Building Permits & Inspections

Building permits are required for all improvements that are $1,000 in cost and higher.  This includes labor and materials. Even if you are doing the project yourself your labor costs must be included in the cost.

Building permits are used by the assessor to help them make a fair assessment of properties.  If you get a permit, the assessor will raise the value of your assessment (not as much as your project costs) but based on a formula they use. A complete and accurate valuation benefits the homeowner and the Village. 

If you make improvements with no permit this will be noticed when the Village does a total reevaluation.  So, at that time your value will increase much more than gradual values when you get a permit. 

If you feel the improvements you are making will increase the price of your home when you sell, then you should get a building permit.

Village Ordinance:

Sec. 50-22. - Building permits and inspection.

• Permit required. No building of any part thereof shall hereafter be erected within the village or ground broken for the same, except as hereinafter provided, until a permit therefor shall first have been obtained from the building inspector by the owner, or his authorized agent. The term "building," as used in this section, includes any building or structure, and any enlargement, alteration of home or basement, heating or ventilating installation, plumbing, sign, building moving, building razing, or anything affecting the fire hazards or safety of any building or structure.
•  Application for a building permit shall be made in writing upon a form furnished by the building inspector and shall state the name and address of the owner of the land and also the owner of the building if different, the legal description of the land upon which the building is to be located, the name and address of the designer, the use to which the building is to be put, and such other information as the building inspector may require.