Get a Building Permit

The Village of North Riverside issues building permits for a number of different types of construction activities.  In order to help applicants understand the basic submittal requirements and estimated timeframes for each type of building permit, Staff has assembled the following information.  Permit review time is seven to ten business days. If you have any questions on how your project may fit into one of these categories, please contact the Village’s Community Development Department at (708) 762-5922.

APPLICATION FOR BUILDING PERMIT

  2. Application for Building permit

  77. This application shall be accompanied by two sets of plans or more as needed, including all specifications, also survey plat in duplicate of the premises showing the location of all proposed building and existing buildings. The plat shall be complete with dimensions of premises and building. 

    Having submitted the plans and specifications, I hereby apply to the community Development Department of the Village of North Riverside, Illinois for a permit to perform the above-mentioned work. if this permit is granted I will comply with all the Village ordinances relating to the permit and pay all fees required. I will submit this work to the required inspections and prohibit the occupancy of any space until a Certificate of Compliance and Occupancy has been obtained from the building inspector. Work to begin within 30 day of issuance of permit. All work covered by the permit is to be completed within one year from date of permit.

     No error or omission in either the plans or application, whether said plans or application have been approved by the Building inspector or not, shell permit or relieve the applicant from constructing the work in any other manner than that provided for in the Ordinance of this Village relating thereto. The applicant having read this application and fully understanding the intent thereof declares that the statement made are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. 

  79. Permit fee: Non-Refundable               work must start within 90 days of permit, or permit is null and void. 

  81. Electronic Signature Agreement*

    By checking the "I agree" box below, you agree and acknowledge that 1) your application will not be signed in the sense of a traditional paper document, 2) by signing in this alternate manner, you authorize your electronic signature to be valid and binding upon you to the same force and effect as a handwritten signature, and 3) you may still be required to provide a traditional signature at a later date.

    88. Leave This Blank:

  90. This field is not part of the form submission.

Residential Building Permits Submittal Requirements:  

Window Replacement, Gutters, Door Replacement, Tuckpointing, Residential Roof, Hot Water Heater Replacement, Siding

  • Permit Application
  • Scope of Work/Copy of Contract
  • Homeowner Waiver Form (If Work Is Being Done by Homeowner)

Residential “Interior Remodel” Permits Submittal Requirements: 

  • Permit Application
  • Detailed Scope of Work
  • Two Sets of Drawings Showing Existing and Proposed Layout – Rooms Must Be Labeled (All Structural Work Requires Stamped Drawings prepared by an Illinois Architect or Structural Engineer)
  • Water Demand Schedule (If Applicable)
  • Copy of Contract(s) from Contractor(s)
  • Isometric Drawing for Plumbing (If Applicable)
  • Homeowner Waiver Form (If Work Is Being Done by Homeowner)

Residential “Accessory Structure” Building Permits Submittal Requirements:

  • Permit Application
  • Scope of Work/Copy of Contract
  • Drawings (If Applicable)
  • Plat of Survey 
  • Homeowner Waiver Form (If Work Is Being Done by Homeowner)

Permit Submittal for Concrete Work Submittal Requirements:

  • Building Permit Application
  • Copy of Plat of Survey:

            1.  New Concrete:  Mark Location and Dimensions of New Concrete

            2.  Replacement:  Highlight Location of Concrete on Survey

  • Copy of Contract (If Applicable)
  • Provide material detail including: base course material/thickness, concrete thickness/PSI and wire or fiber mesh for patio area (R106, 2009 IRC).

15.24.070 - Drives, aprons and sidewalks.

  1. Single-family driveways and off-street parking areas shall have a minimum base of four inches of compacted stone and five inches of concrete with wire or fiber mesh.
  2. Approaches shall have a minimum of five inches of compacted stone and five inches of concrete.  No mesh of any type is permitted.
  3. Private sidewalks shall have a minimum base of four inches of compacted stone and five inches of concrete. 
  4. Expansion joint must be used where new concrete connects with existing concrete. 

