Community Development Center
Building & Planning Departments
921 S. State Street
Lockport, Illinois 60441-3497

 

THE BUILDING AND PLANNING DEPARTMENTS ARE LOCATED
IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CENTER AT 
921 S. STATE STREET, LOCKPORT, IL  60441.

If you have any questions, please call the City of Lockport Community Development Center at 815-838-0549 -

Building Department - Option 5
Jamie Myers, Administrative Assistant, Building Dept.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT

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NOW THAT SPRING IS HERE PLEASE REMEMBER YOU NEED A PERMIT FOR A NEW PATIO!!!  

For your convenience, the Building Department has posted our forms and applications on-line.

Click HERE for registration application.

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ATTENTION PLUMBERS 

A letter of intent shall be included with all plumbing permit applications. The letter shall be written on the licensed plumber of record's business stationery and shall include the license holder's signature and, if the license holder is incorporated, the license holder's corporate seal. If the license holder is not incorporated, the letter MUST by notarized.

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Click HERE for an above ground pool application.

Click HERE for information on in-ground pool requirements.

Click HERE for a list of the building codes the City uses.

Click HERE for information on deck requirements.

Click HERE for information on detached garage requirements.

Click HERE for information on driveway requirements.

Click HERE for information on electrical service requirements.

Click HERE for information on fence requirements.

Click HERE for information on permits within the Historic District.

Click HERE for information on hot tub requirements.

Click HERE for lawn sprinkler system requirements.

Click HERE for information on remodeling requirements.

Click HERE for information on residential roofing requirements.

Click HERE for information on shed requirements.

Click HERE for information on street and parkway excavation requirements.

Click HERE for a miscellaneous permit form.

Click HERE for a new business occupancy permit.

Click HERE for a six month extension request form.

WHEN A PERMIT IS REQUIRED

A written permit shall be obtained from the Building Department, whose office is located in Lockport City Hall or elsewhere as the City Council may direct, before starting.

To establish any use of property.
To change the use of any building, structure or land from one use to another.
To excavate or change the grade of the property.
To erect, construct, alter, enlarge or move any building or structure which would include, but not be limited to: additions, signs, sheds, decks, porches, patios, swimming pools, fences, retaining walls, a fireplace, car ports, a canopy, a satellite dish 36” or greater, public sidewalks, driveways, and lawn sprinkling systems.
For installation of plumbing, electrical and mechanical systems.
For alterations or replacement of water supply lines, sanitary and storm sewer drainage lines, soil, waste lines, vent lines, gas lines, or similar piping, electrical wiring and electrical services, mechanical systems, re-roofs, and siding.
For alterations and repairs, which include the cutting away of any wall, portion.  The removal or cutting of any structural beams or bearing support.  The removal or change of any required means of egress affecting the exit requirements for the building (replacement of doors and windows with the same size and operating standards does not constitute a change).
To demolish or remove a building or structure.

 

HISTORIC PRESERVATION DISTRICT

 A permit shall be required to be attained from the Heritage and Architecture Commission for the following work in the Historic Preservation District:

Removal of paint from masonry surfaces
Application of paint to masonry surfaces
Addition or removal of siding
Replacement of window sash or window units
Removal or replacement of porch spindles, window and door trim, and other decorative architectural elements.
Removal or addition of window shutters
Removal, replacement or addition of canopies
Removal or additions of fences
Removal or replacement of limestone sidewalks

It shall be the duty of the property owner and/or contractor or agent performing the work for the property owner to obtain from the Building Department a building permit before commencing any work.  Failure to do so shall double the permit fee cost, if an when issued.  This provision does not suspend enforcement of any penalties under Section 116 and 117.

   WHEN A PERMIT IS NOT REQUIRED

A permit is not required from the City for ordinary, nonstructural repairs or structures.  Such repairs would include but not be limited to:

Installation of Invisible Fence (be sure to call J.U.L.I.E. before you dig)
Painting
Patching
Tuckpointing
Patching of roof
Replacement of floor coverings
Kitchen cabinets
Wall coverings
Electrical fixtures or plumbing including hot water heaters or water softeners.
Installation of private sidewalks
Installation of aluminum fascia, soffits or gutters.
Installation of windows or doors with the same size and type or installation of storm windows or doors.

 

Miscellaneous Fees:

Awning Commercial $50
Canopy Commercial $50
Canopy Residential $25
Carport $50
Deck 144 square feet or less $35
Deck more than 144 square feet $50
Detached Garage $150
Detached Garage w/electric $180
Driveways $25
Electrical (excluding new construction) $30
Electrical services-200 amps or less $50
Electrical services--more than 200 amps $75
Fence $25
Fireplace after construction $35
Hot tub/Jacuzzi $55
Parking lot/new resurface $100
Plumbing (excluding new construction) $30
Lawn sprinkler system $30
Open porch $35
Public walk $25
Re-roof commercial $50
Re-room house/garage $25
Re-roof porch, garage or shed  $15
Retaining walls $25
Satellite Dish 30" or larger $30
Shed 144 square feet or less $25
Shed more than 144 square feet $75
Siding/brick veneer $25
Swimming pool-above ground residential $55
Swimming pool-in-ground residential $175

