Building Permits & Projects

Accessory building means a building such as a garage, playhouse or greenhouse, which is an accessory to the main building already existing on the same lot. Any accessory structure with a roof is considered an accessory building. Accessory buildings with footprints equal to or greater than 240 square feet are qualified as detached garages. Accessory buildings with footprints less than 240 square feet shall constitute a shed. Lots less than 2.5 acres in size can have one detached garage and one shed; lots 2.5 acres or more can have up to two detached garages and one shed. Contact the Village Office prior to construction to obtain necessary permits for an accessory building. Accessory structures are permitted in the rear and side yards and must comply with the following:

• Cannot be closer than 10 feet to the principal structure.
• Accessory uses and detached accessory structures shall not exceed 16 feet in building height, without approval by the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission may authorize a higher height.
• Accessory uses and detached accessory structures shall not exceed 1500 square feet, without the approval of the Plan Commission. The Plan Commission may authorize up to 3000 square feet upon application.
• Accessory structures cannot occupy more than 30% of the rear yard.
• Cannot be utilized for residential living space.

For information specific to detached garages, view the Detached Garages brochure.

A permit is needed from the building inspector for all new fences prior to beginning any work. Keep in mind that Village ordinances require all fences to be maintained to avoid noticeable leaning, missing sections, broken supports and non-uniform heights.

Height
Fences in the rear or side yard may not exceed 6 feet. Fences in the street yard may not exceed 3½ feet. Corner lot side yard fences may be increased to a maximum of 6 feet but must be set back a minimum of 10 feet from the lot line. A supporting fence post that is set into the ground may exceed the heights specified above by 6 inches. Fences cannot exceed 2½ feet in height when located within a vision clearance triangle unless approved by Plan Commission.

Location
Fences may typically be located on the lot line and within the building setbacks established for each zoning district. A fence may not be located within a public drainage easement or
within a public right-of-way.

Aesthetics
The “good” (finished) side of a fence shall face toward the adjoining property and toward the public road right-of-way. Fence posts shall be placed on the inner side of the fence. Metal fence posts shall be set in concrete bases.

Prohibited Materials
No barbed wire, creosote-covered materials, electrified wire (except for underground dog containment electrical fences), or other injurious materials within a residentially zoned district. Such materials are also not allowed in non-residential districts, unless approved by a conditional use permit and site plan review.

Maintenance
Every fence shall be maintained in a condition of reasonable repair and not be allowed to become or remain in a condition of disrepair including noticeable leaning, missing sections, broken supports, non-uniform heights, and non-removal of noxious weeds or similar vegetation.

All private swimming pools require a building permit and application for permits shall be accompanied by plans, before construction commences. Following is an overview of Village regulations relating to swimming pools:

• Every swimming pool needs to be constructed to facilitate cleaning and shall be maintained to be clean and sanitary at all times.
• Any lights illuminating such swimming pool shall eliminate direct rays and minimize reflected rays of light onto adjoining properties and roadways.
• Except as provided below, a fence with a minimum height of 48 inches shall completely surround all swimming pools. There shall be no opening in said fence larger than six inches square. All gates or doors opening through such enclosure shall be kept securely closed at all times while unattended and shall be equipped with a self-closing and self-latching device capable of keeping such door or gate securely closed. Such fences shall be erected in such manner that there shall be an apron of level surface at least three feet in width surrounding all sides of the pool and conform to the side yard requirements for accessory buildings.
• A fence is not required around an above-ground swimming pools where the pool wall is at least 48 inches in height above grade for the full pool perimeter, and provided that all ladders, steps or other means of access to the pool are removed and/or designed to prevent access when the pool is unattended.
• The Plan Commission may also waive the fencing requirement for any pool with an approved safety pool cover that also complies with any site-specific safety and/or nuisance-related conditions placed upon such approval.
• All swimming pools must be equipped with an adequate self-contained filtration and recirculating system detached from any potable water supply or waste disposal system.
• Pools shall not drain into sanitary sewers, roadside ditches or neighboring properties. Pool waste water may be used for irrigation by surface or subsurface spreading providing no hazard, nuisance or unsanitary condition will occur in the opinion of the health officer, building inspector or the Director of Public Works.

Swimming pool regulations do not apply to storable children’s swimming or wading pools, with a maximum dimension of 15 feet and a maximum wall height of 15 inches and which are so constructed that they may be readily disassembled for storage and reassembled to their original integrity.

View the Basement Remodeling Brochure for more information.