           *Concrete over 400 square feet requires a grading permit*

Electrical Permit Submittal Requirements:

  • Building Permit Application
  • Copy of Contract
  • Provide one-line service diagram with clearance detail (Article 230, 2008 NEC).
  • Provide full grounding detail (Article 250, 2008 NEC).
  • Provide panel schedule (Article 408, 2008 NEC).
  • Per Village Amendment:  Service disconnect required at exterior.
  • Per Village Amendment:  Only copper wire permitted.
  • Per Village Amendment:  Electric must be in metal conduit.

Furnace and Air Conditioner Permit Submittal Requirements:

  • Building Permit Application
  • Cut Sheets
  • Copy of Contract
  • Location of Unit (A/C only)
  • Indicate location of AC unit and distance from applicable lot lines (R106, 2009 IRC)
  • Provide AC and furnace manufacture specifications (R106, 2009 IRC)

           *Air Conditioners are not permitted in a side yard setback*

Swimming Pool Permit Submittal Requirements:

  • Building Permit Application
  • Specs on Pool
  • Specs on Heater
  • Plat of Survey-Marked to show the following:
    • Location and Dimensions of Pool
    • Distance from House
    • Dimensions from All Lot Lines
    • Location of Overhead Electrical Wires and Distance from Pool Wall
    • Location of Pump and Outlet
    • Location, Height and Style of Fence 

15.32.040 - Location.

No portion of a swimming pool hereafter installed, constructed, erected or altered shall be located at a distance of less than ten feet from a main building, less than five feet from, the rear or side lot line. Pumps, filters and pool water disinfecting equipment installation shall be located at a distance of not less than five feet from any side property line.

15.32.050 - Fences or covers.

All swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a fence erected around the periphery of the pool, around the section of the property on which the pool is located, or around the pool owner's property in conformance with other applicable provisions of the ordinances of the village with regard to fences. Any such fence shall be 4 feet in height and shall be constructed of a sturdy material. All openings in any such fence or other structure shall be equipped with gates or doors with a self-closing and self-latching device designed to keep and capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed at all times when not in actual use and to prevent small children from opening said door or gate; provided, however, that the door of any dwelling and forming any part of the enclosure hereinabove required need not be so equipped.

15.32.060 - Electrical equipment.

All electrical installations provided for, installed, and used in conjunction with swimming pools shall be in conformance with village electrical code. No overhead current carrying electrical conductors, to include communication low-voltage wiring, shall cross swimming pools, overhead within ten feet of such pools. All metal fences, enclosures or railings near or adjacent to swimming pools, which might become electrically alive as a result of contact with broken overhead conductors, or from any other cause, shall be effectively grounded.

15.32.090 - Operation and maintenance.

No swimming pool shall be made use of between the hours of eleven p.m. and six a.m. A suitable substantial protective cover shall be provided and installed over all swimming pools' surfaces during the nonswimming season or when residents may leave for a period of more than three days. Every pool shall be so designed and constructed as to facilitate cleaning and shall be maintained and operated in such manner as to be clean and sanitary at all times.

Fence Permit Submittal Requirements:

  • Two copies engineered stamped 11”x17” plat of survey, showing the proposed location and measurements of the new fence in relation to the house and lot lines.
  • A materials list describing the type of fencing materials you plan to use and the height of your proposed fence.
  • Permit application with contractor information.

Fence Requirements:

  • The finish side of all fences shall face away from the interior of fenced property.
  • Minimum of eleven (11) gauge thickness required on all chain line or wire mesh fences.
  • No fence shall be erected with barbed wire or other hazardous devices or material.
  • No fence shall have an electrical charge or other hazardous device.
  • Recommend fences must be installed 3” to 6” inches from property lines to avoid neighbor disputes.
  • Post holes must be a minimum of 36 inches deep.
  • Maximum height of fence permitted is 6 feet.

15.20.050 - Construction Standards. 

