Resident Guide

FOR THE NEW OR SEASONED RESIDENT | YOUR REFERENCE MANUAL OF BERWYN

GENERAL INFORMATION

BERWYN CITY COUNCIL

City Council meetings are held at 8PM every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month at City Hall. All residents are welcome to attend. Meetings are held at 6700 26th St.

CITY OF BERWYN SMART PHONE APP

The City of Berwyn app is available for download on iTunes and Google Play. This free app serves as a resource for both residents and community stakeholders, offering an event calendar and news feed, business directory, a service request form and more.

LIBRARY CARDS

Library cards are available at no charge to residents. Residents must provide documentation to verify their identification and residency. For more information, call the Berwyn Public Library at 708-795-8000.

METROPOLITAN WATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT OF GREATER CHICAGO (MWRD)

Multiple locations • mwrd.org MWRD offers rain barrels for purchase. For more information and to place your order, visit mwrd.org/rain-barrels. MWRD’s Restore the Canopy program offers free oak saplings that can be picked up at their water reclamation plants every Wednesday from 9am-12pm (April-October). Residents must contact Berwyn Public Works before planting trees.

ONLINE BILL PAY

In a continuing effort to improve service to our residents, the City of Berwyn provides a convenient online bill payment option for water, sewer and garbage bills. Visit Berwyn-IL. gov and click on “On-Line Bill Pay” to pay your bills.

SERVICES FOR SENIORS & PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

The mission of the Senior Services Division is to provide quality services for Berwyn’s seniors and persons with disabilities, including low-cost transportation, lawn service, leaf blowing, snow removal, a handyman program for minor home repairs, and social programming. Residents must be pre-approved. For an application, visit Berwyn-IL.gov/senior_services or call 708-749-6492.

U.S. POST OFFICE

6625 W Cermak Rd • 708-484-5392 • usps.com

BUILDING REGULATIONS & PERMITS

BUILDING REGULATIONS

Residents must obtain a permit from the Building Department located in City Hall before proceeding with building repair or remodeling projects. All contractors and subcontractors must be licensed and bonded with the City before permits can be processed. Information is available through the Collector’s Office at 708-788-2660.

COMPLIANCE INSPECTIONS

At the time a property is listed for sale with a Realtor or by owner, the property must be inspected for compliance with all city ordinances. If violations do exist, this ordinance allows the seller adequate time to rectify any problems prior to sale, thereby expediting the closing on the home.

PERMIT REGULATIONS FOR HOME/ BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT & CONSTRUCTION

Permits are required on all improvements made to buildings and property, including but not limited to, the following work: electrical and plumbing; concrete or asphalt; HVAC or boiler; all demolition (including permit for dumpsters); dormers or additions; interior and exterior structural alterations; garages; replacement windows and glass block; porches, decks, and steps; sewer replacement; fences and gates; swimming pools and hot tubs; roofing; kitchen and bathroom remodeling; cabinet removal and replacement; and drywall. Permits are not required for inside painting, cleaning, appliance installation or replacement and floor coverings. For more information, go to Berwyn-IL.gov/building_department or call 708-788-2660 ext 6442.

ANIMAL & PET REGULATIONS

BACKYARD CHICKENS

Berwyn City Council lifted the local ban on chickens in March 2016 with an amendment to its Offensive Keeping of Animals ordinance. Backyard chickens are legal to keep in residents’ backyards. Learn more at Berwyn-IL.gov.

DOG AND CAT REGULATIONS

City ordinance limits the number of pets (combination of cats and dogs) to three (3) per building or using the same premises. All dogs and cats must be licensed with the City at a fee of $10 per year, per pet, due in June. Applications are available at City Hall and on the city’s website: Berwyn-il.gov/forms.

ELECTRONIC & HAZARDOUS WASTE RECYCLING

Residents receiving Waste Management services through the City of Berwyn will be able to utilize At Your Door. By contacting Waste Management, a resident can schedule a pick-up of home-generated special materials (ex: automotive products, garden chemicals, paint products, electronics, items containing mercury, household cleaners, and sharps, needles and lancets) at no extra cost. Learn more at wmatyourdoor.com, call 800-449-7587 or email atyourdoor@wm.com.

