Home>I Want To>Apply For>Building Permit

Building Permit

Planning a home improvement project? Here are some Quick Tips and Answers to Frequently Asked Questions to help your project go smoothly. Most home improvement projects require the issuance of a building permit before work begins. To confirm whether or not your project requires a building permit, please contact the Community Development Department at 847-810-3502.

Building permits are required to assure compliance with health and life safety building codes and protect your family and property. Permits and inspection results are kept on file in the City offices and are available for review by insurance companies in the event of a loss on the property and by potential future buyers of the property.

Application Process

All applicants are encouraged to submit permit applications and construction documents online via the City's web portal. City staff is available to assist you in the registration and application process. Submitting applications and construction documents digitally will allow the City to serve our customers more efficiently. Design professionals can provide digital plans for submittal, if necessary, City staff will assist in obtaining digital plans from design professionals. For smaller projects, plans printed on 8 1/2x11 or 11x17, staff is available to scan documents as necessary to convert them to a digital format.

City staff reviews all plans electronically. The final approved construction plans and documents will be made available on the City's web portal. Or, upon request, a copy can be emailed to the property owner or applicant. Property owners are responsible for providing a copy of the approved plans and documents to others who may need them. Upon request, the City will print a copy of the approved plans in an 11x17 format.

For your convenience, a checklist of permit submittal requirements is included in the permit application packets below. Help us to expedite the issuance of your permit by submitting a complete application including architectural and engineering plans if appropriate, contractor information and all required technical information. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

Plan review and permit fees can be paid in cash, by check, by credit card (a 2.95% fee is assessed for credit card transactions).

To apply for, pay for or schedule inspections online click here.

If you have not registered yet, please follow the prompts to register. Contact Carolynn Gaylord at 847-810-3521 if you need assistance.