Building Permits

Work that Requires a Permit:

• Any new buildings or additions to buildings
• New or replacement detached garages, yard sheds, fences, gazebos, pergolas
• Disturbance of any walls/drywall
• Signage, including change of box sign panels
• Swimming pools, ponds, and spas two (2) feet or more in depth
• Revisions to electrical service, new circuits, receptacles, and light fixtures
• New or replacement furnaces, boilers, and air conditioning units
• Relocation of plumbing fixtures
• Sewer and water line repairs
• Installation of sewer cleanouts, flood control valves, and overhead sewers
• Changes in grade to your lot
• Water heaters, AC units, and furnaces
• Flatwork, including patios, driveways, and sidewalks (concrete, asphalt, pavers, and similar materials)

NOTICE: All permit applications for new and replacement detached garages and accessory structures measuring 400 square feet or greater require a drainage plan to be submitted with the application.

Work that Does Not Require a Permit:

• Normal maintenance of electrical, plumbing, and mechanical systems
• Power rodding of sewer lines
• Replacement windows and doors in existing openings
• Swimming pools, ponds, and spas less than two (2) feet deep
• Temporary signage (requires prior Village authorization, contact Department staff at 847-663-3062 or commdev@mortongroveil.org with questions)

Permit Application

• Application forms are available online or may be obtained at Building & Inspectional Services.
• Submit the completed application form along with the necessary plans for review and approval to Building & Inspectional Services at 6101 Capulina Avenue.
• See the application form for the number of hard copy sets needed, which varies by type of application. Typically, applications must include a plat of survey depicting all existing structures, a site plan, and construction plans.
• View current building and construction codes.

• All contractors and subcontractors (other than landscapers and painters) working in the Village require a Village Contractor’s License. Contractors can apply for a Contractor’s License by submitting the Contractor’s License Application.
• All licensed contractors must provide liability insurance and a $10,000 surety bond for the type of work they perform.
• General contractors and any contractors working within the Village’s right of way must show proof of liability insurance.
• The Village of Morton Grove must be named as an additional insured on the policy using an ISO form GC2026 or the equivalent.
• A Village Contractor’s License is valid for a twelve-month (12-month) period from the date of issuance.

Utility Disconnects: Water services must be disconnected and capped at the Village water main. Sanitary and storm sewer lines must be disconnected and sealed at the Village sewer mains. Contact Public Works at 847-470-5235 for location information.

Cook County Demolition Permit: Demolition of any building, detached garage, or structural element of a building (i.e. removal of a roof or bearing wall) requires a Cook County Demolition Permit. Obtain a Cook County Demolition Permit at www.cookcountyil.gov/service/demolition-permitting.

Demolition Waste: Review the Village’s Demolition & Construction Waste Requirements.

Demolition Fencing: All demolition sites must be completely enclosed by a six-foot (6′) high chain link construction fence.

Village Sanitarian: The Village’s Sanitarian works through Building and Inspectional Services to protect public health by ensuring that food service establishments in Morton Grove operate in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner. A licensed environmental health practitioner conducts required inspections of restaurants, food establishments, and other facilities subject to Village health and environmental regulations.

Inspections help ensure that food is properly stored, prepared, and handled; equipment and facilities are maintained in sanitary condition; and applicable health and safety requirements are followed. The Village also conducts follow-up inspections when necessary to address violations and protect the health and safety of the community. Food service establishments are responsible for maintaining safe food-handling practices and complying with all applicable Village, County, and State requirements.

Temporary Food Permits: Commercial food vendors providing temporary food service in the Village must obtain a Temporary Food Permit prior to service. Submit the following form to Building and Inspectional Services at Village Hall (6101 Capulina Avenue) or by email to building@mortongroveil.org.

• Temporary Food Permit Application

Food Service Inspections: To request a food service establishment inspection, please call 847-663-3042. For questions relating to food service establishment requirements, please email building@mortongroveil.org.

