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Building & Life Safety Department
About the Building & Life Safety Department
The Building & Life Safety Department's goal is to ensure that structures built in Arlington Heights are safe, including businesses, homes, and other general structures such as a garage, fencing, or decks. This is pursued through maintaining of the Building Codes, careful review of construction documents in advance of permit issuance and thorough inspections at various stages of a project's progression. Building & Life Safety staff also conduct inspections prior to a business opening, and periodically thereafter, to ensure fire and life safety requirements are properly maintained. Staff also follows up on code concerns brought to our attention by residents and business operators alike.
Learn more about Home Repair Construction from the Illinois Attorney General's website.
Accreditation
In 2023, the Village of Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety Department became the first in Illinois to be accredited by the International Accreditation Service. The department was awarded the IAS Recognition for quality, permitting, plan review, inspection and property maintenance Code enforcement services.
Over the Counter Permits
The below over-the-counter permits can be applied for and issued at the Building & Life Safety Department counter at Village Hall, including:
Electronic Permit Submittal Requirements
The Village is requiring all initial submittals for building permits to be done electronically. Building Permit Applications are available in a fillable PDF format. All projects in Commercial buildings, Industrial buildings or multi-family buildings must include plans that are developed, signed and sealed by a licensed architect.
Permit Videos Provide a Step-By-Step Instructions
The below videos will guide you through the permit process regarding applying for a fence permit, or applying for concrete work permits for patios, driveways, walks and more. Watch these videos for information on what to submit with your application and what to expect once your permit application is submitted to the Building & Life Safety Department.
Related Topics
The Building & Life Safety Department's goal is to ensure that structures built in Arlington Heights are safe, including businesses, homes, and other general structures such as a garage, fencing, or decks. This is pursued through maintaining of the Building Codes, careful review of construction documents in advance of permit issuance and thorough inspections at various stages of a project's progression. Building & Life Safety staff also conduct inspections prior to a business opening, and periodically thereafter, to ensure fire and life safety requirements are properly maintained. Staff also follows up on code concerns brought to our attention by residents and business operators alike.
Learn more about Home Repair Construction from the Illinois Attorney General's website.
Accreditation
In 2023, the Village of Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety Department became the first in Illinois to be accredited by the International Accreditation Service. The department was awarded the IAS Recognition for quality, permitting, plan review, inspection and property maintenance Code enforcement services. Over the Counter Permits
The below over-the-counter permits can be applied for and issued at the Building & Life Safety Department counter at Village Hall, including:
- Air Conditioner Replacement - Rear Yard
- Boiler Replacement
- Burglar Alarm
- Electrical Service Upgrade - 100 AMP
- Electrical Service Upgrade - 200 AMP
- Furnace Replacement
- Sewer Repair/ Sewer Clean-out
- Water Heater Replacement
- Window Replacement - Residential
Electronic Permit Submittal Requirements
The Village is requiring all initial submittals for building permits to be done electronically. Building Permit Applications are available in a fillable PDF format. All projects in Commercial buildings, Industrial buildings or multi-family buildings must include plans that are developed, signed and sealed by a licensed architect.
Permit Videos Provide a Step-By-Step Instructions
The below videos will guide you through the permit process regarding applying for a fence permit, or applying for concrete work permits for patios, driveways, walks and more. Watch these videos for information on what to submit with your application and what to expect once your permit application is submitted to the Building & Life Safety Department.
Related Topics
Building & Life Safety
View our list of codes historically adopted by the Village of Arlington Heights to govern construction activities within the Village.
The Department of Building & Life Safety requires mandatory inspections while work is in progress to ensure that construction complies with approved plans and code regulations. Inspections must be scheduled with the Building & Life Safety Department at least 24 hours in advance. All inspection requests for the following business day must be called in before 4:00 pm.
See Inspections Page
See Inspections Page
The Village of Arlington Heights Building & Life Safety Department is open from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday - Friday, with the exception of the first Wednesday of each month, when the department opens at 9:30 a.m.
Building & Life Safety Opens at 9:30 a.m. the first Wednesday of Each Month
On the first Wednesday of each month, the front service counter is closed and phone calls will not be answered until 9:30 a.m. Please make note of these business hours in case you need to visit the department to speak with someone in person.
This time is used as special in-house work sessions and allows for staff meetings, cross training, and evaluation and implementation of best workplace practices.
Construction Hours in the Village of Arlington Heights
Hours approved for construction work are Mondays through Fridays from 7 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 6 PM. To report a concern about the construction activities that are taking place during the Department's business hours, call Building & Life Safety at 847.368.5560. To report a problem outside of the Department's normal business hours concerning issues such as noise due to construction activities late at night, please call 9-1-1 to report it.
Thank you for your understanding as the Building & Life Safety Department continues to work on improvements in their service to you.
Building & Life Safety Opens at 9:30 a.m. the first Wednesday of Each Month
On the first Wednesday of each month, the front service counter is closed and phone calls will not be answered until 9:30 a.m. Please make note of these business hours in case you need to visit the department to speak with someone in person.
This time is used as special in-house work sessions and allows for staff meetings, cross training, and evaluation and implementation of best workplace practices.
Construction Hours in the Village of Arlington Heights
Hours approved for construction work are Mondays through Fridays from 7 AM to 7 PM, and Saturdays and Sundays from 8 AM to 6 PM. To report a concern about the construction activities that are taking place during the Department's business hours, call Building & Life Safety at 847.368.5560. To report a problem outside of the Department's normal business hours concerning issues such as noise due to construction activities late at night, please call 9-1-1 to report it.
Thank you for your understanding as the Building & Life Safety Department continues to work on improvements in their service to you.