 

Fee schedule for permit fees shall be as set 
forth in the following table:

Building Value/Construction Cost                            Fee

$0 and less than $300 $15
$300 and less than $2,500 $40
$2,500 and less than $4,500 $70
$4,500 and less than $6,500 $100
$6,500 and less than $8,500 $150
$8,500 and less than $10,500 $175
$10,500 and less than $12,500 $200
$12,500 and less than $15,000 $300
$15,000 and less than $20,000 $475
$20,000 and less than $30,000 $575
$30,000 and less than $40,000 $675
$40,000 and less than $50,000 $775
$50,000 and less than $60,000 $850
$60,000 and less than $65,000 $900
$65,000 and less than $70,000 $925
$70,000 and less than $75,000 $935
$75,000 and less than $80,000 $950
$80,000 and less than $85,000 $965
$85,000 and less than $90,000 $975
$90,000 and less than $95,000 $1,000
$95,000 and less than $100,000 $1,050
$100,000 and less than $105,000 $1,100
$105,000 and less than $110,000 $1,150
$110,000 and less than $115,000 $1,200
$115,000 and less than $120,000 $1,250
$120,000 and less than $125,000 $1,300
$125,000 and less than $130,000 $1,350
$130,000 and less than $135,000 $1,400
$135,000 and less than $140,000 $1,425
$140,000 and less than $145,000 $1,450
$145,000 and less than $150,000 $1,500
$150,000 and less than $155,000 $1,525
$155,000 and less than $160,000 $1,550
$160,000 and less than $165,000 $1,575
$165,000 and less than $170,000 $1,600
$170,000 and less than $175,000 $1,650
$175,000 and less than $180,000 $1,700
$180,000 and less than $185,000 $1,750
$185,000 and less than $190,000 $1,800
$190,000 and less than $195,000 $1,850
$195,000 and less than $200,000 $1,900
$200,000 and less than $500,000 add 6.50/1000
$500,000 and less than $1,000,000 add 6/1000
$1,000,000 or more than add 5/1000

Whenever a re-inspection is required, due to incorrect, incomplete or inaccurate information or construction, there shall be no re-inspection fee for the first re-inspection.  The first re-inspection is $30.00, and any reoccurring inspection is $50.00.

 Plan Review Fees of Consultants:

 Whenever Building Plans are sent to the City of Lockport or to an Agency or Consultant to review the plans for Code Compliance, the Owner or Contractor shall be liable to pay the costs.

 CONTRACTOR’S BOND

 (A)  Prior to the issuance of a building permit for a new structure, accessory structures (such as in-ground swimming pools and garages), the remodeling of an existing structure where any excavation or dirt removal will be conducted, a cash deposit in the following amounts for the following structures shall be deposited with the Building Department for the purpose of assuring the prompt removal of any dirt, mud, stone or debris deposited on any street, sidewalk or alley within the City by a general contractor or any of his subcontractors, namely:

Single-family and two-family residential--$300/building

Townhouse, multi-family, commercial and industrial structures--$500/building

Accessory structures such as in-ground swimming pools, above-ground pools, garages, and additions--$100

Remodeling of existing structures where any excavation or dirt removal will be conducted--$100

BUILDING CODES

The following is a list of the current codes enforced by the City of Lockport.

 Building Code:  

2000 International Building Code with Amendments

2000 International Residential Code with Amendments

Amendments:

You can obtain a copy of the Amendments from the Building Department.

 Mechanical Code:  

2000 International Mechanical Code

Plumbing Code:  

2004 State Plumbing Code with Amendments  

Plumbing Amendments:

 Section 890.180. Amended to read as follows: No water piping shall be allowed in exterior walls or overhang.

 Section 890.210 (c) Amended to read as follows: Water piping under concrete floors shall be kept k-copper with flared fittings.

 Section 890.1580e Amended to read as follows: 2” minimum for vent piping under concrete floors.  

Electrical Code:  

2002 National Electric Code with Amendments

Electric Amendments:

You can obtain a copy of the Amendments from the Building Department.

 

SIDEWALKS AND DRIVEWAY APRONS

 All residential driveways shall consist of either 4” of concrete, on 5” of compacted gravel base, and welded wire mesh or equivalent, or 2” of asphalt on 5” of compacted gravel base.

 Aprons shall be 6” thick concrete on 5” of compacted gravel or 3” of asphalt on 8” of compacted gravel.

Public walk in driveway area must be 6” thick concrete on 5” of compacted gravel.  All other public walk 5” thick concrete on 5” of compacted gravel.

 Driveway widths allowed at public walk and/or curb is:

1 + 2 car garages = 24’

3 car garages = 30’

 

 NEW RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION PERMITS

 

 3 sets of construction plans to be submitted with completed application.  Plans to include:

Foundation and framing details.
Plumbing riser showing drains and vents placement and sizing.
Electrical plan showing MDP location.  Wiring sizing and the circuit identification number of outlets on the circuit and the amperage rating.

