Confirm who handles each approval
Official building guidance points to Building Permit Application (Department of Buildings online). City of West Chicago publishes the official zoning map GovCodex reads a property's district from.
Municipal permit guide
City of West Chicago, IL permit planning guide
Start with your property address to identify the offices, approvals, and project documents that apply in City of West Chicago, IL.
Local guidance available Reviewed October 8, 2026
Best first step
Find the approvals for your parcel, not just a generic form.
Start with the property address. GovCodex uses it to identify the parcel, zoning authority, overlays, and the mix of municipal, county, and state approvals that can apply.
Prefills City of West Chicago, IL Checks authority by address
What are you building?
Choose a common project or enter any description on the next screen.
Project preparation
Local application forms are available
Use the project type and property address together before choosing a form or paying a fee.
Before you file
Check the parcel details
Use the address check to confirm the current local offices, forms, and requirements before filing.
Project-specific preparation
What can trigger review and what to prepare
These project checks highlight situations that can add an approval. Your property address and project scope determine what applies.
Common approval triggers
Detached garage: permit required
Building Permit is required for a garage.
City of West Chicago, ILSource
Shed: permit required
Building Permit is required for a shed.
City of West Chicago, ILSource
Deck: permit required
Building Permit is required for a deck.
City of West Chicago, ILSource
Home addition: permit required
Building Permit is required for a addition.
City of West Chicago, ILSource
Fence: permit required
Fence Permit is required for a fence.
City of West Chicago, ILSource
Swimming pool: permit required
Building Permit is required for a pool.
City of West Chicago, ILSource
New home: permit required
Building Permit is required for a home.
City of West Chicago, ILSource
Preparation order
A practical order for project planning
Use this sequence to organize the work. The property address and project scope determine which steps actually apply.
Detached garage: permit required
Building Permit is required for a garage.
Shed: permit required
Building Permit is required for a shed.
Deck: permit required
Building Permit is required for a deck.
Home addition: permit required
Building Permit is required for a addition.
Fence: permit required
Fence Permit is required for a fence.
Swimming pool: permit required
Building Permit is required for a pool.
New home: permit required
Building Permit is required for a home.
Responsibility by office
Who may handle the approvals
Separate offices can review different parts of the same project. Confirm the parcel-specific split before filing.
City of West Chicago, IL
New home: permit required
Preparation library
Browse forms only when you need them
Search by project or approval. Official forms and adaptable state templates are labeled separately.
Showing forms that match your project search.
Express Permit — Detached Frame Garage
This jurisdiction publishes no downloadable application. Prepare your answers here, then upload the package through its portal.
Checked Oct 8, 2026Source
Express Permit Application (formerly Easy Permit)
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Standard Plan Review Building Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Self-Certified Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Electrical-Only Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Fence / Trash Enclosure Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Porch / Deck Repair Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Demolition (Wrecking) Permit Application (Form 480)
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Sign Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 1, 2026Source
Official references
Official sources for City of West Chicago, IL
Statewide sources describe the governing code regime. Locally verified sources identify the actual issuing office, form, or adopted schedule.
Official reference
Administrative Adjustment Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Building Permit Application (Department of Buildings online)
City of West Chicago, IL · checked October 8, 2026
Official reference
Demolition (Wrecking) Permit Application (Form 480)
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Electrical-Only Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Express Permit — Detached Frame Garage
City of West Chicago, IL · checked October 8, 2026
Official reference
Express Permit Application (formerly Easy Permit)
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Fence / Trash Enclosure Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Porch / Deck Repair Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Public Way Opening / Construction Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Public Way Use Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Residential Driveway Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Self-Certified Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Sign Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Standard Plan Review Building Permit Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Zoning Board of Appeals — Appeal Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Zoning Board of Appeals — Variation Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Official reference
Zoning Map Amendment (Rezoning) Application
City of West Chicago, IL · checked July 1, 2026
Reference excerpts
Source excerpts for City of West Chicago, IL
These excerpts provide context from official materials associated with this municipality.
