FAQs

When is my street, alley, or sidewalk going to be repaired?: The Engineering Division has a condition rating list of streets and alleys to determine a proposed 2 year program of street or alley maintenance, subject to change based on City Council input and funding levels. A call to the Engineering Division can be made at 815 748-2033 to check to see if your street or alley is programmed for maintenance on the 2 year list.

Sidewalk conditions are not yet inventoried Citywide so a list is accumulated by address of sidewalk hazards called in or so noted by City staff from year to year of walks with raised surface 1 ½ inch or more compared to the adjacent panel. Sidewalk repair funds vary greatly from year to year with general neighborhood work areas selected by Engineering Division recommendations to the City Council and by review of the hazard list to repair sidewalks with the available funding. Less severe sidewalk hazards called in may be ground smooth or ramped with asphalt by Public Works Street Operations personnel. Chronic pothole locations may be called into the Street Operations Division when noted for more immediate attention by filling with temporary patch mix, pending a permanent repair of the street or alley surface at a later date.

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Engineering

1. How can I tell if my property is in the floodplain and if mandatory purchase of flood insurance is required?: Aerial views of DeKalb floodplain properties can be obtained from the FEMA Mapping Service website within the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) website. Information on the National Flooding Insurance Program can be found at Floodsmart.gov website. Or, the viewing of a paper copy of the flood maps is possible at the Engineering Division. The Engineering Division will also provide assistance with determining the flood zone and base flood elevation of the floodplain property by the resident, realtor or lender calling 815 748-2070.

2. What steps do I take to have parking changes made or a review of the speed limit in my neighborhood?: Traffic assistance can be reached for most details on parking and speed study requests. A request for a traffic study is generally a first step taken by submitting the web form to the City Manager or your alderman. An internal City committee called the Neighborhood Services Committee will review and process your request and contact you regarding parking or speed change possibilities. Ultimately any changes must occur by City Council action by passing an ordinance amendment to the Municipal Code. Traffic Assistance

3. How do I obtain an Overweight Truck Permit if I will be using City of DeKalb streets via oversized truck?: Effective September 1, 2017, the City of DeKalb will be implementing a new process for securing overweight/oversize permits. An online-based permitting system via www.oxcartpermits.com will replace the application by fax or email method. Permits forms submitted after August 31, 2017, will not be accepted or approved. Any company wanting to apply for an overweight/oversize permit for the City of DeKalb, on or after September 1, 2017, must utilize the Oxcart permitting system.
Oversized Trucks

4. When is my street, alley, or sidewalk going to be repaired?: The Engineering Division has a condition rating list of streets and alleys to determine a proposed 2 year program of street or alley maintenance, subject to change based on City Council input and funding levels. A call to the Engineering Division can be made at 815 748-2033 to check to see if your street or alley is programmed for maintenance on the 2 year list.

Sidewalk conditions are not yet inventoried Citywide so a list is accumulated by address of sidewalk hazards called in or so noted by City staff from year to year of walks with raised surface 1 ½ inch or more compared to the adjacent panel. Sidewalk repair funds vary greatly from year to year with general neighborhood work areas selected by Engineering Division recommendations to the City Council and by review of the hazard list to repair sidewalks with the available funding. Less severe sidewalk hazards called in may be ground smooth or ramped with asphalt by Public Works Street Operations personnel. Chronic pothole locations may be called into the Street Operations Division when noted for more immediate attention by filling with temporary patch mix, pending a permanent repair of the street or alley surface at a later date.