Review will generate a written report, which will be sent to applicant for preparation of resubmittal to address code deficiencies found in review.  All deficiencies must be corrected on each set of plans.

Second review should resolve all deficiencies; if not, a meeting with the applicant may be in order.

 No permit will be issued until all documentation has been provided and approved.

 

GRADING PLANS AND SURVEYS

Application:  a permit plat/grading plan conforming to 152.040 of the City Code must be submitted with the construction documents to qualify for a permit

After the foundation has been completed, a spot survey showing that the basic drainage routes have been established and the actual top of the foundation must be submitted and approved before further construction can proceed.

On completion of the final grading, a final topographical survey must be submitted showing substantial conformance with the original permit plat and approval PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY OR TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.

Most local surveyors, engineers and general contractors have copies of our grading code in their files.  If your surveyor does not have a copy, have the surveyor contact us at 815-838-0549.

 POSITIVE FOUNDATION GRADING

 Top of Foundation must be 8 inches above the surrounding grade.  The final grade must drop not less than 6 inches in the first 10 feet or to the lot line, whichever is the lesser distance.

 Note: Non-wood siding and non-wood fastening strips or a brick ledge below the top of foundation will allow brick or siding to cover the exposed top of foundation to the grade.

 

REQUIRED BUILDING INSPECTION SCHEDULE

 

During the construction period while the project is under construction, code mandated inspections must take place to insure the construction is being carried out to the approved plan and to the City’s constructions code minimums.  To carry out these mandates, the city code inspectors will make site visits to perform this work when scheduled.

 

EACH INSPECTION MUST BE COMPLETED BEFORE THE NEXT STEP IN THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS TAKES PLACE.  NO WORK MAY BE COVERED WITHOUT INSPECTION APPROVAL.

 INSPECTIONS MUST BE SCHEDULED 24 TO 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE BY CALLING 815-838-0549.

 

FOOTING (after forming, but before pouring).
FOUNDATION BOX (to verify rebar prior to pouring).
FOUNDATION WATERPROOF AND DRAINAGE (before backfill around the foundation).
SEWER and WATER UNDERGROUND SERVICE.
PLUMBING ROUGH IN.
ELECTRICAL ROUGH IN.
STRUCTURAL FRAMING ROUGH (prior to installation or dry wall).
ALL FLOORS, DRIVES, PUBLIC WALKS (same as footings).
FINAL INSPECTIONS (plumbing, electrical and building)

 THE SET OF PLANS STAMPED AS THE SITE COPY BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT MUST BE ON SITE FOR ALL INSPECTIONS OR THE INSPECTION WILL NOT BE PERFORMED.

All finals must be approved prior to occupancy.

 

TEMPORARY OCCUPANCY BOND FEE SCHEDULE

 

Because certain City Ordinance required work, which is weather dependent, we allow, on a case-by-case basis, certain work to be done after occupancy occurs.

 Part of allowing a temporary occupancy permit is the posting of bonds in the form of cash, surety, or other negotiable instruments for weather related items that must be completed by specific times.

             The following schedule is our current bonding levels.

             Remember, all of these items are weather driven and judged on a case-by-case basis.  The City Building Official makes final determinations.  

                       

LANDSCAPE BOND $500
TREE BOND (PER TREE)* $250
DRIVEWAY BOND $1,000
FINAL SURVEY BOND $1,000
FINAL GRADING $1,000
SIDEWALK BOND $20/LINEAR FOOT

 

NOTE: General contractors/Homeowners may want to consider posting a surety bond at the start of a project to cover bonding at the end of the project. (Developer has the option to use a surety bond to also cover the landscaping –tree bond.  A homeowner or builder does not have the surety bond option when it applies to landscaping/trees).   

*Trees to be planted in the City parkways shall be selected from the tree species listed below, unless in the opinion of the Planning Commission or the Director of Public Works, the tree will not survive, be a nuisance in the location or locations indicated, or result in an over-population of a species in the area.  The following is a list of trees, which may be approved, and not necessarily a recommendation.

Tree Selection

**1.  Norway Maple **11.  Honey Locust (Thornless and seedless)
        Schwedler 12.     Kentucky Coffee Tree
        Crimson King Maple 13.     European Larch
        Emerald Queens 14.     Northern Red Oak
        Summer Shade 15.     Burr Oak
**2.  Green Ash (seedless) 16.     English Oak
        Marshall **17.  Linden
        Summit           Greenspire
3.     Red Maple           Redmond
        October Glory 18.     Horsechestnut
        Red Sunset 19.     Sweet Gum
        Cardinal 20.     Kwansan Cherry
4.     Sugar Maple 21.     Sargent Cherry
5.     European Black Alder 22.     Bradford Pear
6.     Hackberry **23.  Hybird American Elm
7.     European Beech 24.     Others as approved by the City Engineer
8.     Copper Lead Beech  
9.     White Ash  
         Rosehill  
         Autumn Purple  
10.    Ginko or Maidenhair Tree (male only)  

** Those species which have been found to be most compatible with the range of conditions found in the City of Lockport.

(TREES TO BE 2 1/2" INCH DIAMETER OR LARGER AT 6 INCHES FROM THE GROUND)