  1.    All fences shall be built, installed, erected, reconstructed, restored, replaced, or extended in a good and workmanlike manner. No structural components of a fence, other than the structural components of a brick or stone fence, shall exceed six inches in width. All fences shall be securely anchored in the ground. All fences shall be built, installed, erected, reconstructed, restored, replaced, or extended so that all posts and other structural components, and the unfinished side of the fence, if any, shall face into the lot on which the fence is placed. Fences shall be constructed of wood, aluminum, wrought iron, brick, stone, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). 
  2.    The height of all fences shall be measured from the existing natural grade on which the fence is located, as determined by the village inspector, to the top of the fence. 
  3.    All fences shall be maintained in good condition. All posts and other structural elements shall be removed when the fence or any portion of the fence is removed.

15.20.060 - Residential fences—Location.

Subject to the terms of the following two sentences of this section, fences constructed in a residential zoning district on parcels having a lot width less than fifty feet shall be installed only on that portion of a lot measured from the rear foundation line of the dwelling to the rear property line. No fence shall be constructed on that portion of a lot measured from the rear foundation line of the dwelling to the front yard setback or front foundation line of the primary structure, whichever is greater, except for those lots with dwellings having a side entrance door or with a lot width greater than fifty feet. If a dwelling on a parcel having a lot width of less than fifty feet has a side entrance door, the fence may extend two feet beyond the side door, step or platform toward the front property line.

15.20.070 - Fences—Visibility. 

Fences shall not be installed in those areas which, if installed, would interfere with the vision of drivers of vehicles traveling upon the adjoining public rights-of-way or improved alley. The setback of such fence shall not extend within ten feet of the intersection of the public rights-of-way or the public sidewalk and the improved alley. 

Generator Permit Submittal Requirements:

  • Permit Application
  • Gas Line Material
  • Specs for Generator
  • Plat of Survey – Marked to Show the Following:
  • Location of Generator
  • Distance from Lot Lines
  • Location of Gas Line
  • Location of Electrical Line

Deck Permits Submittal Requirements:

  • Building permit application.
  • Plat of survey showing the proposed location of the deck with dimensions and distance to all lot lines.
  • A detailed construction drawing of the deck consisting of the following parts:  footings, post, beams, joist, decking, stairs and railings (see attached minimum construction specifications).
  • A letter of approval from homeowners association or Landlord, if applicable
  • Name, address and phone number of contractor(s) installing the deck.  All contractors must be bonded and licensed with the Village of North Riverside before any permits are issued.  Permit approval requires a minimum of 7 business days.  Call J.U.L.I.E. at 1-800-892-0123 prior to any digging.

Stairs

Minimum width is 36 inches.  Stairs shall have a maximum 7 ¾ inch risers and minimum 10 inch treads.

Handrails

Handrails are required with stairways having more than two risers.  The top shall be not less than 34 inches or more than 38 inches above the noising of the tread.  Handrail ends shall be returned or terminated in posts.  The hand grip shall not be less than 1 ¼ inches or more than 2 inches in cross sectional dimensions or the shape shall provide an equivalent gripping surface with no sharp corners.

Guardrails

Guardrails are required on all decks more than 30 inches above grade or other lower surface.  Rail must be 36 inches minimum height.  Open guardrails and stair railings must be intermediate rails that a four inches sphere cannot pass through.

Sewer Repair/Service Line Repair Submittal Requirements:

  • Permit Timeframe – Reviewed and approved by the Plumbing Inspector within 48 hours of receipt of the permit application.
  • Permit Application
  • Scope of Work/Copy of Contract
  • Drawings Show Location of Repair
  • Homeowner Waiver Form (If Work Is Being Done by Homeowner)
  • $250 Restoration Bond (if working in the Village parkway)

Flood Control Permits Submittal Requirements:

  • Permit Application
  • Scope of Work/Copy of Contract
  • Drawings Show Location of Repair
  • Homeowner Waiver Form (If Work Is Being Done by Homeowner)

