Residential Building Permit Guidelines

Driveways

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Indicate on application whether driveway is being replaced with the same layout as the existing or if new paved area is being added.
• Provide sketch or drawing if new paved area is being added.
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Fences

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Draw location of proposed fence on a photocopy of a survey.
• Indicate the height of the fence.
• Indicate whether the fence is same appearance on both sides or has a good appearance side and a rough side.
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Decks

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Submit drawings (done by contractor or architect) of proposed deck or deck alterations.
• Drawings should show the location and dimensions of the deck as well as construction details including footing sizes, joists and joist spacing, method of attachment to house, etc.
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).
• Sample guidelines for deck design can be found here: Example 1, Example 2.

Lawn Sprinklers

• Fill out a Lawn Sprinkler Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Provide drawing showing location of sprinkler heads, RPZ backflow prevention device, and rain gauge or moisture sensor.
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Tree removal

• Fill out Tree Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, or by email (preferred)).

Underground water, sewer, or drainage pipes

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Attach a drawing showing the location of the proposed pipes and a description of the work.
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Grading work

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Attach grading plan (3 copies of paper plans & 1 electronic copy).
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Water heater replacement

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).

Roofing

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Attach detailed description of proposed work (such as contractor’s description from contract).
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Alterations (siding, windows, etc.)

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Attach detailed description of proposed work (such as contractor’s description from contract).
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Residential remodel

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Submit drawings and/or description of proposed work (PDF copy preferred).
• Remodeling projects of over 2,000 square feet are required to have a Construction Debris Recycling Plan.
• Provide a copy of the Homeowner’s Association approval if in a subdivision that requires it (such as Tangley Oaks, Armour Woods, Wimbledon Court, and The Sanctuary).

Residential addition

• Fill out a Building Permit Application (and submit in person, by mail, by email (preferred), or via web).
• Contractors to renew/apply for Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
• Submit drawings of proposed work (PDF copy preferred).
• Submit Building Scale Calculation Guide.
• Projects of over 2,000 square feet (total of addition + remodeling) are required to have a Construction Debris Recycling Plan.
• A Demolition Site Management Plan is required if your project meets these criteria.

New house construction

Before Permit is Issued:
1. Fill out a Building Permit Application
2. Submit a $200 deposit for plan review
3. Submit Architectural Plans (3 paper copies & one pdf)
4. Complete a Building Scale Check Sheet
5. Submit Civil Engineering Plans, including Tree Protection Plan with Tree Inventory (3 paper copies & one pdf)
6. Submit a survey (pdf)
7. Complete a Tree Removal Permit (if applicable)
8. Submit HVAC Calculations (1 pdf of Manuals J & S)
9. Have contractors renew/apply for a Lake Bluff Contractor’s License if not currently licensed.
10. Complete a Construction Debris Recycling Plan
11. Submit a North Shore Water Reclamation District Permit (for sewer connection)

If Permit Includes Demolition of Existing Home

1. Submit a Demolition Site Management Plan (can be combined with civil engineering plans, see Section 9-1-5 I & J for requirements)
2. Submit a ComEd disconnect letter
3. Submit a North Shore Gas disconnect letter
4. Submit an Asbestos Inspection Report
5. Construction Debris Recycling Plan
6. If more than 50 years old, demo questionnaire for HPC review 

After Foundation is Poured
1. Complete a Spot Survey

45 Days before Rough Inspections
1. Submit Fire Sprinkler Drawings

Before Occupancy

1. Submit engineering as-built (grades and locations of sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water service, see complete list in Section 9-1-5K)
2. Complete a Construction Debris Recycling Verification
3. Submit a Blower Door Test

Note to architects and engineers:

1. Please make sure your plans comply with the wall bracing requirements of the 2015 IRC, Section R602.1
2. Please make sure either architectural plans or civil engineering plans contain all of the info listed in the Site Plan Requirements, Section 9-1-5H & J, and the items required for the Tree Protection Plan & Tree Inventory in Section 10-11-8C

House Demolition

1. Submit a Building Permit Application
2. Submit a Demolition Site Management Plan (can be combined with civil engineering plans, see Section 9-1-5 I & J for requirements)
3. Submit a ComEd disconnect letter
4.  Submit a North Shore Gas disconnect letter
5. Submit an Asbestos Inspection Report
6. Construction Debris Recycling Plan
7. If more than 50 years old, demo questionnaire for HPC review 

Fire Review Documents

• Submit all fire alarm, fire sprinkler, and fire suppression documents electronically by email ONLY.