- When is a Building Permit required?
- What Village Codes regulate construction?
- How do I obtain a Building Permit Application?
- When does the Village require that an architect prepare the plans?
- What types of fees are associated with Building Permits?
- How long will it take to review and approve a residential Building Permit (i.e., additions, remodeling, fences, pools, driveways)?
- Can a Building Permit expire?
- How are inspections scheduled?
- Is it necessary to have licensed and bonded contractors to perform work in Lincolnshire?
- Where on the site should a Building Permit be displayed?
- Who do I contact if construction is taking place without a Building Permit displayed?
- What is a Certificate of Occupancy, and how do I obtain one?
1. When is a Building Permit required?
Residential - A Building Permit is required for just about every project you complete with tools, except decorating (i.e. painting, trim work, carpet, etc.). The Village Code defines required permits as follows, “a building permit is required prior to starting any construction, alteration, addition, removal, demolition or restoration of any building or structure or its service equipment.” Common examples of work not requiring a permit include painting, new floor installation, window replacement with the same size window, replacing siding, installing an underground dog fence, etc. Selected examples of projects requiring building permits are decks, fences, lawn irrigation systems, enlarging a window, replacing kitchen cabinets, gazebos, patios, any electrical or plumbing work, and erecting walls. If you are unsure about the necessity of a permit for a particular project, please contact the Community Development Department at 847-883-8600.
Commercial - A Building Permit is required for just about every project you complete with tools. The Village Code states, “a building permit is required prior to starting any construction, alteration, addition, removal, demolition or restoration of any building or structure or its service equipment.” Examples of work not requiring a permit include painting, new floor installation, and installing security and sound systems. However, in most cases, contacting the Community and Economic Development Department is highly recommended. Almost all projects in commercial buildings require a building permit because they affect the safety and well-being of the owner and the public.
2. What Village Codes regulate construction?
Residential
2018 International Residential Code
2017 National Electric Code
Current Illinois State Plumbing Code
2018 International Mechanical Code
2018 International Energy Conservation Code (w/State of Illinois amendments)
2018 International Property Maintenance Code
2018 International Fuel Gas Code
Current Village of Lincolnshire Municipal Code
Commercial
2018 International Building Code
2017 National Electric Code
Current Illinois State Plumbing Code
2018 International Mechanical Code
2018 International Energy Conservation Code (w/State of Illinois amendments)
2018 International Property Maintenance Code
2018 International Fire Code
2018 International Fuel Gas Code
2006 National Fire Protection Association - 101 Life Safety Code
Current Illinois Accessibility Code
Current Village of Lincolnshire Municipal Code
3. How do I obtain a Building Permit Application?
Contact or visit the Community Development Department, or download the application. The building permit application must be completed and all supplemental information must be adequate prior to submission. Department Staff can be reached by phone at 847-883-8600 or by fax at 847-883-8608 to request an application or to answer any questions.
4. When does the Village require that an architect prepare the plans?
Residential - Documents are required to be stamped and sealed by a licensed design professional when the construction is beyond the prescriptive requirements of the International Residential Code. Although many projects can be performed without an architect, their assistance is highly recommended. There are many requirements Architects are aware of that can ease the permit process greatly.
Commercial - All documents are required to be stamped and sealed by a licensed design professional.
5. What types of fees are associated with Building Permits?
In most cases, the type of project dictates the required fees. For example, small projects have set fees; fences and roofing have a minimum $50 fee. However, most permits are calculated using information supplied by the applicant on the building permit application. All Village building fees are listed in Section 1-15 (Comprehensive fee Schedule) of the Village of Lincolnshire Municipal Code. Please contact the Community and Economic Development Department at 847-883-8600, if you have any questions regarding particular fees.
6. How long will it take to review and approve a residential Building Permit (e.g., additions, remodeling, fences, pools, driveways)?
Village Code requires a three-week turnaround for residential permits and a six-week turnaround for commercial permits. However, reviews for smaller projects (e.g., fences, pools, driveways, patios) are typically completed in a shorter period of time. Larger projects are more complex and rarely comply with all Code requirements in the first submittal. Village staff balance timeliness and accuracy with all reviews.
7. Can a Building Permit expire?
There are several expiration periods associated with building permits:
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All permits issued through the Village are valid for 12 months from the date of issuance.
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Should a building permit application that is “in-process” sit idle for a period of six months prior to its approval, the application and all supporting documentation will be returned or discarded, the application will be voided, and all costs associated with the permit are required to be paid.
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When a building permit is issued and no substantial work occurs for any six-month period, the building permit is voided, work is stopped and the entire permit process must be restarted, including the repayment of all fines and additional fees.
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Following the approval of the construction documents, the applicant has six months to pay for and acquire the actual building permit. If this doesn’t occur, the information will be returned or discarded, the permit will be voided, and all costs associated with the permit must be paid.
Complete information can be found in the Village Code Section 5-2-2-1.
8. How are inspections scheduled?
The Community and Economic Development Department must be notified at least 24 hours in advance of each inspection. When requesting an inspection requiring the presence of the Fire District, a 48-hour notice must be provided. In addition, the following information should be ready when calling to request an inspection:
- Address and suite number (if applicable)
- Permit number
- Type of inspection
- Contact person's name and phone number
- Requested inspection time. Although specific times for inspections can not be scheduled, see the chart below to determine your requested time:
Early morning - 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.
Late morning - 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Early afternoon - 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
Late afternoon - 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Schedule inspections any time on the Building Division Inspection Line at 847-913-2325. Inspection requests received before 4 p.m. Monday - Friday can be scheduled for the next business day (except for Fire District inspections) Requests received after 4 p.m. or on holidays and weekends may be scheduled for the second business day after the request.
9. Is it necessary to have licensed and bonded contractors to perform work in Lincolnshire?
Currently, the Village does not require licensing and bonding. However, plumbers and roofers are required by the State of Illinois to be licensed with the State, and electricians shall be licensed through a nearby community. Those licenses must be on file with the Village when those contractors are doing work.
10. Where on the site should a Building Permit be displayed?
The building permit placard is required to be placed, whether inside or outside a structure so it is viewable from the street.
11. Who do I contact if construction is taking place without a Building Permit displayed?
Contact the Community and Economic Development Department at 847-883-8600.
12. What is a Certificate of Occupancy, and how do I obtain one?
A Certificate of Occupancy is a document received following the completion of a project, provided all final inspections are approved by all applicable Village departments. The applicant should complete an application for a Certificate of Occupancy from the Community and Economic Development Department. There is a fee associated with the Final Certificate of Occupancy which is included in the building permit fee. However, when requesting a temporary Certificate of Occupancy, an additional fee ($125.00 residential and $270 - $800, based on sq. ft., commercial), along with a cash bond in an amount equal to the unfinished work, will be required.