City of West Chicago - Chapter 8 - ADMINISTRATIVE ADJUDICATION SYSTEM
(a)Pursuant to Division 2.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1 et seq., which authorizes municipalities to implement a system of administrative adjudication, there is created a system of administrative adjudication of charges of Code violations for the city of West Chicago. The system will authorize an administrative law judge to conduct adjudicatory hearings of cases instituted by city departments.(b)The city adopts Division 2.1 of the Illinois Municipal Code, 65 ILCS 5/1-2.1-1 et seq., as it may be amended from time to time. In the event of a conflict between said statutes and this article, this article shall prevail.(c)The adoption of this article does not preclude the city from using other lawful methods to enforce the provisions of this Code.(Ord. No. 18-O-0047, § 1, 9-4-2018)
Sec. 8-1. - Creation of administrative adjudication system · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of West Chicago - Chapter 13 - CEMETERIES
(a)It shall be the duty of the cemetery sexton, under the general direction of the director of public works, to supervise and direct all activities in the Glen Oak and Oakwood Cemeteries, including, but not limited to sales of gravesites, performing grave openings and closings, grounds maintenance, and preparation and maintenance of records and reports for submittal to the city.(b)The city shall enter into a contract for cemetery sexton services annually, at the beginning of each fiscal calendar year.(Ord. No. 06-O-0001, § 6, 2-6-2006)
Sec. 13-1. - Cemetery sexton · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of West Chicago - General
____________GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY____________Adopted, March 21, 1977Effective, May 1, 1977____________Published in 1977 by Order of the City Council____________CURRENT OFFICIALSOF THE CITYOF WEST CHICAGO____________Ruben Pineda (2023)Mayor____________James Beifuss (2023)Heather Brown (2023)Lori Chassee (2025)Christine A. Dettmann (2025)Sandy Dimas (2025)Melissa Ferguson (2023)Matthew E. Garling (2023)Alton Hallett (2023)John E. Jakabcsin (2025)Joseph Morano (2023)Jayme Sheahan (2023)Jeanne M. Short (2025)Rebecca Stout (2023)Christopher Swiatek (2025)Aldermen____________Bond, Dickson & ConwayCity Attorney____________Michael L. GuttmanCity AdministratorOFFICIALSOF THE CITYOF WEST CHICAGOAT THE TIME OF THIS CODIFICATION____________Richard J. Truitt Mayor____________James P. EngelRobert J. HallJohn J. KindermannCharles CowdenChristian D. PetersonArthur TheriaultColin E. PerryJean W. SullivanBernheardt C. PlautzEugene M. Wind Aldermen____________A. Eugene Rennels City Treasurer____________Arthur E. Giese City Clerk____________Harold J. Spelman City Attorney____________George R. Catalano City AdministratorPREFACEThis Code constitutes a complete codification of the ordinances of
Untitled · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of West Chicago - Chapter 10 - NUISANCES
It shall be unlawful to create, continue or suffer a nuisance to exist, and each day that a nuisance shall exist, after notice to abate the same, shall be considered a separate offense.For the purpose of this section, whatever is offensive physically to the senses and by such offensiveness makes life uncomfortable, is a nuisance; and any act or business which causes annoyance that materially interferes with the ordinary comforts of human existence or enjoyment of property is a nuisance.(Ord. No. 2638, § 1, 12-6-93)
Sec. 10-1. - Generally, prohibited · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of West Chicago - Chapter 1 - GENERAL PROVISIONS
The following chapters and sections shall constitute and be designated the "Code of Ordinances of the City of West Chicago, Illinois," and may be so cited.(Ord. No. 18-O-0017, § 1, 5-7-2018)
Sec. 1-1. - How Code is designated and cited · p. 1 · Open sourceCity of West Chicago - Chapter 7 - HOUSING
(a)Adopted. There is hereby adopted by reference as if fully set out herein that certain code known as the "2015 International Property Maintenance Code," as published by the International Code Council, together with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes hereinafter set forth, one (1) copy of which has been on file for a period of more than thirty (30) days prior to the adoption of this section and is now on file in the office of the city clerk.(b)Amendments. The following additions, insertions, deletions and changes are hereby made to the above-adopted code:[A] 101.1 Title. Insert "City of West Chicago" where indicated.[A] 102.3 Application of other codes. Delete this section in its entirety and substitute the following new section 102.3:"[A] 102.3 Application of other codes. Repairs, additions or alterations to a structure, or changes of occupancy, shall be done in accordance with the procedures and provisions adopted in Chapter 4, Article I of the code of ordinances of the City of West Chicago."[A] 103.5 Fees. Delete this section in its entirety and substitute the following new section 103.5:"[A] 103.5 Fees. The fees for activities and services performed by the depart
Sec. 7-16. - Property maintenance code · p. 1 · Open sourceQuestions people ask
West Chicago permit FAQ
Where do I start for a project in City of West Chicago, IL?
Start with the property address. The parcel determines whether municipal, county, state, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, transportation, or special-district approvals can apply.
Who handles building permits in West Chicago?
Building Permit Application (Department of Buildings online). Confirm the current filing process at the official source before submitting.
Who handles zoning approval in City of West Chicago, IL?
City of West Chicago administers zoning and publishes its official zoning map; GovCodex reads a property's zoning district from it for an address check.
Are the fees and forms on this page final?
No. Adopted fees, application versions, issuing offices, and required attachments can change. Verify the current official source before filing or paying a fee.
Do not guess from the municipality name.
Check which permits apply