Planning & Community Development

• Review building permit applications for compliance to the Village’s zoning regulations and compliance to the Village’s standards for architecture and aesthetics. These projects include single family construction, accessory buildings & structures (sheds, detached garages, etc.), multi-family construction, community residences, commercial construction, landscaping, fences and sign permits.
• Coordinate economic development efforts by working with existing and new businesses to assist with permits, signage, financial assistance, site selection assistance, leasing and tenanting assistance.
• Administer the Community Development Block Grant program, ensuring that priorities of the Village’s Annual Action plan are met. The Action Plan is part of the Village’s Consolidation Plan that explains the community's needs and priorities as well as the programs and projects it intends to fund.
• Manage the Comprehensive Plan, which includes the future Land Use Map, Official Map, specific redevelopment plans, corridor studies and annexation studies.
• Oversees Village requirements for historic preservation of structures.
• Management of the Village’s Tax Increment Financing (TIF) districts. A TIF is a financial tool used to assist a municipality in spurring redevelopment of a specific area.
• Village census and demographic data.

As part of managing the Comprehensive Plan, the Planning & Community Development Department applies innovative planning techniques to support Village residents, developers and businesses in navigating the review process. The Department processes petitions for annexations, rezoning, site plan reviews, subdivisions, aesthetics, variations and conditional use permits.  They also administer grant programs, housing initiatives, community art programs and coordinate beautification projects for Village properties as well as create landscape designs of major corridors.

Arlington Heights offers a pro-business environment by providing a variety of resources through the Planning & Community Development Department aimed at attracting new businesses and keeping existing businesses strong. Resources include available property and business sites in the Village, economic incentives in the form of the Zero Interest Loan Program, the Small Business Sales Tax Rebate Program, the Cook County Class 6/7 Tax Abatement Programs, industrial revenue bonds, provision of market assistance, and guidance through the development process

If you are a developer, business owner, single-family homeowner planning to build, remodel, or add-on, please reach out to the Planning & Community Development Department for assistance with obtaining licenses, permits and zoning approvals.

Our Plan Commission Staff Reports and Comprehensive and Development Plans can be found on our Applications & Guides page, which is searchable. 
 
These reports & plans are separated into two categories: Comprehensive & Development Plans and Plan Commission Staff Reports. The following provides an idea of what is available, but is not a full list:

Comprehensive & Development Plans

• Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan 
• Comprehensive Plan
• Downtown Master Plan
• Hickory Kensington Area Plan

Plan Commission Staff Reports

• Police Station February 2017
• New Hope Academy March 2017
• Lexington Heritage Townhomes June 2017

Likewise, all permits, licenses, applications and guides that are needed for residential/private, business/commercial, and/or community events can be found on our Permits & Licenses and Applications & Guides page, which is also searchable.  Simply click on the Download Permits, Licenses & Guides button above.  These documents & forms are separated into four categories: Business Licenses, Community Events, Community Planning & Zoning, and Residential & Commercial.  The following provides an idea of what is available, but is not a full list:

Business Licenses

• Amusement 
• Day Care
• Home Occupancy
• Fireworks
• Multi-Family
• Raffles

Community Events

• Block Party Request

Community Planning & Zoning

• Zoning Regulations
• Design Reviews and Guides
• Development Reviews and Guides

Residential & Commercial

• Air Conditioners and Furnaces 
• Building Permit, Extension and Addendum 
• Contractor's License
• Decks and Fences
• Driveways and Garages
• Electrical
• Fire Safety Permit
• Foundation
• Gazebos and Sheds
• Guaranty Deposit Bond
• Liquor License
• Plumbing and Sewer and Water Heaters
• Occupancy
• Roofs
• Signs
• Single Family Additions and Basements
• Statement of Compliance
• Tax Assessor
• Window Replacement

The Planning & Community Development Department oversees the review process for Zoning Board of Appeals applications.  The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews all requests for variations from the Zoning Regulations for projects which are not already being reviewed by the Plan Commission. The Zoning Board of Appeals also reviews applications to appeal the interpretation of the Zoning Regulations by the Zoning Administrator.

Please view the Applications & Guides section found this page to review the application to the Zoning Board of Appeals and a guide on how to calculate front and exterior side yard setbacks in residential zoning districts. For more information, review the Village's Zoning Regulations, Chapter 28 of the Municipal Code or find out more about the Zoning Board of Appeals on the Boards & Commissions page.