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Community Development    Building Permits Info

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General Information

COMMERCIAL STRUCTURES (INCLUDING ADDITIONS)

• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• Six sets of stamped plans and specifications (seven sets if food establishment), including floor plan, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, wall sections, elevations, interior finishes, etc.
• Six Plats of Survey indicating proposed work.
• Three sets of stamped civil engineering drawings including water, sewer, grading and pavement details for new structure.

RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES (INCLUDING ADDITIONS)

• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• Five sets of stamped plans and specifications, including floor plan, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, wall sections, elevations, interior finishes, etc.
• Five Plats of Survey indicating proposed work.
• Three sets of stamped civil engineering drawings including water, sewer, grading and pavement details for new structure.

DECKS

• Two plats of survey indicating size (drawn to scale) and location.
• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• Two sets of detailed plans, showing materials used and framing, including dimensions, railing details, elevations, and steps.
• Postholes must be 42" deep.
• Design minimum 40lbs live load.
• Railings required if deck exceeds 30" in height above grade.
• Decks shall be setback 5’ from all lot lines and cannot be built on the easements.

DEMOLITION

• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• Two Plats of Survey indicating structure to be removed.
• Submit copy of Cook County EPA permit.
• Submit cut-off letters from all utility companies.
• Dumpsters may be temporarily located on private property.

DRIVEWAYS

• Two Plats of Survey indicating location, length and width.
• Completed DRIVEWAY permit application.
• If working in the ROW, a copy of City specifications will be attached as part of approved permit.
• Maximum width of driveway at sidewalk is 25’ with a 3’ flare to the curb cut on both sides. Maximum width of driveways in commercial or industrial areas is 35’.
• On corner lots driveways shall be set back 10’ from sidewalk abutting corner of lot.
• Driveways shall not exceed 50% of required front yard.
• Cover seal does not require permit.
• Concrete – 4" concrete over 4" CA-6 crushed stone.
• Asphalt – 2" asphalt over 6" CA-6 crushed stone.
• License agreement for pavers in the apron / ROW.

ELECTRIC

• Submit completed ELECTRIC permit application detailing nature of work to be done.

ELEVATOR

• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• Three sets of plans and specifications.

FENCES

• Two Plats of Survey indicating location and height of fence.
• Completed FENCE permit application.
• 6’ maximum height in side and rear yards, except corner lots.
• Fences in front yards shall not exceed 4’ in height and shall be 50% open. Front yard fences shall also be uniform in height, material, type and design.
• Enclosed fenced areas shall be provided with a gate.
• Fence posts shall be on owner’s side of fence.
• Fences shall not exceed 8’ in height in commercial and industrial areas.
• Barbed wire fences are not permitted without special approval of the Zoning Administrator.

GARAGES

• Two Plats of Survey indicating location of structure and setbacks from property lines and dwelling unit.
• Two sets of detailed plans.
• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• 5’ setback required from building wall to lot lines.
• Maximum garage size is 24’ x 30’. Maximum height allowed is 15’.
• Garages shall be set back 5’ from dwelling; garages that are set back less than 5’ must comply with the fire rating provisions of the Building Code.
• Electric is required in all garages.
• Combination of all sheds and garages shall not exceed 50% of the required rear yard.
• Hard surface required to garage apron. If necessary, apply for separate DRIVEWAY permit.

HEATING/AIR CONDITIONING

• Completed MECHANICAL permit application. Permit required for new or replacement.
• Electrical work requires licensed electrician.

LAWN SPRINKLER (UNDERGROUND)

• Completed PLUMBING permit application.
• Minimum of two Plats indicating proposed head locations.
• If there are heads in ROW, City Council must approve. Submit $220 application fee along with signed License Agreement, request for License Agreement, ROW permission form. These forms are available in Planning and Zoning.
• Licensed plumber must perform work.

PATIOS AND OTHER MISCELLANEOUS CONCRETE

• Two copies of Plat of Survey indicating location and size of patio, drawn to scale, or locating other concrete work to be done.

• Completed BUILDING permit application.

• Concrete patios may not extend more than 25’ from dwelling.

• Patios are allowed only behind the house.

• Concrete shall be a minimum of 4" below top of building foundation and pitch away from building at Ό" per foot. Drainage shall not be directed onto neighbor’s properties.

• Patios shall be set back 5’ from property lines and shall not be located on easements.

• Concrete shall be a minimum of 4" thickness on 4" granular fill.

• Paving brick permitted. Applicant to provide manufacturers specifications on installation.

PLUMBING/SEWER

• Completed PLUMBING permit application indicating work to be done.

ROOF

• Completed ROOF permit application.
• Maximum of 2 layers of shingles allowed.
• State of Illinois Roofing license required.

SHEDS

• Two Plats of Survey indicating location of structure and setbacks from property lines and dwelling.
• Two sets of plans, including framing materials to be used and anchoring system.
• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• Sheds shall be set back a minimum of 5’ from property lines and 5’ from dwellings.
• Maximum shed size is 10’x 12’. Shed shall not exceed 15’ in height.
• No more than one shed and one detached garage may be located on a lot.

SIDING

• Completed BUILDING permit application.

SIGNS

• Two Plats of Survey indicating location and setbacks of signs from property lines.
• Two plans indicating detail of sign and dimensions.
• Complete SIGN permit application.
• Portable movable signs are prohibited.
• Temporary signs must be attached to building and erected for a maximum 30 days 4 times per year with a 60-day interval between permits. A $200.00 cash refundable bond is required.
• Copy of electricians license, if applicable.

SWIMMING POOLS, SPAS, PONDS

• Permit is required for swimming pools, spas, ponds that are more than 2’ deep. Submit completed POOL permit application.
• Two copies of Plat of Survey required indicating location of proposed pool drawn to scale. The pool shall not encroach on any front or side yard. The wall of the pool shall not be less than 5’ from any rear or side property line or within 10’ of any street property line. The pool must be a minimum of 10’ from any overhead wires.
• Minimum 5’ high fence with self closing, locking gate around yard OR at perimeter of pool with swing-up, locking stair.
• Show source of water and power on drawings.
• Detailed construction drawing required for in ground pools.
• Statement of proposed grading changed required on Plat.
• If spa, indicate base for spa to sit on: deck, concrete, gravel, etc.

TANK INSTALLATION / REMOVAL (COMMERCIAL)

• Completed BUILDING permit application.
• Three sets of plans and specifications.
• State Fire Marshall’s permit.

WINDOW REPLACEMENT

• Complete BUILDING permit application.
• No permit required for replacement with no framing opening changes.
• Provide header details on framing plan.

*LICENSE AND BOND REQUIREMENTS AS ATTACHED APPLY TO ALL PERMIT TYPES*

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