Burning of Landscape Waste | Disposal of Grass Clippings | Street Sweeping | Outdoor Water Usage & Lawn Sprinkling | Watering of New Sod/Seed | Weeds & Grasses | Snowplowing | Shoveling
Burning of Landscape Waste
Village Ordinance prohibits the open burning of landscape waste and leaves.
Grass Clipping Disposal
Please dispose of grass clippings properly. Clippings that are allowed to collect in the street and gutters clog storm sewers and prevent effective drainage.
Street Sweeping
Spring-Fall: Street sweeping is done every Friday morning from 4:00-6:00 a.m.
Water Use/Lawn Sprinkling (year-round)
The Village of Plainfield year round ordinance for outside water uses follows:
Lawn sprinkling for even numbered addresses on even numbered calendar days is permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Lawn sprinkling for odd numbered addresses on odd numbered calendar days is permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The watering of gardens, trees, shrubs, and flowers (by use of a handheld hose or watering can)
is permitted anytime.
If there are any questions concerning water restrictions, please call Public Works at 815-436-3577.
Watering of New Sod or Seed
The first day sod or seed is placed, the property owner may water sod or seed for any eight (8) hours.
For the next nine (9) days, the property owner may water the sod or seed every day between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.
Following the first ten (10) days, the odd/even watering restrictions will apply.
Weed & Grass Ordinance
The Weed and Grass Ordinance states that all premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weed or plant growth more than 8 inches in height. Any property that violates this ordinance will be notified. After five (5) days of noncompliance, the property is subject to a lien until it is brought into compliance. This ordinance is enforced throughout the growing season, May 1-November 15.
Snowplowing Information - Standard Operating Procedures for Snow & Ice Removal
Each year, the Village receives questions regarding snowplowing and road conditions during inclement weather. To help answer these questions, below you will find information on the Village’s procedures for snow and ice removal. If you have any questions regarding this information or snow removal, please feel free to contact the Public Works Department at (815) 436-3577. During the winter, safety is the Village’s number one priority for our residents, our emergency service responders, and the general public. Thank you for your understanding and patience during the season.
Salting Operations Only: When a minor snow or ice event is forecast (accumulations from a dusting to less then two inches), the Village’s snow and ice crews are on alert and standing by. (In some instances, roads are pre-salted.) When the precipitation, either snow or ice, begins to accumulate on paved surfaces, salt trucks begin applying salt to arterial roadways (primary or main traffic routes). These roads are dealt with first for safety reasons, due to higher speed limits and heavier traffic volume. On a number of occasions, the primary (main) roads must be gone over more than once.
Upon completion of the primary roads, salting of major collector streets begins. These include main streets through subdivisions, roads that link with main roads, and streets with schools located on them. Then salting of residential side streets, dead ends, and cul-de-sacs begins. A simple salting operation can take six to eight hours after the last of the snow has fallen. Normally approximately 300 pounds of salt per lane mile is applied. When temperatures fall below 20 degrees, calcium chloride is added to the salt to enhance the melting process. If the forecast changes and the snow continues to intensify prior to completing the salt route, the Village stops salting and immediately begins plowing operations.
Plowing Operations: When snow reaches two or more inches in accumulation, the Village begins a plowing operation. A secondary group is called out to help with the plowing, in addition to the salt shift that is already out. As the salt trucks continue to work on plowing primary and arterial streets, other snowplow trucks begin to work on side streets. Alleys, cul-de-sacs, and dead ends are done towards the end of the storm due to low or very little traffic volume. The last task is pushing back corners and cleaning up areas where cars may have been parked. Finally, salt trucks will then run their entire route and re-salt and plow where required. This operation in normal weather conditions will last about 14 to 18 hours after the last of the snow has fallen. It is important to remember that excessive amounts of snow, extreme drops in temperature, heavy wet snow, blowing and drifting snow, and equipment breakdowns will increase this time frame.
Helpful Shoveling Hints
Shovel driveway aprons only after the roadway is completely cleared. This will eliminate the need to shovel them more than once.
Pile all the snow away from the edge of the road, on the left side of the driveway as you face the house. Should the snowplow pass by again, after you have shoveled, this will prevent the plow from pushing the snow back into your driveway.
Do not push snow into or across the street. This may result in that same snow being deposited in your neighbor's driveway, if the snowplow should make an additional pass.
Clear snow and ice from the walk adjacent to your property. This makes pedestrian travel safer and easier.
Clear snow away from fire hydrants to permit easy access, in case of an emergency.
