Building and Inspectional Services Department

Building Department

The mission of the Department of Building and Inspectional Services is to assure property and structures are developed and maintained to the standards of Village building, zoning, health, and property maintenance ordinances.

Download the Contractor Business License Application

NOTICE: All permit applications for new and replacement detached garages and accessory structures measuring 400 square feet or greater require a drainage plan to be submitted with the application.

Zoning

Work with the Department of Community and Economic Development to administer and enforce zoning regulations established in the Unified Development Code.
Provide residents, businesses and property owners with assistance relating to zoning requirements for projects of all sizes. For more information on Morton Grove's zoning regulations, please visit the zoning webpage.
Provide staff support to the the Zoning Board of Appeals, Plan Commission, and Appearance Commission.

Construction Permits

Work that Requires a Permit:

Any new buildings or additions to buildings
New or replacement detached garages, yard sheds, fences, gazebos, pergolas.
Signs
Swimming pools, ponds, spas two feet or more in depth
Revisions to electrical service, new circuits, receptacles, and light fixtures
New or replacement furnaces, boilers, and air conditioning units
Relocation of plumbing fixtures
Sewer and water line repairs
Installation of sewer cleanouts, flood control valves, and overhead sewers
Changes in grade to your lot
Water heaters, AC units, furnaces.

Work that Does Not require a Permit:

Normal maintenance of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems
Power rodding of sewer lines
Replacement windows and doors in existing openings.
Swimming Pools, ponds, spas less than two feet deep

Permit Application

Application forms are available on-line or may be obtained at the Dept of Building & Inspectional Services
Submit the completed application form along with the necessary plans for review and approval to the Building Department at 6101 Capulina Ave.

Requirements (see application for copy sets needed):

RESIDENTIAL

This application must be accompanied by the following:

Plat of Survey
Plot Plan
Construction Plans

MULTIFAMILY:

This application must be accompanied by the following:

Plat of Survey
Plot Plan
Construction Plans

COMMERCIAL / INDUSTRIAL / OTHER NONRESIDENTIAL:

This application must be accompanied by the following:

Plat of Survey
Plot Plan
Construction Plans

Contractors

All contractor and subcontractors (other than landscapers and painters) working in the village require a village contractor's business license
All licensed contractors mus provide liability insurance and a $10,000 surety bond for the type of work they perform
general contractors and any contractors working within the Village Right-of-Way must show proof of liability insurance
Village must be named as an additional insured on the policy using an ISO form GC2026 or the equivalent.
Village license is valid for a twelve month period from date of issuance

Construction financing

Food Service Sanitation & Environmental Inspections

A licensed environmental health practitioner is responsible for completing required inspections of all food service establishments, and periodic inspections of other facilities covered by village health and environmental ordinances.
Coordinates the village recycling programs www.swancc.org
Serves as liaison to the North Shore Mosquito abatement District by providing information to residents as necessary.

Property Maintenance

Code enforcement officers, using the village's minimum property maintenance ordinance, conduct an annual driving survey of all residential properties looking for deficiencies that have a potential negative impact on a neighborhood and property values. Deficiencies include such items as peeling paint, improper outside sttorage, abandoned or inoperable vehicles, and overgrown vegetation. Commercial and industrial buildings are surveyed for compliance with minimum property maintenance standards appropriate to that type of property use.

Elevator and Escalator Inspections

Application for Driveway Material Variance

This application is for Morton Grove residents seeking a permit to construct a decorative driveway or private sidewalk on the public right of way ("ROW"). The ROW is owned by the Village and is generally the area from the public sidewalk to and into the street, including driveway aprons. A permit is needed for any kind of construction within the ROW. If a property owner has or intends to install a decorative private driveway or private sidewalk (using non-standard materials such as brick pavers or colord, stamped or aggregate concrete), and wishes to construct a driveway apron or service walk in the ROW using the same decorative materials, a variance permit is also required pursuant to Village Code Section 7-1-15. Click here for an application.