Building Permits, Inspections & Village Services
The Village of Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety Department handles building permit applications, construction plan reviews, inspections, contractor licensing, and building-code compliance within the Village of Arlington Heights in Cook County, Illinois.
Building permit applications are submitted electronically through the Village’s Civic Access Portal. For permit questions or inspection assistance, call 847-368-5560.
Building & Life Safety
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
First and third Wednesday: opens 9:30 a.m.
Office hours are local Central Time. Holiday closures and special schedules may differ. This guide concerns Arlington Heights, Illinois—not Arlington County, Virginia, or Arlington Heights neighborhoods elsewhere.
Which Building Permits Do You Need?
Arlington Heights regulates many residential and commercial construction activities. The correct permit depends on your project’s scope, property type, and whether structural, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, or other regulated work is involved.
| Project | What to Check Before Applying |
|---|---|
| New home or addition | Building plans, zoning, setbacks, site requirements, trade work, and required professional design documents. |
| Kitchen or bathroom remodel | Whether walls, plumbing, electrical circuits, ventilation, or structural elements will change. |
| Basement finishing | Room use, emergency escape, electrical work, ventilation, and applicable construction requirements. |
| Deck, porch, or garage | Site plan, dimensions, foundations, setbacks, structural details, and inspection requirements. |
| Fence or dog run | Fence permit, property boundaries, height, placement, and applicable zoning restrictions. |
| Driveway, patio, or concrete work | Drainage, public right-of-way, required base inspections, and Engineering Department involvement. |
| Roof, windows, or exterior work | Whether work is repair or replacement, building type, materials, and applicable permit category. |
| HVAC, electrical, or plumbing | Trade permits, contractor credentials, applicable safety standards, and inspections. |
| Commercial alteration or tenant build-out | Architect-sealed plans where required, occupancy classification, accessibility, fire protection, and applicable zoning. |
| Demolition or major renovation | Demolition authorization, utility disconnections, site protection, and any required environmental review. |
Local Example: Fence Permits
The Village’s published fence guidance requires a permit before installing a fence. Typical submission materials include a marked plat of survey showing the proposed fence location and dimensions, a contractor proposal, and a picture or specification of the fence.
For ordinary residential conditions, the guidance generally limits front-yard fencing to 36 inches and side/rear-yard fencing to 6 feet, with additional rules for corner lots, street frontage, visibility, and fence type. Confirm the applicable restrictions for your particular lot.
View the Village’s fence permit checklist and regulations (PDF).
How to Apply for an Arlington Heights Building Permit
Use the official Civic Access system rather than submitting a general permit request to an unrelated third-party website. The Village requires electronic initial building permit submissions.
- Confirm the correct jurisdiction and project category. Check that the property is within Arlington Heights Village limits. Determine whether your work is residential, multifamily, commercial, or a specific trade project.
- Open Civic Access and sign in. Visit vah.com/myportal. Follow the Village’s account registration instructions if you are a new user.
- Select the permit application. Open the Apply section and search for the appropriate permit type. Read its description carefully. The Village warns that an incorrectly selected permit category can cause the application to be declined.
- Add the property and project information. Choose Add Location, search by street number, direction, and street name, then select the correct address. Enter the work description and any requested area, valuation, or project details.
- Add the owner and required contractors. Use the portal’s contact fields to add the applicant, property owner, contractors, and design professionals required for your permit. Contractors generally need their own portal access and appropriate licensing.
- Upload documents and submit. Attach the plans, survey, proposals, forms, and supporting records required by that permit type. Submit the application, save the reference number, monitor review comments, upload revisions if requested, and pay the invoiced fees before beginning work.
Documents to Prepare Before Starting
Requirements vary by project. Gather the relevant items before opening the online application:
- Property address and Property Index Number (PIN), if requested.
- Clear description of the proposed work and estimated project cost.
- Scaled drawings, construction plans, or marked property survey.
- Property owner and contractor contact details.
- Village contractor registration or applicable professional license documentation.
- Architect- or engineer-sealed plans when required.
- Trade-specific documents, plumber’s letter of intent, or other acknowledgments when applicable.
- Additional engineering, zoning, accessibility, or energy-code documents for projects requiring them.
The Village specifically requires commercial, industrial, and multifamily building projects to include plans developed, signed, and sealed by a licensed architect as applicable to its submission requirements. Do not assume that a small residential remodeling project has identical documentation requirements.
Building Inspections: Scheduling and Requirements
Once a permit is issued, inspections verify that the work follows approved plans and applicable code requirements. The inspections needed for your project are identified through the permit record and related approval documents.
How to Schedule an Inspection
- Locate your issued permit number and project address.
- Sign in to the Civic Access Portal and open the project record.
- Use the available inspection-request function, following the instructions shown for your permit.
- If the request cannot be completed online, contact Building & Life Safety at 847-368-5560.
- Make sure the work is accessible, approved plans are available, and the construction stage is ready for inspection.
- Review the result and complete any required corrections before proceeding to the next regulated stage.
The Village’s published inspection guidance generally recommends allowing about one business day for routine inspections and two business days for finals. These are planning guidelines, not guaranteed appointment times; confirm the current scheduling requirements with the department.
| Inspection | Typical Purpose |
|---|---|
| Footing or foundation | Check excavation, forms, reinforcement, and required foundation conditions before covering work. |
| Rough electrical, plumbing, or mechanical | Review concealed systems before walls or ceilings are closed. |
| Framing | Confirm relevant structural framing and approved construction details. |
| Concrete base or pre-pour | Inspect applicable flatwork preparation before concrete placement. |
| Final inspection | Confirm completion and compliance with applicable permit approvals. |
These are examples, not a mandatory sequence for every permit. For certain concrete and asphalt flatwork, the Village specifically requires a pre-pour/base inspection and a final inspection.