Report a Concern: To report a food service establishment or health-related concern, please contact Building and Inspectional Services at 847-470-5214 or email building@mortongroveil.org. You may also file a report with the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) by visiting cookcountypublichealth.org. 

The Illinois Attorney General’s Office provides information on Illinois law related to avoiding home repair fraud and your three-day right to cancel contracts. Review the following online resources before starting your next project:

• Avoid Common Consumer Scams
• Protect Yourself From Scams
• Avoid Home Repair Fraud
• Filing a Consumer Complaint with the Illinois Attorney General

Code Enforcement Officers enforce the International Property Maintenance Code (2018) and conduct regular surveys of residential properties to identify deficiencies that may negatively impact neighborhoods and property values. Common deficiencies include peeling paint, improper outdoor storage, abandoned or inoperable vehicles, and overgrown vegetation.

Commercial and industrial properties are also surveyed for compliance with minimum property maintenance standards appropriate to their respective uses.

To report a property maintenance concern, please contact Building and Inspectional Services at 847-470-5214 or email building@mortongroveil.org.

Development in Morton Grove may be subject to additional requirements for utilities, stormwater management, and other infrastructure. A project development team must coordinate with applicable agencies and service providers to ensure projects meet Village, regional, and other applicable standards.

Utilities: Projects in the Village are subject to the following local utility requirements:

• Title 7 – Public Properties & Utilities
• Unified Development Code Chapter 12-10 – Utilities

A utility atlas is a specialized map or digital geographic information system (GIS) record detailing the exact location, size, and depth of underground and overhead infrastructure like water mains, sanitary sewers, and storm drains. You can request a utility atlas for your project area by emailing publicworks@mortongroveil.org.

Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) Permits: The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) enforces the Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) to regulate floodplain management, stormwater detention, volume control, and sewer construction across Cook County. A project development team must coordinate directly with the MWRD to obtain a permit. The Village may require a permit letter of determination from MWRD’s Engineering Department. The Village will not issue a certificate of occupancy for a project until an MWRD permit is closed out and all required external permitting, reviews, and inspections are completed.

Stormwater Requirements: The Village maintains its rights to enforce the Village’s stormwater management and detention requirements as applicable under Section 12-10-4 of the Unified Development Code. Stormwater management improvements may be required even when a project is not subject to MWRD requirements.

Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Permits: Per 605 ILCS 5/4 209, IDOT requires a permit when working within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state-maintained roadway. A permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work and a copy of the approved permit must be at the worksite at all times. To begin the IDOT permit process, contact the IDOT District 1 office (201 West Center Court, Schaumburg, Illinois 60196) by calling 847-705-4401. Local roadways under IDOT jurisdiction include:

• Golf Road
• Dempster Street
• Oakton Street
• Harlem Avenue
• Waukegan Road
• Caldwell Avenue

Commonwealth Edison: When applicable, a project development team should consult with ComEd about utilities for proposed developments. These items should be noted on the submitted site plan. Learn more about working with ComEd for construction and remodeling projects at www.comed.com/my-account/my-service/construction-remodeling.

Zoning regulations establish how a property may be developed and influence the design, placement, and appearance of improvements, including principal and accessory structures, flatwork, fencing, signage, and other site features. These standards help ensure consistency, predictability, and compatibility in the look and feel of the Village’s neighborhoods and commercial districts.

• The Department of Community and Economic Development administers and enforces zoning regulations established in the Unified Development Code and signage regulations established in Chapter 10-10 of the Morton Grove Municipal Code.
• Department staff is available to provide residents, businesses, and property owners with assistance in understanding and complying with zoning requirements for projects of all sizes. For more information on Morton Grove’s zoning regulations, please visit the zoning webpage.
• The Department of Community and Economic Development provides staff support to the Zoning Board of Appeals, Plan Commission, and Appearance Commission, which may approve variations to select requirements of the Unified Development Code (Title 12) and the Village’s Sign Regulations (Chapter 10-10).
• For zoning-related questions, call 8847-663-3062 or email commdev@mortongroveil.org.