Permits & Development

Oak Park regulates construction through a range of national and international codes. The current building codes are listed below:

• Updated International Building Code (IBC), effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• Updated International Residential Code (IRC), effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• Updated International Existing Building Code (IEBC), effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• Updated National Electric Code (NEC), effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• Updated International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC), effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• International Mechanical Code (IMC), effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• International Fire Code (IFC), effective Sept. 1, 2023 - local amendments are available here
   
• International Energy Conservation Code, effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, effective Jan. 1, 2024 - local amendments are available here
   
• Illinois State Plumbing Code with local amendments
   
• International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) with local amendments

Many of these texts can be viewed at local libraries and on the Internet. The Village of Oak Park amendments may be purchased for a nominal fee or viewed at the Building Division in Village Hall, 123 Madison St.

Whenever a building permit is submitted, the Village checks to ensure that the proposed  work complies with local, state and federal laws designed to ensure accessibility to individuals with disabilities, including the Americans With Disabilities Act. The Village also works to promote voluntary upgrades of properties to make them accessible. Many accessibility improvements are readily achievable with minimal cost. Upon request, the Chief Building Inspector will advise property owners who wish to obtain a free and voluntary assessment of their existing building, and make recommendations on ways to accomplish accessibility goals.

Anyone with a special need who would like to attend a Village-sponsored event or meeting, should contact the ADA Compliance Officer for assistance at least 48 hours prior to the event or meeting.

Contractors are required to have a valid certificate of insurance on file with the Village of Oak Park. Proof of insurance should be uploaded to the contractor’s online registration - click here to add proof of insurance.

Construction permits are legal requirements intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens. Permits are required for most property improvement projects. Any work governed by building, electrical, mechanical or plumbing codes, or the zoning ordinance requires a permit so that inspections can be made for compliance with the relevant regulations. Examples of work that requires a permit:

• Any new structure or addition to an existing structure such as decks, garages, porches, porch roofs, fences and sheds.
• Alterations such as furring and finishing basement or attic walls; installing new windows, cabinets and countertops, new gutters and/or downspouts; cutting of any wall or partition; landscaping involving concrete work; and any work involving the extension or alteration of the electrical, plumbing or heating or air conditioning systems.
• Repairs such as re-roofing, replacing sidewalks and/or driveways, and rebuilding porches, guardrails or stairs

The Construction & Zoning Permit Fee Schedule is posted on the forms page of this website. Forms are listed in alphabetical order by title

Nearly any type of electrical work requires a permit from the Village. A separate permit from a general construction permit is necessary because electrical work requires specialized skills and knowledge. Electrical work done improperly can have tragic results, particularly in older, more fire-prone housing stock such as found in Oak Park.

As required by the State of Illinois, the Village of Oak Park requires elevators to be inspected each year. Operators of buildings are required to contact their personal elevator contractor, arrange inspections and update contact information. Upon a passed inspection the building managers are required to log in at www.oak-park.us/villageview,  register as a user, log back in, pay, download their passing inspection report. An e-mail will be sent to log back in to print the certificate for posting.

• Elevator Contact Information Update Form
• Elevator Maintenance Tips

The Permits Processing Division regulates new construction, renovations and repairs to buildings and structures to ensure compliance with the Village’s building codes and other pertinent laws and acts through the performance of on-site construction inspections and actively seeking out work being performed without permits. The division provides building inspections on an emergency basis in response to fire, wind or other damage to buildings or structures. Additional services are related to managing and tracking third-party inspection services related to elevators and other conveyances, construction trade inspections and plan reviews. Other types of inspections performed by other divisions of the Development Services Department include the following:

• Residential property via the Neighborhood Walk Program
• Vacant buildings
• Multi-family residential buildings with four or more rental units
• Condominium common areas
• Commercial buildings for maintenance and fire/life-safety hazards,
• Business licenses
• Special events
• Sales of multi-family residential buildings with four or more rental units
• Property complaint resolution

Division staff review plans to verify proposed construction compliance with the Village’s building codes and ordinances and other pertinent laws and acts. Division staff coordinates and tracks plan review activities of multiple Village departments, including processing permit applications and archiving all submittal and inspection documents.

Nearly any type of plumbing requires a permit from the Village. A permit separate from a general construction permit is required because plumbing requires specialized skills and knowledge. Improper plumbing work can cause significant water damage to a building. Owners of single-family homes may obtain a plumbing permit by signing an affidavit attesting to their intent to do the work themselves.

Any business intending to construct, maintain, display or alter a sign must obtain a permit. Applicants are required to pay a one-time permit application fee and, thereafter, an annual fee.

Types of signs that are allowed include multiple-surface signs, awnings, canopies, marquees, freestanding signs, projecting signs and wall signs. Signs that are not allowed include signs which move or appear to move, roof signs, flashing or blinking lights, signs on the public right-of-way and signs on vacant spaces.

Temporary signs are allowed for up to 60 days as long as they are mounted and properly maintained. Permanent and temporary window signs must not occupy more than 50 percent of the window area, except in downtown Oak Park where special sign restrictions are in place. The design, size, content and structure of all signs must meet all other requirements specified in the sign ordinance. The Community Design Commission considers requests for variances from the sign ordinance.