Building Permit Fees and Processing Times
There is no single flat building permit fee for every Arlington Heights project. Charges depend on the construction type, size or valuation, plan review, trade permits, and any other applicable approvals.
Published Village Fee Examples
| Fee Category | Published Amount |
|---|---|
| Fence permit | $40 |
| Additional building/electrical/plumbing inspection covered by the fee provision | $50 per subsequent inspection |
| Single-family certificate of occupancy | $60 |
| Multifamily, commercial, or industrial certificate of occupancy | $120 |
| Alterations, additions, and new construction | Calculated according to applicable municipal fee provisions and project details |
These amounts appear in the Village’s published municipal fee provisions and, for occupancy certificates, its 2026 budget materials. They may not represent the complete amount for a particular application. Confirm the final invoice and any later amendments before paying.
The Village’s permit instructions also illustrate why review time depends on the project. Its September 2025 fence packet identifies a typical initial review allocation of approximately 2 business days, while its April 2025 multifamily-addition packet identifies approximately 13 days once placed into review. Additional invoicing, revisions, and document processing can take longer.
For the governing fees, review Arlington Heights Municipal Code, Chapter 7, Article XI.
Building Codes Used in Arlington Heights in 2026
Arlington Heights uses locally adopted construction codes with Village amendments. The published Chapter 23 provisions identify the following foundational editions:
| Code | Published Adoption |
|---|---|
| International Residential Code | 2018 edition, with Village amendments |
| International Building Code | 2018 edition, with Village amendments |
| International Mechanical Code | 2018 edition, with Village amendments |
| International Existing Building Code | 2018 edition, with Village amendments |
| National Electrical Code | 2017 edition, with Village amendments |
| Plumbing | Illinois Plumbing Code, with applicable local amendments |
| Energy, fire, accessibility, and other standards | Applicable state and locally adopted requirements; verify by project and permit date |
Code editions can change through new ordinances. In 2026, the Village was reviewing potential updates to newer model-code editions for future implementation. A proposal does not become enforceable merely because it was discussed. Verify the adopted rules effective on your permit application date.
Read Chapter 23: Building Regulations and Local Amendments.
Contractor Licensing, Zoning & Local Construction Rules
Contractor Registration
Contractors performing regulated work in Arlington Heights may need Village contractor licensing or registration. Electrical and plumbing trades are subject to their respective licensing and registration requirements. Homeowners acting as their own general contractors should confirm whether additional declarations or forms are required.
If you change contractors after a permit has been issued, the Village provides a Change of Contractor form (PDF).
Zoning and Property Restrictions
A building permit does not automatically eliminate zoning restrictions. Setbacks, building height, lot coverage, driveway access, drainage, easements, and permitted property uses may affect approval. Check those issues before paying for final construction drawings.
Construction Hours
The Village’s published Building & Life Safety guidance lists general permitted construction hours as 7 a.m.–7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Confirm whether your project has special permit conditions or applicable noise restrictions.
Before Excavating
Contact Illinois JULIE through Illinois 811 before digging, following applicable advance-notice requirements. A building permit does not replace required underground utility locate notifications.
Official Arlington Heights Building Department Resources
Department responsibilities, office information, codes, and related services.
Permit applications, supporting documents, application status, and available online services.
Portal information, application guidance, and licensing-related instructions.
Inspection scheduling guidance and department information.
Building regulations, adopted codes, local amendments, and published fee provisions.
Detailed Civic Access submission instructions, contacts, documents, review process, and revisions.
For projects elsewhere in Cook County, see our guides to Berwyn building permits and Blue Island building permits. Each municipality has its own application and inspection procedures.
10 Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who issues building permits in Arlington Heights?
The Village of Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety Department handles building permits and inspections for properties within Village limits. Confirm the property’s jurisdiction before applying.
2. Where is the Arlington Heights Building Department located?
The department is at Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Call 847-368-5560 or email building@vah.com.
3. What are the Building Department’s office hours?
The front counter serves visitors Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. It opens at 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Wednesdays. Holiday schedules may differ.
4. How do I apply for an Arlington Heights building permit online?
Open the Village’s Civic Access portal, create or sign into your account, select Apply, choose the correct permit type, add the property and contacts, upload required documents, and submit.
5. Do I need a permit to install a fence?
Yes. The Village’s fence guidance requires a permit and typically asks for a marked survey, contractor proposal, and fence picture or specification.
6. Do I need a permit for a kitchen or basement remodel?
It depends on the scope. Structural, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical work may need permits; ask Building & Life Safety to confirm your exact project before starting.
7. Can homeowners apply for permits themselves?
Homeowners may apply for eligible work, but a homeowner acting as general contractor may need additional forms. Licensed trade requirements still apply.
8. How do I schedule a building inspection?
Use the Civic Access project record if inspection scheduling is available, or call 847-368-5560 with the permit number and job address. Follow the inspections listed on the permit.
9. How much does an Arlington Heights building permit cost?
Fees vary by project and can include plan review and trade charges. Chapter 7 of the Village Code publishes fee rules; rely on your permit invoice for the amount due.
10. Which building codes apply in Arlington Heights in 2026?
Village Chapter 23 lists locally amended 2018 residential and building codes and the 2017 National Electrical Code, along with other adopted standards. Check the latest ordinance for your permit date.