Elgin Il Building Department (2024)

FAQs

What can a homeowner do without a permit in Illinois? ›

A building permit is not required for the following types of work: Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, installing cabinets or countertops, or performing similar finish work, without plumbing or electrical connections.

SPECIAL EVENTS PERMITS To hold a special event, a special event permit must be obtained. For more information and to apply, please visit the Special Events page, email specialevents@cityofelgin.org or call the City of Elgin, Special Event Coordinator at 847-931-6770 and set up an appointment.

Once the office receives complete, code compliant information needed for the permit, residential permits usually take between 2-3 business days to complete the review process, while Commercial permits take an average of 14 business days to complete.

Please email permits@cityofelgin.org to request an inspection or call 311 or 847-931-6001 (outside of city limits) to request inspections.

If you are remodeling your bathroom, a permit is required. Permits are not required for countertop replacement, refacing of existing cabinets or replacement of cabinets same as existing layout with no electrical or plumbing changes. However, a permit may be required whenever bathroom cabinets are replaced or added.

Please note that a shed permit is required for any shed greater than 120 square feet. Also, any shed, no matter the dimension - including less than 120 square feet, must meet the City of Wheaton Zoning and Engineering laws outlined below.

FAQs • How many and what kinds of animals are allowed? How many and what kinds of animals are allowed? No person shall permit more than three (3) dogs to be kept in or about any single-family residence or more than two (2) dogs in any single-family unit of any multiple-family housing building within the city.

Garage Sale permits cost $5 each and no more than three (3) garage sale permits will be issued to a dwelling unit in any one calendar year.

Detached Garage

Shall be 6 feet from existing dwelling. Shall be at least 5 feet from rear lot line and 5 feet from side lot line. The measurements for a detached garage shall be no less than 10 feet in width and no more than 25 feet in depth.

Every contractor has their process for pulling the necessary permits before beginning a project. However, the most transparent and responsible route is for the licensed business doing the work to be the party that obtains authorization.

How much is a building permit in Illinois? ›

You may be surprised that the state of Illinois does not require masonry or tuckpointing contractors to have a license. Instead the decision to license or not is left up to individual municipalities. This makes it even more important to do your due diligence when hiring a contractor to tuckpoint your buildings.

Elgin resides in Kane County and Cook County. A portion of Hanover Township is located within Cook County, and Elgin Township, Plato Township, Rutland Township, Dundee Township, and Campton Township are located within Kane County.

Dial 311 from any phone. If you're outside the city limits, dial 847-931-6001. Send a request via email: elgin311@cityofelgin.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How do I contact Chicago about building permits? To talk to someone or get assistance with your Chicago building permit, contact the Department of Buildings at dob-info@cityofchicago.org or by calling 312-744-3449.

A licensed general contractor (any class) is always required. In some cases, an owner may act as general contractor. An Illinois-licensed roofing contractor is required as either the general contractor or a subcontractor.

A building permit is required to erect a deck, regardless of size or type. service and septic tanks or septic fields. Minimum setbacks from property lines vary for each zoning classification.

Electrical, Plumbing, and/or Mechanical work may require permit. New and/or replacement of existing structures (Deck, Fence, Garage, Shed, Pergolas/Gazebos, etc.) will require permit.

Residential Greenhouse Ordinance

If you want to put up a greenhouse on your own property, you will need to obey Chicago's Building Ordinance 13-96-570 building standards. The building department must approve the greenhouse you plan to erect on your property. The ordinance requires this.