WHEN IS A BUILDING PERMIT REQUIRED?
All residential, commercial and institutional entities involved in building construction, repair, or modification are required to submit construction plans and specifications for review by the Village of Oak Lawn Division of Building, Planning and Zoning. No construction may begin until plans have been reviewed, a building permit has been issued, and appropriate fees have been paid.

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A BUILDING PERMIT?
Building permits and the associated review process is necessary to ensure public safety, health, and welfare. The purpose of the permit process also serves to maintain construction quality and consequently preserve the overall aesthetics of the community.

WHAT IS THE BUILDING PERMIT AND PLAN REVIEW PROCESS?
An applicant may contact the Division of Building, Zoning and Planning to obtain a building permit application. The Division is located at Village Hall, 9446 S. Raymond on the lower level. Telephone 708 499 7800. The applicant is required to submit drawings showing the proposed work. The drawings are reviewed for compliance with applicable building codes and regulations. Depending on the type of construction, the review may include mechanical, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire safety, water, sanitary sewer, drainage, health, site circulation and accessibility. After the plans are reviewed, the Village will issue a letter to the applicant stating any deficiencies identified during review. The applicant will then have the opportunity to revise and submit the drawings. Developers are required to submit four (4) complete sets of construction drawings. Drawings must be signed and sealed by an appropriately licensed professional engineer or architect. Upon Village approval of the plans, 1 set of approved plans will be returned to the applicant/ owner, 1 set to the contractor 1 set to the Building Inspector, and 1 set will remain in the Village files.

Building permits will not be issued until the contractor and all subcontractors have obtained proper licensing and submitted current Certificates of Insurance. Electrical and plumbing permit fees are not included with the building permit; however, the plumbing permit must be issued in conjunction with the building permit.

OTHER AGENCIES
Review by the following agencies may be required for projects within Oak Lawn. It is the applicant’s responsibility to obtain permits required by all applicable outside agencies that have jurisdiction in the Village Of Oak Lawn including but not limited to the following:

Illinois Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.epa.state.il.us/

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Engineering Standards and Forms
http://www.mwrd.org/Forms/Engineering/default.htm

Cook County Highway Department
http://www.co.cook.il.us/agencyDetail.php?pAgencyID=8

Illinois Department of Natural Resources
http://www.dnr.state.il.us/

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT)
http://www.dot.state.il.us/

For information about the Cook County Watershed Management Ordinance which is currently under development click here.
http://www.mwrdgc.dst.il.us/Engineering/Stormwater/WMO.htm

INSPECTION INFORMATION
Inspection requirements are attached to the approved set of plans. Inspections for which requests are received before 12:00 noon are scheduled for the following day. Inspections for which requests received after 12:00 noon, are scheduled to occur within two business days. Electrical and Plumbing inspections are performed from 3:00pm to 7:00pm, 24 hour notice is required.

PERMIT EXPIRATION:
A building permit is valid for one (1) year from the date of issue. If construction is not complete within 1 year, the permittee may request an extension of 1 year, if the request is made prior to permit expiration date. Extensions beyond 1 year are not permitted without a re-submittal of the permit application and a re-review of plans. For further information, contact 708 499 7800.