Not sure who handles a lifted sidewalk, or whether you can plant that new maple near the curb? If you own or plan to buy in Shiloh, it helps to know how easements, trees, and sidewalks work so you avoid surprises. In this guide, you’ll learn the local basics, how to look up easements, what to expect with sidewalk repairs, and the right steps before you dig or plant. Let’s dive in.
Easements in Shiloh: the basics
An easement gives someone else limited rights to use part of your land for a specific purpose, such as utilities or access. You still own the land, but the easement holder has defined rights within that area. For a plain‑English primer, see the background on easements and how they are created and limited under Illinois law in this overview of what an easement is.
Common types in Shiloh include utility easements, public right‑of‑way near streets and sidewalks, and private access easements that benefit another parcel. Prescriptive easements can arise after long, open, adverse use over time, which is fact specific and complex to prove. For a practical Illinois explanation of easements and why recorded documents matter, review this municipal easement guide.
How to find recorded easements in St. Clair County
Start with the title commitment and its exceptions schedule if you are buying. Easements often show up as exceptions and your title company can explain what they mean. You can also search recorded deeds, plats, and easement instruments through the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds.
If you need more clarity, ask for a current survey to show measured easements on the ground. Many subdivision plats also list utility easements along front, side, or rear lot lines. For deeper questions, a title company or Illinois real estate attorney can help you interpret documents and advise on next steps.
Before you dig or plant: call JULIE
Illinois law requires you to contact the statewide one‑call center before any excavation, including planting trees or setting fence posts. Utilities will mark underground lines at no charge. Learn more about the call‑before‑you‑dig process from this note on JULIE and damage prevention in Illinois.
- Call 811 at least two business days before digging.
- Wait for marks and follow the tolerance zone rules.
- If your project is in or near a utility or village easement, coordinate with the utility or Shiloh Public Works before you begin.
Sidewalk rules and repairs in Shiloh
Shiloh requires sidewalks in most residential areas and sets design standards. Residential sidewalks must be at least 5 feet wide, and the street‑side edge should sit at least 4 feet from the curb to allow room for trees. You can review local placement and construction standards in the village’s sidewalk design requirements.
Shiloh also runs an inspection and repair program on a rotating basis. The village documents offsets and schedules repairs when measured thresholds are met. For example, offsets greater than 1 inch in higher‑priority areas like routes near parks or schools are marked and slated for repair as resources allow, and offsets greater than 2 inches trigger repairs in other residential areas. Timing depends on workforce and budget, as outlined in the Sidewalk Inspection and Repair Policy.
Who pays for sidewalk fixes
Shiloh’s policy shows the village plays a primary role in inspecting and scheduling many repairs, subject to budget and staff. That said, Illinois towns handle this differently and policies can change. If you see a trip hazard or offset, report it and ask about timing and any cost responsibilities using the village’s resident information and contacts.
Trees, parkways, and the right‑of‑way
Trees near the curb often sit in the public right‑of‑way or in utility easements. When utility or road work disturbs trees or shrubs, Shiloh’s code provides for restoration to a type and quality acceptable to the village, with species and placement chosen for safety, clear zones, and sewer locations. See the village’s provisions on tree replacement after excavation.
If a tree stands in an easement or right‑of‑way, the easement holder or the village may need to prune or remove it if it interferes with service or safety. The exact rights come from the recorded easement and local code. For context on utility rights and owner limits within easements, review this Illinois‑based easement guidance.
Planning to plant or remove a tree
- Check your deed, plat, and survey for easement lines before you plant or remove.
- Contact Shiloh Public Works if work affects the parkway or public right‑of‑way.
- Call JULIE at 811 before any digging, even for a single tree or fence post.
- If there is an HOA, confirm any rules about street trees or front landscaping.
Winter sidewalk basics and liability
Illinois courts generally follow the “natural accumulation” rule. Property owners are not usually liable for injuries caused by natural accumulations of snow or ice, but liability can arise when an owner causes an unnatural accumulation or allows a property defect to create a hazard. For background, see Illinois case law on the natural accumulation doctrine.
To reduce risk, keep downspouts from draining across walks, avoid piling snow where meltwater will refreeze on the sidewalk, and monitor slick spots during freeze‑thaw cycles. Also check any local rules that may require snow clearance in certain districts.
Quick checklists you can use
If you are buying in Shiloh
- Ask the seller for the title commitment, subdivision plat, and any disclosures about sidewalk or tree issues.
- Order a current survey and have the title company explain easement exceptions.
- Ask about any history of village repairs or notices at the property.
- If you see a hazard, contact Shiloh Public Works and ask whether repairs are planned. Use the Recorder of Deeds to review recorded easements.
If you own and plan a project
- Call JULIE at 811 two business days before digging.
- Check your plat and survey for easements and confirm any permits with the village.
- Coordinate with utilities or the village if work is in an easement or the parkway.
If you are selling
- Disclose known easements and any sidewalk or tree issues.
- Provide copies of plats, surveys, and any prior village notices to buyers and the title company.
- Encourage buyers to complete survey and title review through closing.
Who to contact in Shiloh
- Sidewalk hazards, parkway trees, and general public works questions: start with the village’s resident information and contacts. The Public Works team can guide inspections, reporting, and permits.
- Recorded documents and plats: the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds offers access to deeds, plats, and easement records.
Ready for local help as you buy or sell around Shiloh’s neighborhoods? Reach out for guidance that blends practical know‑how with clear next steps. Connect with Delores Doussard for a friendly, no‑pressure conversation about your plans.
FAQs
What is a property easement in Shiloh and how does it affect me?
- An easement is a legal right that allows another party to use part of your land for a defined purpose, such as utilities or access, which can limit where you build or plant while you still own the land.
How do I check if my Shiloh lot has utility easements?
- Review your title commitment and survey, then search deeds and plats with the St. Clair County Recorder of Deeds or ask a title company to explain recorded easements.
Who fixes raised sidewalks in Shiloh when tree roots cause offsets?
- The village inspects and schedules repairs based on measured thresholds and available resources, so report hazards to Public Works and ask about timing for your location.
Can the village or a utility remove a tree within an easement on my property?
- Yes, if the tree is in a recorded easement or right‑of‑way and it interferes with service or safety, the easement holder or village may prune or remove it according to the easement terms.
Do I need to call 811 before planting a tree or installing a fence?
- Yes, Illinois law requires calling JULIE at 811 before any digging, and utilities will mark underground lines for free so you can dig safely.
