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1. Does the Building and Safety Division recommend contractors?

Due to potential liability issues, the Village cannot make any recommendations. However, the Building and Safety Division does have a list of contractors that are registered and insured with the Village. If the applicant is interested in viewing this contractor list, it is available upon request during business hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Again, please note this list is not a recommendation on behalf of the Village of Schiller Park.

2. Does the Village have a grant program for installing flood prevention devices?

Yes. The Village has a grant program for single-family, two-flat, and three-flat owner-occupied homes to install a check valve device. This program provides a resident a grant of 50% of the cost up to a maximum of $1,500. For more information on this program, please visit our Sewage Backflow Prevention Program Page here.

3. How do I check on the status of a building permit application?

After the building permit application has been submitted, it generally takes 7 to 10 business days to process for residential properties. The applicant will be contacted if the plan reviewer has any questions or problems, or if any additional information is needed. You may call or email the Building and Safety Division to inquire about the status of the permit, but please be aware that plan review time may be affected by the department’s workload and/or unforeseen projects.

Once your plans have been approved, the applicant will be notified for permit pickup and payment. The Community Development Department office is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 4501 N. 25th Avenue. Applicants may pay with cash, check, and/or credit card. After all permit fees are paid, either a green (for homeowners) or yellow (for contractors) permit card will be issued to post on your front door or window. Please have these permit cards posted in an area that is visible for public viewing. Additionally, please schedule all pertinent inspections by calling Community Development at 847-671-8555. For more information, please visit our Building Permit Inspections Page.

4. How do I obtain a building permit?

To receive a permit, it is required for the applicant to submit a completed building permit application to the Community Development Department. Building permit applications are available online or at the Community Development Department office located at 4501 N 25th Ave or online. In the application, please provide detailed construction information, including drawings and/or a plat of survey. Additionally, all contractors and subcontractors performing work on any property in Schiller Park must be licensed and registered with the Village.

For more information on building permit requirements and obtaining a contractors license, please visit our Building Permit Application Process Page here.

5. How does a contractor become registered with the Village?

For contractors: to become registered with the Village, complete our Contractor License Application Form. Depending on the type of service provided, contractors must present a valid state license, provide an original bond (no emails or faxes will be accepted), a Certificate of Insurance with the Village of Schiller Park, 4501 N 25th  Ave, Schiller Park, IL 60176 as the certificate holder, as well as pay a fee. Please contact the Building and Safety Division at 847-671-8555 for more information. The registration is valid from May 1st to April 20th and must be renewed annually.

6. How long is the permit process?

Permits are not issued the same day that they are submitted. Permits are reviewed by the Building and Safety Division staff in the order in which they are received. However, the permit process can be naturally expeditious if all required information is submitted accurately and completely from the start. Generally, the process takes 7 to 10 business days.

Since the application process varies depending on the type of development proposed, we encourage applicants to speak to our staff before applying for any permits. Applicants may request for a preliminary plan review. Preliminary plan reviews provide answers to all of your questions and concerns regarding the proposed project. Please complete the Preliminary Plan Review Form here.

7. Does ComEd Provide Any Guidance on Installing Electrical Service?

Yes - ComEd has a document called the Red Book 8th Edition "A Guide to Installing or Revising Your Residential Electric Service". You can view or download a copy of this guidebook by clicking here.

8. I found a violation notice on my door knob from Community Development. What should I do now?

If a violation door hanger has been received from our property maintenance inspector, please follow and its listed instructions. On the door hanger, the property maintenance inspector will provide you with a date for re-inspection. It is required for the resident to resolve the issues on the door hanger prior to that date. For more information, contact the property maintenance inspector at the Building and Safety Division of the Community Development Department at 847-671-8555.

9. I live in an apartment, and I am unhappy with my landlord. What can I do?

The Building and Safety Division inspects all multi-family apartment units at least once a year. The Village Code mandates a clean and safe environment with basic utilities for all multi-family dwellings. Please inform us of your concerns by completing the Village's online service form here, and your name will be kept confidential. Please be aware that the Village is limited to addressing code violation issues and cannot intervene with your landlord in disputes concerning rent, deposits, pets, etc.

10. I am doing the work myself. Do I still need a permit?

Yes. The application process is the same for applicants who are both contractors and homeowners. However, homeowners who wish to work on the proposed project themselves must fill out a Certification of Responsibility Form here. This form states that the homeowner is responsible for abiding by the Village’s building codes and correcting any deficiencies.

11. My neighbor is causing a nuisance. How can I file an anonymous report?

If you believe that the nuisance is violating the Village Code, you can make an anonymous report. Please complete the Village Online Service Form here, or call 847-671-8555. If you submit an online form your information will be kept confidential. If you are in immediate danger, or a crime is being committed, call 911. Please remember that the Village can enforce the code based on what we can observe.

12. What do I do when my project is complete?

Once your project is complete, please call the Building and Safety Division at 847-671-8555 to set up a final inspection. The final inspection will allow the Building & Safety Division to close your permit in our files.

13. When are permits required?

Permits are required for most property improvement projects. To determine if your project needs a permit, please review our Building Permit List (PDF).

14. When do I need building permit inspections, and who do I call?

Depending on the proposed building project, you will need periodic inspections throughout the construction period. A building permit inspection list is available for applicants that instruct them when inspections should be scheduled and at what stages of construction need to be checked for building code compliance.

When scheduling an inspection, it is required for the resident to provide the street address, permit number, and the type of inspection. Please be aware that all inspections must be scheduled a minimum of 24 hours prior to the preferred inspection date. To schedule a building, plumbing, or electrical inspection, please contact the Building and Safety Division at 847-671-8555. In addition, please schedule a final inspection. It is important to schedule a final inspection in order for the Building and Safety Division to close your file.

For more information on building permit inspections, please visit our Building Permit Inspections Page here.

15. Why should I get a permit?

A permit is a legal authority granted by the Village to begin a property improvement project, and provides the benefit of inspections to ensure that the project meets accepted minimum standards for safety and durability. Inspections are performed at various stages of a project to ensure compliance with construction codes. To view these construction codes, please click here.