BUILDING DEPARTMENT MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.   Where is the Building Department located and what are the office hours?

The Building Department is located at the Village Hall, 2301 East Sand Lake Road.  Inspectors may be contacted via telephone between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.  The department is not open on the weekends.

2.  Can homeowners perform their own work?

Yes, however building permits must still be obtained and the work must be in conformance with all relevant codes of the Village, State and Federal Governments.  The owner is ultimately responsible for proper compliance with all codes.

3.   Who should apply and pay for a permit?

An owner, his or her authorized agent or the general contractor (another type of owner authorized agent) performing the work may apply.

4.   Is Homeowners Association (HOA) approval required for a building permit?

There are numerous associations throughout the Village each having their own requirements (covenants).  Most require their review prior to applying for a building permit.  With very limited exceptions, official HOA approval, usually a formal letter by the HOA or their management company, is required to be submitted to the Building Department.

5.  If a Homeowners Association (HOA) approves a request for a special circumstance that is in violation of their covenants must the Building Department accept it?

No.  HOA covenants are law.  And unless legally modified, a HOA does not have the authority to override or circumvent the covenants of their subdivision.  The Building Department cannot approve permits that are in violation of the law.

6.  Are permits required for alterations to any part of a residence?

Yes.  Building permits allow the Village to review and monitor the proposed work to ensure all appropriate codes and ordinances are being followed.

7.   Must contractors be bonded or licensed?

Yes.  Though the Village is not a licensing body, permit bonds in the amount of $5,000.00 are required.  Plumbers who are licensed through the State must provide their license, home address and home telephone number.

8.  Is a permit required to replace a RESIDENTIAL driveway, concrete patio or walk?

No. However the Village has specific requirements for driveways that must be observed.  Please refer to the informational handout regarding residential driveways.  Commercial resurfacing, widening or modifications to drives and lots require permits.

9.   Can I apply for a permit through the mail or by fax?

Yes.  However facsimile transmissions are usually not to scale and quality may be too poor to accept.  Additional time may also be required for processing.  Mailed application materials can be sent to the Village.  Whether mailed or faxed in, the permit must be physically picked up and paid for at the Village Hall.

10.  How long does it take to review and process a building permit application? 

Permits for re-roofing, re-siding, non-structural window replacements, furnace or air conditioner replacements, water heater replacements, sewer repairs and electric service upgrades can generally be issued immediately, over the counter.  Other permits, depending upon the time of year and current workload of the Building Department, usually take an average of 7-10 working days after the date of receipt.  If information is missing OR your permit is ready for pick-up the Village will contact you.  More complex permits such as additions and new homes will take longer.

11.   Can I pay for the permit using a credit or debit card?

No.  The Village of Lindenhurst only accepts cash or checks.

12.   When and how do I schedule an inspection?

Inspections are scheduled with any of the Village Office Staff during regular business hours 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.  Please provide the type of inspection, permit number, site address and your telephone number.  Inspections require a minimum of 24-hours prior notice up to a maximum of 5-days advance notice.

13.   Must my plans be stamped by an architect?

The code states “construction documents for new construction, alteration, expansion, addition or modification for buildings or structures shall be prepared by a registered design professional…and shall be signed, sealed and dated.”  It is Village policy to waive this requirement for small jobs such as decks, gazebos, sheds, detached garages, etc., IF they are properly designed and formatted per industry standards.  If construction documents are, in the opinion of the Building Department, not to industry standards they will be rejected.  It is illegal to ask a design professional to “stamp your plans” as the law states construction documents “…must be prepared by them or under their direct supervision.”  All commercial work requires preparation by a licensed Illinois design professional in responsible charge of the project.

14.   How much does a permit cost?

Costs vary between permit types.  “Over-the-counter” permits have set fees but will vary; for example $37.00 for re-roofing and $57.00 for a furnace replacement.  Fees for decks, garages, additions and new construction have several fees involved and are computed by the Building Department.  A schedule of all fees can be found on the Village website at www.lindenhurstil.org Code of Ordinances link on the home or Building Department page.  Type in “building permit fee schedule” in the search field.

15.   How long is a permit valid?

Permits are valid administratively for 1-year.  If work is not started within 6-months from the time of issuance the permit is no longer valid.  If applications have outstanding questions to be answered by the applicant that are not addressed within 6-months, the application submittal will be discarded.

16.  My neighbor is building on or too close to my property, what can I do?

The Village of Lindenhurst does not issue permits to perform construction on property other than the listed owner.  Permit plans are reviewed for proper zoning setbacks and drainage from property lines.  Only problems arising from failure to follow permit plans will be addressed by the Building Department.  The Building Department does not act as a third party in boundary disputes.