Department Information
7607 W. College Dr.
Hours: M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Welcome to the City of Palos Heights Building Department homepage. We hope that this website will help guide you in your building project. Permits are required for most home improvements, see our list of permit applications at the bottom of this page to check if there is an application for the type of work you will be doing. If you do not see the type of work listed, please give us a call and check to see a permit is needed.
For Residential New Construction and Additions
Before a building permit can be issued, it will be necessary to submit the following:
- Building Permit Application
- Four sets of blueprints (signed and stamped, each page)
- A license for each contractor (See Contractor's License Application)
- At the time of application, an escrow account will need to be set-up for our City Engineer. For New Construction, an escrow amount of $5,000 is required. For additions that require foundations, an escrow amount of $1,000 is required. Any funds not used from these accounts will be refunded once the entire project is completed (including landscaping and final grading).
- Site Plan/Topographical Survey (required if any ground is broken)
- Showing building plotted on location drawing, containing elevations.
- Foundation Location/Spot Survey
- Upon completion of foundation, contractor must submit to the Building Department a Foundation Location/Spot Survey of the foundation on the lot giving all front, side, and rear yard dimensions. A survey prepared by anyone but a licensed surveyor will not be acceptable.
- Contractor must NOT proceed with construction until the City Engineer has approved the Foundation Location/ Spot Survey.
- The plumbing inspector will turn off the water at the Buffalo Box following the final inspection. When the Occupancy Permit is issued, water will then be turned on, the meter sealed and read by the water department.
- Model homes will be billed for water the same as a resident when completed.
- State law requires a residential smoke detector on each habitable level, any rise of seven inches or more constitute a level. Detector shall be powered by 110-volt supply on separate circuit and shall also be equipped with a batter back-up system. Smoke detectors shall cause the actuation of all other smoke detectors on the residence.
Building Height Worksheet
Construction Packet
THE BUILDING CANNOT BE OCCUPIED
WITHOUT AN OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATE
For Commercial/Industrial New Construction Instructions, Click Here
Contractor Licensing
All contractors wishing to work in our City need to obtain a City of Palos Heights Contractor’s License (please see the application to review our requirements). It is the responsibility of the general contractor to inform any subcontractors about our licensing requirement. The Building Department will not release permits until all contractors for the project are licensed.
2010 Contractor's License Application
The following is a list of Building Codes that the City of
Palos Heights follows:
-
Cook
County Plumbing Code
-
Chicago Electric Electrical Code
-
International
Building Code 2006
- International Private Sewerage Disposal Code 2006, MWRD & City of
Palos
Heights
- ICC Performance Code For Building and Facilities 2006
- International Mechanical Code 2006
- International Zoning Code 2006 & City of
Palos
Heights
- International Fuel and Gas Code 2006
- International Energy Conservation Code 2006
- Life Safety Code NFPA 101
- International Residential Code For One and Two Families 2006
- International Fire Code 2006
An electronic version of the Code of Ordinances for the City of Palos Heights is available through the American Legal Publishing website.
Permit Applications
Below is a list of permit applications, available in the PDF or Word document (.doc) format.
Above Ground Pool
Above Ground Tank
Attached Garage
Commercial Occupancy
Construction Trailer
Deck
Demolition
Driveway
Detatched Garage
Electrical Work
Fence
Finished Basement
Fire Alarm
Fire Sprinkler
Hot Tub/Spa
In-Ground Pool
Lawn Sprinkler
Miscellaneous
Patio
Pergola
Permanent Sign
Plumbing
POD (Movable Storage)
Retaining Wall
Roofing
Screen Room
Sewer/ Water Repair
Shed
Sidewalk Replacement
Siding
Temporary Sign
Temporary Tent
Trailer
Tree Removal
If you have further questions, please contact me at (708) 361-1804.
James J. Dougherty
Building Commissioner
