Frequently Asked Questions

1. When is a Building Permit required?
2. What Village Codes regulate construction?
3. How do I obtain a Building Permit Application?
4. When does the Village require that an architect prepare the plans?
5. What types of fees are associated with Building Permits?
6. How long will it take to review and approve a residential Building Permit (i.e., additions, remodeling, fences, pools, driveways)?
7. Can a Building Permit expire?
8. How are inspections scheduled?
9. Is it necessary to have licensed and bonded contractors to perform work in Lincolnshire?
10. Where on the site should a Building Permit be displayed?
11. Who do I contact if construction is taking place without a Building Permit displayed?
12. 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, trimwork, 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 that does not require a permit include: replacing kitchen cabinets, painting, new floor installation, replacing a window with the same size window, replacing siding, installing underground dog fence etc. Selected examples of projects that do require Building Permits are: decks, fences, lawn irrigation systems, enlarging a window, gazebos, patios, any electrical or plumbing work, erecting walls, etc. 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, except decorating (i.e. Painting, trimwork, 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.” Examples of work that does not require a permit include: painting, new floor installation, installing security and sound systems, etc. However, in most cases, contacting the Community Development Department is highly recommended. The reason that almost all projects which occur in commercial buildings require Building Permits is that these projects affect the safety and well being of not only the owner, but the public as well.

2. What Village Codes regulate construction?

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 complete 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 structural issues are involved. Examples would include: an addition to a house, increasing the size of a window, and removing existing walls in the house. Although many projects can be performed without an architect, their assistance is highly recommended. There are many requirements that 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 = $50.00, patios = $50.00, and lawn irrigation systems = $90.00. 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 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 (i.e., additions, remodeling, fences, pools, driveways)?
The Community Development policy states that all reviews must be completed within ten (10) business days from the date the application is submitted. Assuming that no problems exist with the submittal, the Building Permit is issued within two (2) or three (3) days following the submittal approval. These time lines reflect larger projects (additions, and remodeling), whereas, in most cases the smaller permits (fences, pools, driveways) are issued in a shorter period of time. Please keep in mind that larger projects are rarely complete and in compliance with Code on a first submittal. The necessity for subsequent submittals is the norm, rather than the exception, in these cases.

7. Can a Building Permit expire?
There are several expiration periods associated with Building Permits:

• All permits issued through the Village are valid for twelve (12) months from the date off issuance.

• Should a Building Permit Application that is “in-process” sit idle for a period of six (6) months prior to it’s 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.

• When a Building Permit is issued and no substantial work occurs for any six (6) 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 fees.

• Following the approval of the Construction Documents, the applicant has six (6) 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 Development Department must be notified at least 24 hours in advance of each inspection. When requesting an inspection that requires the presence of the Fire District, 48 hour notice must be provided. In addition, you should have the following information ready when calling to request any inspection:

• Address and suite number (if applicable)
• Permit number
• Type of inspection
• Contact person's name and phone number
• Requested inspection time. Although we cannot schedule specific times for inspections, see the chart below to determine your requested time:

  Early Morning - 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
  Late Morning - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  Early Afternoon - 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  Late Afternoon - 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

You may contact the Community Development Department at 847.883.8600, Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

9. Is it necessary to have licensed and bonded contractors to perform work in Lincolnshire?
Currently, the Village does not require licensing and bonding through the Village. However, plumbers and roofers are required by the State of Illinois to be licensed, 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 that it is viewable from the public way (the street).

11. Who do I contact if construction is taking place without a Building Permit displayed?
Contact the Community 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 that is received following the completion of a project, provided all final inspections are approved by all applicable Village departments. The applicant can request an application for a Certificate of Occupancy from the Community 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.