Permits are required by Village Code. Permits and inspections are required for the protection of public health, safety, and welfare. The Village inspection staff enforces adopted codes to assure that the construction is safe and in compliance. Projects not built to Village standards may have a negative impact on the sale of your home and on insurance costs.

Permit records are public information available in the Community Development Department and can be accessed by citizens by following simple procedures. The property owner of record, with proof of ownership such as a driver's license, title insurance policy, etc., can view their own property records. Requests for property information from non-owners must be filed under the Freedom of Information Act through the Village Manager's Office.

A building permit is required when the project involves new construction, alterations, or an addition to your building. Additional projects that require a permit include new or replacement of the following:

• Plumbing or electrical systems
• Electric outlets and fixtures
• Mechanical work such as furnaces, central air conditioning, hot tubs, or whirlpools
• Garages, fences, decks, patios, or storage sheds
• Swimming pools (above or in-ground)
• Flood control systems
• Signage or changes to existing signs
• Paving, sidewalks, and driveways (approved by Civil Engineering)
• Windows* (if size of opening is modified or any window that protrudes from face of wall)

You do not need a permit for:

• Exterior or interior painting
• Installation of siding, gutters and downspouts
• A new roof
• Tuckpointing
• Window replacement* (same size opening)

*Glass block in residential occupancies is permitted provided that required light and ventilation amounts are maintained. Safety glazing to be installed where required by 2012 International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.

If you are unsure if your project needs a permit call the Building & Zoning Division staff at 847/933-8223. Click here to view the hidden major costs of residential remodeling and additions.

For information regarding your permit via email

To download Community Development forms, permits and applications, click here.

Permit Process

The Village's building permit process can be summarized in these five steps:

1. Obtain a permit application and Zoning Information worksheet at the Building Division or by downloading a copy by clicking the link above.
2. Return the completed application with the required plans and plats of survey. Both the owner and the contractor must sign the application. The counter staff will check the application for completeness. All contractors must be currently licensed and bonded.
3. Staff will review the plans. Small projects such as garages, fences, and decks can be reviewed and permits issued in 3-5 working days. Projects may require approval from the Appearance Commission, Plan Commission, or Zoning Board of Appeals prior to issuing a Building Permit.
4. Once a permit has been issued, permitted work may begin. Please display the issued permit placard in a street-facing window so it is visible from the street.
5. Call for inspections. Final inspection requests are required to be in writing. Required site inspections are written on the permit placard. Inspections are required to assure that the construction is completed according to code and the approved plans. It is your responsibility to schedule all required Village inspections during and after construction.

Alarm Permits

• Fire Alarm Permit Registration Form
• Security Alarm Permit Registration Form
• False Alarm Program Brochure

Amusement, Food Vending and Tobacco Products License Application

Appearance Commission Application

Artist Application Form (Public Arts Advisory Committee)

Automatic Bank Payment Authorization Form

Birth Certificate Record

Block Party Application

Board/Commission Application

Building Codes Adopted by the Village of Skokie

Building or Right-of-Way Permit Application

Carrier Watch Program Application

Certificate of Occupancy Application

Change of Contractor Form

Citizens Fire Academy

ComEd Claim Form

Condominium Conversion Application

Contractor Registration Form

Death Certificate Record

Downtown Furnishings Request Form

Electrical Work Permit Application

Food Permit Forms and Applications

• Food Service Permit Application
• Food Service Construction Requirements
• Food Temperature Chart
• Handwashing Poster
• Manual Washing and Sanitation Chart
• Temporary Food Service Application
• Temporary Food Permit Requirements

Freedom of Information Act Request (or click here for more information)

Garage Sale Permits

Film Permit (Commercial)

Family Emergency Communications Plan

Fence/Sidewalk/Driveway/Shed/Detached Garage/Deck Permit Application

Food and Beverage Tax Form

Fourth of July Parade Application

Fuel Tax Form (Local

• Writable Form
• Non-Writable Form

Home Improvement Program Application

Hotel/Motel Tax Return

Hotel/Motel Tax Return - September 2014 and After

Lawn Sprinkler Application

Outdoor Dining Permit Application

Parking Determination Petition

Plan Review Application

Plat Guidelines

Preliminary Plan Review Application

Public Way Obstruction or Use Permit Application

Real Estate Transfer Tax Form

Request for Final Inspection Form

Residential Yard Drainage Assistance Program Form

Share Cost Parkway Tree Program
Please contact the Village Forester at 847/933-8427 for program details

Sign Permit Application

Solicitation Permit Applications:

• Charitable Solicitation Application
• Charitable Solicitation Brochure
• Commercial Solicitation Application
• Commercial Solicitation Brochure
• Religious Solicitation Application

Special Events Application

Special Use Permit/Site Plan Approval Petition Form

Simple Subdivision/Dedication Form

Subdivision/Dedication Petition Form

Teen Link Program

Transient Merchant License

Vacation of a Public Street or Alley Petition Form

Variation Application

Zoning Chapter Amendment Petition Form

Zoning Information Worksheet

Zoning Map Amendment Petition Form

Zoning Verification Letter Application

The Village of Skokie requires a current Certificate of Occupancy for all non-residential uses operating in the Village. The Certificate of Occupancy is required to be renewed every year. All businesses that require additional licenses are contained in Chapter 42 of the Village Code.

The procedure for obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy is as follows:

1. Obtain a Certificate of Occupancy Application at the Building Division (main floor of Village Hall, 5127 Oakton Street) or click here to download an application.
2. Submit the completed application to the Building Division. The application must contain the signatures of both the proposed tenant and the current owner of the property. A floor plan and/or site plan may be required depending on the proposed use of the property.
3. Staff will review the application to determine if the proposed use is permitted or not and if the minimum parking requirements will be met.
4. Staff will approve or deny an application. If staff denies the application, based on zoning or parking, the requestor will be notified within 10 business days.
5. Set up an inspection of the site with the Building Division by calling 847/933-8223. If a building permit has been issued, all inspections must be completed prior to the Occupancy inspection.
6. The Village of Skokie will perform an inspection of the site. Both the interior and exterior of the site will be inspected.
   • If all of the Village inspectors approve the inspection, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.
   • If any of the inspectors deny the inspection, the requestor will be required to correct the violations and schedule a re-inspection. The requestor must call the Building Division at 847/933-8223 to schedule an inspection.

The detailed municipality information displayed on this page is not a property of America's Building Records (ABR). This information is complied for your convenience from the municipality's official website. For the most up-to-date information please visit their official website.