Frequently Asked Questions

Cash or check only (no credit card pay options available), payable to the Village of Vernon Hills.

If you have an HOA, the requester can make contact to inquire if an approval is needed for the permit request.  Submit approval proof with permit at turn in time. CLICK HERE VH HOA LISTING

No – We just require copies of roofing, plumbing (055 and 058) and electrical licenses where the work is applicable to the permit you are requesting.

1 year from release date

~Mon-Fri: 7a-7p   ~Saturdays: 8a-5p  ~Sundays:  NO Construction Hours

If the project cost is over $100,000 a Certificate of Insurance is required.  It must show covering the property (General Liability and Workmen’s Comp), assigned to the Village of VH as the Certificate Holder and showing the Village of VH as an additional insured.

The completion bond is a guarantee that final inspections will be completed for the project. Once the project is completed and closed, this cash bond will be refunded to the payer, 3 to 5 weeks after final inspections are completed. All inspections have to be called in with permit number and scheduled by a designee of the permitted project to avoid forfeit/loss of the completion bond refund. The Village does not automatically set up inspections. (Refer to actual permit placard for permit number and phone number to call for inspections.) 

Over Counter (OTC) Permits – immediate release (can wait in lobby, if mailed/dropped off - up to 1 business day.

Roof, water heater, siding/soffit, sealcoat (no repair work), ac/furnace, irrigation, some valve changes, emergency sewer repair, rooftop hvac.

Residential projects with plan reviews can take 7-10 business days.  There are no expedited permit offerings, applications stay in order of received dates, to remain fair to all applicants.

Commercial plan reviews – up to 20 business days.  There are no expedited permit offerings, applications stay in order of received dates, to remain fair to all applicants.

1 - Mail in check with permit application and requirements, attention to Building Dept.

Release of permit – Mail in check to VVH, Attn: Building Dept, Memo area put project address – VVH will email scans of permit placard, receipts and plans to given email address. 

2 - Bring check with permit application and requirements, into vestibule basket/bin on table.

Release of permit – Drop check to VVH basket in envelope, Attn: Building Dept, Memo area put project address – VVH will email scans of permit placard, receipts and plans (pending size) to given email address. 

3 - Front desk service – Face covering, social distance and counter assistance behind window.

 The Village of Vernon Hills Building Department is available, Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm for permit releases.

4 -After 5pm or weekends:  To the right of the VH Village Hall entrance door (gray tower) is a drop box.

Email scans will include the following

Permit placard, receipts, reports, and stamped plans up to 11x17. Larger plans can be held at Village counter.

Applications are not be accepted via fax due to clarity issues.  Email applications are accepted as a complete packet and for the following permit types: no fee permits and no plan review fee permits containing 8.5x11 plan sizes with a total of 5 pages or less in the packet.  Choose mailing in or vestibule drop with check included for limited contact options.

Call (847) 367-3700 with PERMIT NUMBER ready – cut off time for next day inspections are 3:30pm.  We do not do same day inspections or on Saturdays or Sundays.

Please note that we are not always able to get incoming phone lines due to attending counter customers and/or multiple calls to the main number. Lunch breaks take place from 1130-2p, where staffing is decreased and counter customers tend to be higher at this time.  Your patience is appreciated.  If you are calling about inspections, you can call the main number before 3:30pm, and leave a message with your permit number and inspection needed. Outside inspections do not need anyone on site, make sure permit/plans are accessible and posted to inspector in a gallon ziploc bag.

VH Ordinances - CLICK HERE   Development Codes - CLICK HERE   

2018 International Building Code with local amendments                 2018 International Residential Code

2018 International Energy Conservation Code                                    2014 Illinois State Plumbing Code

2018 International Mechanical Code                                                    2017 National Electrical Code with local amendments

2018 International Fire Prevention Code with local amendments      2018 Illinois State Accessibility Code

2018 International Property Maintenance Code with local amendments

All building permit fees can be found here - CLICK HERE.                           

Please find below fee calculation assistance for residential permits.  These fees are not applicable to new construction homes.

Please find below fee calculation assistance for commercial permit estimates.  However, only plan review fees are paid at time of submitting application packet.  Other fees noted, will come at approval notification time.

PLAN REV FEES - $75 or .002 x cost of job  $______________________           (Fee to pay when submitting application packet)

COMMERCIAL PERMIT FEES BELOW ARE NOTIFIED AT PERMIT APPROVAL TIME

WAIT TO GET CONFIRMATION OF FINAL AMOUNTS BEFORE PAYING IN ADVANCE

PERMITS                                                        COMPLETION BONDS 

1% cost of job/ $75 minimum                      < $5000 - $50         $5001-15,000 - $150          > $15001 – 1% ($5000 limit)

*Fire department fees range: $200.00 - $319.00, and up pending additional reviews or fire system/services.

*Engineer fees (sitework, commercial parking lots, landscape, certain building issues) can apply, if applicable.

Call (847) 367-3700 and you will be connected.  Inspectors do inspections during the day, so they can return calls when they are in the office.