Garage/Accessory Building Submittal Requirements:

  • Permit Application
  • Two Sets of Drawings
  • Plat of Survey 
  • Grading Permit Required for New Construction
  • Copy of Cook County Demolition Permit

Residential “Room Addition” Permits:

Permit Timeframe – Initial Plan Review completed within 7-10 business days.  If plans meet Village code requirements, permit can be issued.  Plans that need revisions will require a second plan review within 5-7 business days.  Please note that any addition that exceeds 400 sq. ft. in size on the first floor will require the review and approval of the Village Engineer.  The Engineer’s review can be done concurrent to the building plan review and will take approximately 21 business days.  Once plans meet all Village code requirements, the permit can be issued.

Submittal Requirements

  • Three Sets of Drawings-Stamped by Licensed Illinois Architect or Structural Engineer
  • Permit Application
  • List of Contractors
  • Grading Permit Required for Adding 400 Square Feet to First Floor
  • Two Copies of Topographical Survey Showing Existing and Proposed Conditions – Reviewed and approved by the Village Engineer

New Construction:  

Permit Timeframe – Initial Plan Review completed within 7-10 business days.  If plans meet Village code requirements, permit can be issued.  Plans that need revisions will require a second plan review within 7-10 business days.  Please note timeframes for the Village Engineer and MWRD are to be determined depending the size and scope of the new building construction.  Once plans meet all Village code requirements, the permit can be issued.  

Submittal Requirements:

  • Permit Application
  • Three Sets of Stamped Drawings by Illinois Licensed Architect or Structural Engineer
  • Cook County Demolition Permit (If Applicable)
  • Civil Engineering Drawings.  The Engineer’s review can be done concurrent to the building plan review and will be dependent on the size and scope of the planned construction.     
  • MWRD Permit Approval (If Applicable). Please note that MWRD approval processes are controlled by that agency.
  • List of Contractors

Grading Permit – Related to New Construction:

Permit Timeframe – Requires the review and approval by the Village Engineer.  The Engineer’s review will take approximately 21 business days.  

Submittal Requirements

  • Permit Application
  • Two Copies of Topographical Survey Showing Existing and Proposed Conditions-Reviewed by Village Engineer –Review Time Extended to 21 Business Days
  • Plat of Survey

Permit Fee Schedule:

Windows, Doors, Decks, Siding, Gutters, Concrete, Pools, Tuckpointing, 

Permit Fee is based on the cost of construction and is $18.15 for first $1000.00 increment and an additional $16.75 for each additional $1000.00 increment, plus a $40.00 review fee.

Roofs                                                 $56.25 Per Structure, Plus $40.00 Review Fee

Fence                                                 $56.25, Plus $40.00 Review Fee                              

Sheds                                                 $56.25, Plus $40.00 Review Fee

Furnace/Air Conditioning                   $56.25, Per Structure, Plus $40.00 Review Fee                                              

Plumbing                                            $56.25, Plus $40.00 Review Fee

Overhead Sewers                               $96.25, Plus $40.00 Review Fee 

Sewer Repair                                      $56.25, Plus $40.00 Review Fee

Electrical                                             $56.25, Plus $40.00 Review Fee

100 Amp Service                                $132.75, Plus $40.00 Review Fee

200 Amp Service                                $146.65, Plus $40.00 Review Fee

Pre-Sale Inspection                            $405.00 (Residential)

Remodels                                           4.5% of Cost of Construction          

Garages                                             4.5% of Cost of Construction, Plus $250.00 for Restoration Bond

Addition                                              4.5% of Cost of Construction, Plus Restoration Bond


IMPORTANT:  Contact J.U.L.I.E. at (800) 892-0123 so that the utility lines can be marked on the public easements. Utility line damage from the installation of fences prior to locating buried lines shall be the responsibility of the party cutting the line(s).

Inspections are conducted on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 9am and 1pm.  To schedule an inspection, please contact the Community Development Department at (708) 762-5922.