GARBAGE PICK-UP

Place bagged household garbage in the waste containers provided by Waste Management for weekly pick-up. The disposal of large household appliances, building materials, or other large accumulations of materials can be arranged directly with Waste Management at 800-964-8988 or at home.wm.com/berwyn.

RECYCLING & YARD WASTE

Recycling bins are available from Waste Management (800-964-8988) or home.wm.com/berwyn for clean recyclable items such as aluminum cans, glass bottles and jars, tin cans, magazines and newspapers. Pick-up is the same day as garbage pick-up. Yard waste, including grass clippings and leaves, may be placed in large brown paper bags, or in your own plastic garbage cans (32 gallons or less in size) identified with a Yard Waste sticker (provided free at City Hall). Yard waste is picked up from April 1 through December 31. Do not rake leaves into the street as they block storm drain sewers and damage street sweepers. This violates Berwyn City Ordinance 672.04 and may result in a ticket with a fine up to $750. Recycling items must be placed loosely in recycling bin.

STREET & SIDEWALK MAINTENANCE

RESIDENTIAL FLOOD MITIGATION PROGRAM

For information on the City’s Residential Flood Mitigation Program and Downspout Disconnection Assistance Program, please visit:Berwyn-IL.gov/Flood%20Information.

SIDEWALK REPLACEMENT PROGRAM

If you would like to have the public sidewalk in front of your property replaced, the City of Berwyn is offering a cost share replacement program. Please visit: Berwyn-IL.gov/sites/all/files/pdfs/community/sidewalk.pdf for more information.

STREET MAINTENANCE

Residents should be aware of the street maintenance schedule by checking their block’s signage. No parking on your side of the street will be enforced during your regular street maintenance schedule from 9AM to 4PM or as posted. This will allow for additional street cleaning and snow removal passes, as well as regular maintenance activities. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 708-749-4700. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to maintain all surrounding walkways to be clear of snow. Snow should not be shoveled into the street, alley, onto a fire hydrant or any other City property. For snow emergency information, call 708-749-6514. Parking on a snow route after 6 inches of accumulated snow has fallen is strictly prohibited. The parking ban will remain in effect until the snow has been completely removed from curb to curb. Snow routes are signed accordingly. Always follow all signage on a snow route. Your vehicle will be ticketed and/ or towed if it is parked on a snow route. The following streets are snow routes—(East-West): Roosevelt Rd, 16th St, Cermak Rd, 26th St, Riverside Dr, 31st St, Stanley Ave, Windsor Ave, 34th St, Ogden Ave and Pershing Rd. (North-South): Harlem Ave, Home Ave, Oak Park Ave, East Ave and Ridgeland Ave. Snow removal for residential streets will follow the street maintenance schedule. It is the responsibility of you and/or any visitor of your residence to be aware of the signage posted near your home. No parking for your side of the street will be strictly enforced from 9AM to 4PM or as posted. This will allow for additional street cleaning and snow removal passes, as well as regular maintenance activities. If you are towed, contact the Police Communication Center at 708-795-5600.

REGISTRATION

BICYCLE REGISTRATION

No-fee bicycle registration is taken at the Berwyn Police Department.

GARAGE SALES

A permit is required to have a house, garage or yard sale, limit two sales/year. The first permit is free and the second costs $20. Signage rules allow you to have two signs on city parkways which may be rented for a $10 deposit/sign. Signs can be displayed between 7AM to 7PM. Sales can be held from 9AM to 5PM. Permits can be obtained at City Hall. Restrictions may apply during the COVID-19 pandemic.

VEHICLE STICKERS

City ordinance requires that any resident owning and/ or operating a car, motorcycle, truck, tractor, bus or RV within the City must obtain a Berwyn vehicle sticker each year. Stickers are renewed annually on June 1 and must be displayed by July 1. New residents must purchase a Berwyn sticker at City Hall or online at berwyn-il.gov/forms within thirty (30) days of residency. Stickers are available online, by mail or in person. If you are seeking a sticker and your vehicle registration matches your current Berwyn address, you will need to show proof of license plate number and a valid driver’s license. If you have recently moved to Berwyn, you must show an updated vehicle registration with the new Berwyn address. Changes to your vehicle registration can be made at the Secretary of State or Currency Exchange. The fee for passenger cars is $50, motorcycles are $35 and RVs, trucks, tractors and buses are assessed according to class. Seniors aged 65+ years receive one free passenger vehicle sticker per household, and vehicle must be registered in the senior’s name to qualify. Retired veterans receive one free sticker with proper ID or military license plate.

