Building Permit Information

Office Hours: M-F  8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Phone: 309.444.1122
Fax:  309.444.9779

Building & Zoning Supervisor
Becky Holmes
bholmes@ci.washington.il.us

Building Inspector
Wally King

Mailing Address
City of Washington
301 Walnut Street
Washington, IL  61571

Adopted Building Codes:  2006 International Building & Residential Code (IBC & IRC)
Adopted Mechanical Code:  2006 International Mechanical Code 
Adopted Electrical Code:  Current National Electrical Code (NEC)
Adopted Plumbing Code:  Current Illinois Plumbing Code
Adopted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code:  101 Life Safety Code, 2006 Edition
(Copies are available at City Hall for viewing)

The Planning & Development issues building permits for all structural improvements to buildings or properties within Washington's city limits. Most permits are issued during your visit while you wait. Complicated projects such as new construction require up to 48 hours for review prior to permit issuance.

Building permits are issued for a period of six (6) months with an option to renew if construction continues. the building permit and inspection process enables City staff to review project compliance with locally adopted codes and regulations.

The list below includes many common building projects for which a building permit is, or is not, required. If your project is not listed please contact the Building & Zoning Supervisor at the phone number or email address above to see if a building permit is required.

Adopted Building Code:  2006 International Residential Code (IRC)
Adopted Mechanical Code:  2006 International Mechanical Code 
Adopted Electrical Code:  Current National Electrical Code (NEC)
Adopted Plumbing Code:  Current Illinois Plumbing Code
Adopted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code:  101 Life Safety Code, 2006 Edition
(Copies are available at City Hall for viewing)

What to Bring     (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the example and form below. Download the free viewer here").

• Site Plan (a scaled drawing showing property boundaries, proposed buildings and improvements (including driveway location and width), and setbacks from buildings to property lines).  Example. Be sure you are aware of any easements, including utilities, that may be on your property. JULIE may be contacted at 1.800.892.0123 if you are in need of assistance.
• Complete set of Construction Plans (a scaled drawing showing size & depth of footing/foundation; dimensioned floor plan; plan elevations, electrical plan; and plumbing plan).
• Completed Residential Building Permit Application

After the site plan, construction plans, and information form are submitted a plan review will be completed for the construction. Permits are generally issued the following business day.

Zoning Setback Requirements - New Home and Addition Construction

Note that the side yard measurements in the table below must be taken from the overhang of the structure and all other measurements in the table are made from the structure wall.
Be sure to check restrictive covenants within the subdivision you are building - their front yard setback may be greater than 25'

*  Each not less than five (5) feet from the facia (overhang) of the building to the lot line, and the sum of the two (2) side yards shall not be less than twelve (12) feet. For zero lot line duplexes in R-1, only one (1) side yard of nine (9) feet need be provided for each dwelling unit, and on a corner lot, there shall be two (2) front yards of not less than twenty-five (25) feet facing each of the streets. For zero lot line duplexes in R-2, each side yard shall have not less than five (5) feet from the facia (overhang) of the building to the lot line, and the sum of the two (2) side yards shall not be less than twelve (12) feet.
**  Each not less than 20', but in no event less than 20% of the depth of the lot.

What Fees to Expect

Building Permit Fees:  $20 filing fee plus $2 for every $1,000 in estimated R.S. Means construction value (R.S. Means construction value is calculated using the most recent edition of the R.S. Means Square Foot Costs manual). If construction commences without a valid building permit, the above fee shall be doubled. Only property owners or an authorized agent can sign the permit application. Construction value is in no way associated with the assessed value of the property.

Water and Sewer Fees:  $415 Water Connection Fee, $4,317 Sewer Connection Fee, $500 Water Construction Fee ($400 of said fee shall be reimbursed based on the following: that a passing meter inspection is made by city personnel prior to the installation of the lawn (sod or seed) and/or landscaping at the subject property. In the event that a passing meter inspection is not achieved prior to the installation of the lawn and landscaping, the $400 reimbursable fee shall be forfeited. A $50 charge will be deducted from the $400 reimbursable fee and retained by the city for each and every water meter re-inspection needed), and $110 Water Meter Fee.

Reimbursable Inspection Fees:  $100 water/sewer connection, $100 footing/foundation, $100 framing, and $100 final. All fees for which an inspection call has been made are reimbursed upon the final inspection of the project. If more than one re-inspection of the initial noted corrections is required, the inspection fee for that phase will be forfeited. If final inspection is not made prior to occupancy, the entire $400 will be forfeited.

