Do I need a permit for addition or structural alteration in Arlington Heights?
Yes. In Illinois, addition or structural alteration generally requires a permit, and Arlington Heights is no exception.
Additions and structural alterations require a permit in essentially all Illinois jurisdictions. Illinois has no statewide residential building code for this work, so the permit threshold is set by your municipality or county. The statewide codes that took effect on 1 January 2025 apply to commercial, public and state-funded buildings. Many local codes require zoning review for lot coverage and setbacks, and properties in a mapped flood zone face additional elevation requirements. Arlington Heights requires a permit before any addition or structural alteration to a home, and all initial submittals must be made electronically through the Village's Civic Access Portal. The Village requires all contractors (other than the property owner) to be registered before a permit is issued, and a Guaranty Deposit Bond is required for any work that extends into public property such as curbs, walks, or parkway trees. The Village adopts and amends the ICC codes and limits construction to Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work must begin within six months of permit issuance and be completed within one year.
Documents you may need
- Plat of survey / site plan showing setbacksrequired
- Construction drawings (floor plan, elevations)required
- Structural details or engineered plansLikely required
- Contractor license and insurance informationSometimes required
- Addition (Residential) permit application through the Village's Civic Access Portalrequired
- Plat of survey and construction drawings showing the new workrequired
- Plans prepared, signed, and sealed by a licensed design professional for structural or larger projectsLikely required
Possible inspections
- Footing/foundation inspection
- Framing inspection
- Rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical inspection
- Final inspection
- Foundation and framing inspections by the Building & Life Safety Department
- Rough electrical, plumbing, and mechanical inspections where those trades are involved
- Final building inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for addition or structural alteration in Arlington Heights?
- Yes. In Illinois, addition or structural alteration generally requires a permit, and Arlington Heights is no exception. Additions and structural alterations require a permit in essentially all Illinois jurisdictions. Illinois has no statewide residential building code for this work, so the permit threshold is set by your municipality or county. The statewide codes that took effect on 1 January 2025 apply to commercial, public and state-funded buildings. Many local codes require zoning review for lot coverage and setbacks, and properties in a mapped flood zone face additional elevation requirements. Arlington Heights requires a permit before any addition or structural alteration to a home, and all initial submittals must be made electronically through the Village's Civic Access Portal. The Village requires all contractors (other than the property owner) to be registered before a permit is issued, and a Guaranty Deposit Bond is required for any work that extends into public property such as curbs, walks, or parkway trees. The Village adopts and amends the ICC codes and limits construction to Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and weekends 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Work must begin within six months of permit issuance and be completed within one year.
- Who issues the permit in Arlington Heights?
- The local building department for Arlington Heights handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.