Permits

Most projects, from large commercial buildings to small residential improvements (such as decks, fences, pools, hot water heaters, furnaces, and air conditioners) require a building permit. Permits help ensure that your project is constructed safely. To determine if the work you are contemplating requires a permit, please call us at 815-356-3605 and the Building Division will help you make a determination.

Permits and inspections are needed to allow the Building Division the ability to ensure that each project meets the minimum requirements of the adopted building codes and City Ordinances. The review and inspection process provides the means for the Building Division to protect the public by reducing the potential hazards of unsafe construction.

Please submit the application for permit before you begin your project to avoid any unnecessary delay or fines.

The building permit process involves three main steps: application and submittal, plan review and inspection.

APPLICTION AND SUBMITTAL

In order to provide the quickest and most thorough code review of a proposed construction project, a complete submittal is required. You can review the items required for each type of permit by clicking on the following links: Residential, Commercial/Industrial, Miscellaneous.

When a permit submittal is received, it is checked at the front counter for completeness. At this time, items like the Application, Site Plan and Building Plans are given a cursory check to ensure there is adequate information for a thorough code review. If any items on the plans or from the Checklist are not included, they will be noted and the entire submittal may be returned with a request to include the additional items.

PLAN REVIEW

Complete submittals are logged in and routed to Building Division staff for plan review. Depending on the project, the submittal may be routed to other departments as well (e.g. Engineering, Fire, Planning, Plumbing and Public Works). During the plan review, a determination is made regarding the allowable use of the project at the particular location. The plan review process can often reveal issues that the City can make the applicant aware of prior to beginning construction. Many times this avoids having the violations first noticed on an inspection – and the need to remove work.

City staff makes every attempt to process building permit submittals as expeditiously as possible, upon receipt of a complete submittal. Residential permit applications will be reviewed within 10 working days or less. Commercial and industrial permit applications are given a time frame of 10-15 working days to process the initial review. If any substantial deficiencies/code violations are found, comments are sent (fax, email or mail) to the applicant and a resubmittal requested. Resubmittals are typically given 5 working days to process the re-review.

When all staff members reviewing the plans approve them as is (or with minor permit conditions), the submittal is forwarded to the Building Commissioner for signing, then to the Permit Assistants for processing and issuance. This final step takes 1 or 2 days, after which the applicant is notified of the permit fee due and that the permit is ready to be picked up.

INSPECTION

All permitted work in the City must be inspected by staff, and each project requires a final inspection. For a list of inspections required for various projects and a description of the procedure for requesting inspections, please see the Inspections page.

Inspections are needed to ensure the work is built according to the approved plans. This is the primary way the City ensures the buildings are properly constructed – meeting structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire and life safety requirements. Inspections are conducted by Building Division staff (and possibly Fire and Engineering).

In-Progress Inspections

Certain projects require an in-progress inspection.  In-progress inspections are performed to ensure the proper installation of windows, doors, siding, and roofs.  An in-progress inspection is required to be performed during the early stages of the installation.  Windows and doors are inspected to ensure that the proper flashing is installed and that the manufacturers installation instructions are followed.  Roofs are inspected to verify that the ice barrier protection and underlayment has been installed correctly.  The number and type of roof vents are also checked for code compliance. 

It is the responsibility of the owner an the contractor to coordinate and schedule the in-progress inspection.  Every effort will be made to accommodate a request for an in-progress inspection.  Same day inspections will be accepted, and the inspection performed as quickly as possible.  However, to ensure timely inspections, all requests should be made 24 hours in advance.

LINKS 

Commercial/Industrial Building Permit Application 
Residential Permit Application
Simplified Building Permit Application
Residential Permits
Commercial/Industrial Permits
Miscellaneous Permits
Inspections
Building Codes
Contractor Bonds
Permit Fees