What Inspections to Expect

The property owner must notify the City for one (1) water/sewer/sump inspection. No excavations may be filled nor any connections made without a City inspection.

It is the owner's responsibility to notify the City during normal business hours, at least one (1) business day (twenty-four hours) in advance of the following three (3) phases of construction:

• Prior to pouring concrete or setting block for the foundation and prior to backfill.  Principal items to be inspected include the setbacks, footing and foundation widths and depths, reinforcing steel, and foundation drainage.
• Prior to covering over the framing and roughed-in electrical and plumbing.  Principal items to be inspected include the frame, floor joists, firestopping, roof trusses, and roughed-in electrical wiring, circuits and grounding.  Roughed-in plumbing will be viewed and if questioned the State Plumbing Inspector will be contacted.  This inspection is done prior to exterior siding installation.
• Upon completion of the building or structure and before the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.  Principal items to be inspected include a final check of the structure, interior and exterior walls, roof, operability of fixtures and equipment, and final electrical inspection of conductors, lighting and receptacles, circuits and water meter installation.

A license is required for electricians.  In order to obtain a certificate of registration to install electrical equipment an electrician can submit a current license issued by any of the following communities: Peoria, IL, Bloomington, IL, Springfield, IL, Decatur, IL, Pekin, IL, Ottawa, IL, Joliet, IL, or any other Illinois testing community upon verification by the city building official.  Upon receipt, the City will issue an electrical certificate of registration.

Inspections focus only upon the work which is the subject of the Building Permit.

Adopted Building Code:  2006 International Residential Code (IRC)
Adopted Mechanical Code:  2006 International Mechanical Code 
Adopted Electrical Code:  Current National Electrical Code (NEC)
Adopted Plumbing Code:  Current Illinois Plumbing Code
Adopted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code:  101 Life Safety Code, 2006 Edition
(Copies are available at City Hall for viewing)

What to Bring     (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the example below. Download the free viewer here").

• Site Plan (a dimensioned drawing showing property boundary dimensions, existing and proposed buildings and improvements, dimensions of all buildings, and distances or setbacks from buildings to property lines). Example.
• Name, address, and phone number of property owner and contractor.  Be sure you are aware of any easements, including utilities, that may be on your property.  JULIE may be contacted at 1.800.892.0123 if you are in need of assistance.
• Completed Accessory Building Permit Application

Building permits for this type of construction are generally issued while you wait.

What Fees to Expect

Building Permit Fee:  $20 filing fee plus $2 for every $1,000 in estimated material construction value. With the exception to permits issued for pools, fences, and storage sheds under 200 square feet, the above fee shall be no less than $40. If construction commences without a valid building permit, the above fee shall be doubled. Only property owners or an authorized agent can sign the permit application.

Inspections

It is the owner's responsibility to notify the City during normal business hours, at least one (1) business day (twenty-four hours) in advance of the following phases of construction:

• Prior to pouring concrete or setting block for the foundation and prior to backfill.  Principal items to be inspected include the setbacks, footing and foundation widths and depths, reinforcing steel, and foundation drainage.
• Prior to covering over the framing and roughed-in electrical and plumbing.  Principal items to be inspected include the frame, floor joists, firestopping, roof trusses, and roughed-in electrical wiring, circuits and grounding.  Roughed-in plumbing will be viewed and if questioned the State Plumbing Inspector will be contacted.  This inspection is done prior to exterior siding installation.
• Upon completion of the building or structure and before the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.  Principal items to be inspected include a final check of the structure, interior and exterior walls, roof, operability of fixtures and equipment, and final electrical inspection of conductors, lighting and receptacles, circuits and water meter installation.

Inspection Requirements Based on Type of Construction

Inspections focus only upon the work which is the subject of the Building Permit.  Inspectors will review the building to determine compliance with the 2003 International Residential Code.  Copies are available for review at City Hall.

Adopted Building Code:  2006 International Building Code (IBC)
Adopted Mechanical Code:  2006 International Mechanical Code 
Adopted Electrical Code:  Current National Electrical Code (NEC)
Adopted Plumbing Code:  Current Illinois Plumbing Code
Adopted National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code:  101 Life Safety Code, 2006 Edition
(Copies are available at City Hall for viewing)

What to Bring     (You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the form below. Download the free viewer here").

