Permits

Application for Building Permit

For your convenience, the application for a building permit is now available online or at the Village of Park Forest Building Department. In order for the Building Department to accept a building permit, the following standards must be met:

  • The application must be printed full size, landscape, on 8.5" x 11" white paper.
  • Blue or black ink only.
  • Wet (original) signatures are required.
  • Back-up documents are required at the time of submittal.
  • Permit fee is required at the time of application.

Applying for a permit 

The Building Department issues several types of permits. A permit is needed for the work described below, whether you do the work yourself or employ a contractor. Fees for traditional permits are based on the job cost. All contractors doing work in the Village of Park Forest must be Park Forest licensed. A homeowner doing the work themselves must provide the Building Department with a completed waiver form.

To apply for a permit, you will need the permit application, the permit fee, and a copy of the proposal your Park Forest licensed contractor has given you. If your contractor is applying for the permit, the Village of Park Forest requires the homeowner's signature on either the proposal or the building permit application. Permits are issued for:

Home Improvement Permits

Home Improvement Permits are provided for a fee of $60 for the following work:

  • Roofing installation or replacement
  • Siding, soffit, and gutter installation or replacement
  • Concrete driveway work
  • Asphalt driveway/parking lot paving
  • Driveway Permit Information

Traditional Permits:

 Fees for traditional permits 
 The fee for a permit is based on the cost of the job. Fees are broken down as follows:

 $250 worth or less of work | No fee but permit required

 $251 to $1,500 worth of work | $60 fee

 $1,501 to $2,000 worth of work | $100 fee

 $2,001 worth of work and over | $100 fee plus $10 per thousand on valuations over $2,001

Improvement Permits 

Improvement permits are provided for a fee of $40 for the following work:

Building Permit Requirements for Commercial Build-Out:

  • Building Permit Application. It must be completely filled out. The signature of the landlord is required on all tenant work.
  • Fee for a permit, based on the cost of the job:
    • Value less than $250: No fee; a permit is required
    • $250 to $1500: $60
    • $1501 to $2000: $100
    • $2001 and over: $100 plus $10 per $1,000 on valuations over $2001
  • Fee for other inspections, when required:
    • Electrical Inspection $250
    • Plumbing Inspection $250
    • Fire Department Review Varies, depending on what work is being done
  • Signed and dated contract, including scope and cost of the job. All contractors must be licensed by the Village of Park Forest.
  • Existing/proposed layout of the space.
  • Architectural Plans (two sets of stamped plans; five sets of unstamped plans to facilitate a faster review process)
  • Plat of Survey
  • Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District approved application (when necessary)
  • Landscape Plan
  • Separate permit required for signage

 Building Permit Requirements

  • Completed Building Permit Application. (Signature of landlord required on all tenant work)
  • Permit fee
  • Fee for other inspections, when required:
    • Electrical Inspection | $250 Commercial | $150 Residential 
    • Plumbing Inspection | $250 Commercial | $150 Residential
    • Fire Department Review is based on the cost of the job.
  • Signed and dated contract, including scope and cost of the job. All contractors must be licensed by the Village of Park Forest.
  • Existing/proposed layout of the space.
  • Architectural Plans (two sets of stamped plans; five sets of unstamped plans to facilitate a faster review process)
  • Plat of Survey
  • Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District approved application (when necessary)
  • Landscape Plan
  • Separate permit required for signage

Sewer Repair Permits

Sewer Repair Permits cover the installation of clean-outs and cost $60.

Codes

The Village of Park Forest has adopted the following codes:

  • 2018 ICC International Building Code (First Printing 2017) ***
  • 2018 ICC International Existing Building Code (First Printing 2017) 
  • 2018 ICC International Energy Conservation Code (First Printing 2017)
  • 2015 ICC International Green Code (Second Printing 2014)
  • 2018 ICC International Mechanical Code (First Printing 2017)
  • 2018 ICC International Fuel Gas (First Printing 2017)
  • 2018 ICC International Residential Code for One and Two-Family Dwellings (First Printing 2017) ***
  • 2018 ICC International Property Maintenance Code (Second Printing 2018)
  • 2014 National Electric Code (53rd Edition and all supplements)
  • 2014 Illinois State Plumbing Code
  • 1997 Illinois Accessibility Code (April 24, 1997)

***Park Forest is located in a region where there has been a history of ice damming. Accordingly, in the International Residential Code Table R301.2(1), the Village has selected “YES.” As such, Ice Barrier Underlayment is Required for work covered by the scope of the International Residential Code. Additionally, an ice barrier is required in Section 1507.1.2 of the International Building Code for work covered under the scope of the International Building Code. 

There are amendments to the codes. View amendments to the codes and the Village Code of Ordinances.