VOTER REGISTRATION

Residents may register to vote at the Berwyn City Clerk’s office located at 6700 W 26th St in City Hall during normal business hours. Online registration is available at ova.elections.il.gov. Call 708-749-6451 for help.

PARKING

CERMAK ROAD PARKING: VACIN FAIRWAY PARKING PERMITS

The Vacin Fairway is the parking area behind the stores on the north side of Cermak Rd.

Visitors can park for free for up to two hours. If longer parking is needed, annual permits can be purchased at the Collector’s Office in City Hall or online on the city’s website: berwyn-il.gov/forms.

CITY SPEED LIMIT & GENERAL PARKING

The speed limit is 25 mph unless posted otherwise. All alley speed limits are 15 mph unless posted otherwise. Parking is for residents only between 3AM to 6AM on all streets unless posted otherwise. Visitors will require a parking pass. Visitor passes may be purchased in a pack of 15 one-time use passes for $5 at the Police Department and City Hall, or online at berwyn-il.gov/forms. Residents and visitors should be sure to check the block in which they are parking for any additional signed parking restrictions.

COMMERCIAL TRUCK PARKING

Locations for commercial truck parking have been made available in the Vacin Fairway, Library Parking Lot and along the Depot parking areas. Annual and quarterly permits are available. Contact the Collector’s Office in City Hall or the Parking Department at the Police Department for permit pricing and parking locations.

DEPOT DISTRICT PARKING: PARKING FACILITY, MUNICIPAL LOT & PARKING PERMITS

The parking facility is located south of the Berwyn Metra train station in Berwyn’s Historic Depot District at 3320 S Grove Ave. Depot permit holders can park on the first four levels with a City of Berwyn Depot Parking Permit, which can be obtained at City Hall. Daily permits can be purchased at the pay stations located on the first floor of the two stairwells for $3. The fifth (top) level is open to the public at an hourly rate of $0.25. Daily pay parking is also available at the Municipal Lot at 32nd St and Oak Park Ave. It is open to the public at an hourly rate of $0.25. Depot parking permits for Metra commuters, employees and residents are sold as annual and quarterly permits on a first-come, first-serve basis at City Hall or online at berwyn-il.gov/forms. Parking areas are located in the Municipal Parking Facility and along Windsor Ave and Stanley Ave from Ridgeland Ave (LaVergne Station) to Harlem Ave (Harlem Station).

WELCOME CITY

On April 11, 2017, the City of Berwyn passed a “welcoming city” ordinance that stops city officials and police from collaborating with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency with regard to persons solely because of immigration status. CITIZEN ALERT EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION PROGRAM

Receive alerts and updates by signing up for emergency notifications and community announcements. Choose your preferred method of contact (phone, text or e-mail). Visit Berwyn-IL.gov and click on “City of Berwyn Emergency Alert Program” to register. This system enables the City of Berwyn to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, unexpected road closures, missing persons and evacuations of buildings or neighborhoods. If you do not have access to the Internet or need assistance registering for emergency notifications, leave a message at 708-749-6563 and a representative will call you to complete your registration.

CRIME REPORTS

The Berwyn Police Department shares information on reported criminal incidents on their Facebook page (@BerwynPD), as well as City of Berwyn social media pages. Follow the City of Berwyn on Facebook (@BerwynIL), Twitter (@CityofBerwyn), Instagram (@city_of_berwyn), and YouTube (youtube.com/ cityofberwyn).

CURFEW

Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to be in public places between 10:30PM and 6AM on Sunday through Thursday nights and between 11:30PM and 6AM on Friday and Saturday nights. Exceptions are provided for those with a parent or legal guardian and those persons going to or from their place of employment.