• Site Plan (a scaled drawing showing property boundaries, proposed buildings and improvements (including driveway location and width), and distances or setbacks from buildings to property lines).  Be sure you are aware of any easements, including utilities, that may be on your property. JULIE may be contacted at 1.800.892.0123 if you are in need of assistance.
• Complete set of Construction Plans (a scaled drawing showing size & depth of footing/foundation; dimensioned floor plan; plan elevations, electrical plan; plumbing plan; BOCA occupancy classification, construction type, and distance to existing buildings if under 30').  Plans must be sealed by a registered design professional.
• For commercial and industrial developments, all applications for building permits must comply in all respects to the stormwater control provisions of the Subdivision Code, including, but not by way of limitation, §152.002(C), §152.016, and §152.024, as amended from time to time.
• Completed Commerical Building Permit Application

***  Where the rear yard adjoins another business property and where loading and unloading space is located elsewhere on the property, and where the building is not more than one story in height the rear yard may be reduced five feet.
****  When adjoining a residence district any side yard shall not be less than 25'.

What Fees to Expect

Building Permit Fees:  $20 filing fee plus $2 for every $1,000 in estimated R.S. Means construction value (R.S. Means construction value is calculated using the most recent edition of the R.S. Means Square Foot Costs manual). If construction commences without a valid building permit, the above fee shall be doubled. Fees are reduced by 50% in the City's Enterprise Zone.  Only property owners or an authorized agent can sign the permit application. Construction value is in no way associated with the assessed value of the property.

Water and Sewer Fees:  Utility connection fees are charged per water meter and are determined by the size of water meter as follows:

Meter Size		Water Connection Fee	Meter Size		Sewer Connection Fee
5/8 inch		$415.00	5/8 inch		$4,317.00
3/4 inch		$620.00	3/4 inch		$6,477.50
1 inch		$1,035.00	1 inch		$10,795.00
1-1/2 inch		$2,070.00	1-1/2 inch		$21,590.00
2 inch		$3,310.00	2 inch		$34,544.00
Larger Sizes		Prorated by continuous flow capacity of meter	Larger Sizes		Prorated by continuous flow capacity of meter

$110 (5/8-inch) Water Meter Fee, and $500 Water Construction Fee ($400.00 of said fee shall be reimbursed on the following: that a passing meter inspection is made by city personnel prior to the installation of the lawn (sod or seed) and/or landscaping at the subject property. In the event that a passing meter inspection is not achieved prior to the installation of the lawn and landscaping, the $400 reimbursable fee shall be forfeited. A $50 charge will be deducted from the reimbursable fee and retained by the City for each and every water meter re-inspection needed).  Water and Sewer connection fees reduced by 50% in the City's Enterprise Zone.

Reimbursable Inspection Fees:  $100 water/sewer, $100 footing/foundation, $100 framing, and $100 final. All fees for which an inspection call has been made are reimbursed upon the final inspection of the project.  If more than one re-inspection of the initial noted corrections is required, the inspection fee for that phase will be forfeited. If final inspection is not made prior to occupancy, the entire $400 will be forfeited.

What Inspections to Expect

The property owner must notify the City for one (1) water/sewer/sump inspection. No excavations may be filled nor any connections made without a City inspection.

It is the owner's responsibility to notify the City during normal business hours, at least one (1) business day (twenty-four hours) in advance of the following three (3) phases of construction:

• Prior to pouring concrete or setting block for the foundation and prior to backfill.  Principal items to be inspected include the setbacks, footing and foundation widths and depths, reinforcing steel, and foundation drainage.
• Prior to covering over the framing and roughed-in electrical and plumbing.  Principal items to be inspected include the frame, floor joists, firestopping, roof trusses, and roughed-in electrical wiring, circuits and grounding.  Roughed-in plumbing will be viewed and if questioned the State Plumbing Inspector will be contacted.  This inspection is done prior to exterior siding installation.
• Upon completion of the building or structure and before the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.  Principal items to be inspected include a final check of the structure, interior and exterior walls, roof, operability of fixtures and equipment, and final electrical inspection of conductors, lighting and receptacles, circuits and water meter installation.

A license is required for electricians.  In order to obtain a certificate of registration to install electrical equipment an electrician can submit a current license issued by any of the following communities: Peoria, IL, Bloomington, IL, Springfield, IL, Decatur, IL, Pekin, IL, Ottawa, IL, Joliet, IL, or any other Illinois testing community upon verification by the city building official.  Upon receipt, the City will issue an electrical certificate of registration.

Inspections focus only upon the work which is the subject of the Building Permit.