Do I need a permit for addition or structural alteration in Highland Park?
Yes. In Illinois, addition or structural alteration generally requires a permit, and Highland Park 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. Highland Park requires a building permit before any residential addition or structural alteration, and the City publishes separate requirement sheets for Residential Addition and New Single Family Home work. Most structural work needs sealed drawings and a current plat of survey. Additions may trigger a Drainage and Grading permit and, for lots near ravines, bluffs, or regulated waterways, review under the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance where Highland Park is a Certified Community. Confirm stormwater and grading requirements early. Landmark and historic district properties require preservation review of exterior changes and additions, so verify your property status with the Highland Park Building Division before you design.
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
- Building permit application filed through the City's Civic Access self-service portalrequired
- Plat of survey plus construction drawings, typically prepared or sealed by an Illinois-licensed design professionalrequired
- City of Highland Park contractor license and bond, or a signed Homeowner as General Contractor agreementrequired
Possible inspections
- Footing/foundation inspection
- Framing inspection
- Rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical inspection
- Final inspection
- Footing and foundation inspection by the Highland Park Building Division
- Framing and rough trade inspections (electrical, plumbing, mechanical) where applicable
- Final building inspection
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for addition or structural alteration in Highland Park?
- Yes. In Illinois, addition or structural alteration generally requires a permit, and Highland Park 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. Highland Park requires a building permit before any residential addition or structural alteration, and the City publishes separate requirement sheets for Residential Addition and New Single Family Home work. Most structural work needs sealed drawings and a current plat of survey. Additions may trigger a Drainage and Grading permit and, for lots near ravines, bluffs, or regulated waterways, review under the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance where Highland Park is a Certified Community. Confirm stormwater and grading requirements early. Landmark and historic district properties require preservation review of exterior changes and additions, so verify your property status with the Highland Park Building Division before you design.
- Who issues the permit in Highland Park?
- The local building department for Highland Park 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.