlamp and one lighted tail lamp working at all times. Snowmobile operation is prohibited within nature preserves and on the tracks or right of way of an operating railroad. Snowmobiles may not be operated on private property without the consent of the owner. Within 100 feet of a dwelling between midnight and 6:00 a.m., snowmobiles may not be operated at a speed greater than the minimum required to maintain forward movement.
No one under the age of 10 may operate a snowmobile. Between the ages of 10 and 11, the operator must be accompanied on the snowmobile by a parent, guardian, or a person designated by the parent or guardian who is at least 18 years of age. The same restrictions apply for those between the ages of 12 and 15, unless the operator holds a certificate issued by the Department of Natural Resources authorizing the person to operate snowmobiles. The I & M Canal State Trail, which runs through the Village, provides a designated trail for area snowmobile enthusiasts. A minimum of four inches of snow is required for riding. To be sure the trail is open, call 815/467-4271 for information.
Parking is prohibited on Village streets after a 2-inch snowfall. Upon completion of snow removal operations, parking is allowed on the streets unless prohibited for reasons other than snow removal. In addition, residents are encouraged to keep parked vehicles off the streets when snowfall is predicted or during an ice storm. When shoveling or snow-blowing the end of your driveway, try to push or blow the snow to the left side of the driveway (left meaning as you face the house from the curb). This will help the snowplows push the snow past your driveway. Shoveling, plowing, or blowing snow into the street is prohibited. This includes plowing the snow to a location across the street from your driveway.
The Village maintains the aluminum street light poles, while ComEd maintains the concrete and wood poles. If your street light goes out, contact the Village at 815/467-6644 or ComEd at 1-800-EDISON1.
Basement sump pumps provide subgrade drainage of your home's foundation. This discharge water must be channeled away from your house. However, it should not be discharged to the front of the house or Village parkway. Instead, it should be routed to the rear or side yard. You should coordinate this with your landscaper.
An appointed Tree Board regulates trees planted in the Village right-of-way. If you have questions regarding tree policy, types of trees accepted, or removing or trimming of trees, please contact the Public Works Department at 815/467-6644. Specifications for types of trees permitted, size, and location are outlined in the Landscape Ordinance, which may be found below.
Residents can register to vote at the Municipal Center. To be eligible to vote, you must be 18 years of age and a resident of your precinct at least 30 days prior to an election. For questions concerning voter registration, contact the Will County Clerk at 815/740-4615 or the Grundy County Clerk at 815/942-3222.
Residents are required to complete an application for water/sewer service if your house is connected to the public water and/or sewer system. This application is combined with the application for refuse service. Residents on the village water/sewer system are billed on a monthly basis. An Automatic Utility Bill Payment Program is also available for your convenience. Applications to establish service and to enter the Automatic Utility Bill Payment Program are available at the Municipal Center or can be downloaded here.
You can also make these payments on-line using MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. This service is made available through the State Treasurer's Office Illinois Funds E-Pay program.
In an effort to conserve water and provide reasonable watering options and cost savings to our residents, the Village of Channahon requests that new sod not be installed in July or August. If sod is installed during July/August, the village will not allow daily watering.
The following exception to our watering restriction will be allowed for new sod installations. This excludes sod installed in July and August (odd-even restrictions will apply).
Newly installed sod may be watered daily for the first seven (7) days for up to six (6) hours per day. After seven (7) days, the normal watering restrictions per Village Ordinance will apply. Village Ordinance allows odd-numbered residences to water on odd-numbered days and even-numbered residences on even-numbered days.
Weeds
To maintain an attractive Village, there is an ordinance against excessive weeds on private property, including vacant lots. Violations will result in a fine and an order to comply with the ordinance within 10 days. If the weeds are not cut and removed, the Village will do so at the owner's expense and place a lien against the property.
