Guide For New
Businesses
Village Requirements
Building Permit Requirements
Permanent Signs
Temporary Signs
Contractors
Inspections
General Information
When opening a business, what is the first thing to consider?
Location is important to consider when opening a business. The
zoning of the property must be checked to ensure that the proposed use
meets Village zoning requirements.
How does a business owner check zoning?
To check zoning, visit or call the Community Development Department
at (630) 372-4260 with the address of the property. Bring a floor
plan showing any proposed remodeling, as well as the proposed locations
of all fixtures including: racks, shelves, cash registers, doors, and
windows. The plan must be dimensioned and drawn to scale.
What does a business owner need to do before opening?
A business must obtain a Business License and Certificate of
Occupancy from the Village of Hanover Park.
What is a certificate of occupancy?
A Certificate of Occupancy is an approval that the business space has
passed its final inspection and is ready to occupy. This
certificate is required before the building can be occupied and is not
transferable to another location.
What is a business license?
A Business License, which authorizes the operation of a commercial
establishment, must be approved prior to occupancy of the building or
unit. See the "Business and Liquor License Checklist" brochure for
more details. The brochure and additional information are
available in the Village Clerk’s office.
What if the business space requires remodeling or construction?
The Village must ensure that all codes and requirements are met in
order to provide a safe and secure building. Some items reviewed
include:
- Signs
- Sprinkler and Alarm Systems
- Handicapped Accessibility
- Electrical Service
- Safe Means of Exiting
- Areas of Disrepair
- Adequate Water and Sewer Connections
NOTE: Please remember to obtain a building permit before
starting any work.
What is required for remodeling?
A permit is required for all changes. In order for most
remodeling plans to be approved, they must be stamped by a licensed
Illinois architect. All contractors performing work under an
approved permit must be registered and bonded.
How much review time does the Village need?
Plans are normally reviewed in 10 to 15 working days. However,
this time varies depending on the time of year. Spring and summer
are particularly heavy permit application times and reviews may take
longer.
When are sprinkler and alarm systems required?
Most locations require sprinkler and alarm systems. Fire alarms are
required for all use groups except residential. Fire sprinklers are
required for those buildings larger than 2,500 square feet except for
residential.
Regulations for signs in the Village of Hanover Park are located in
the Municipal Code, Chapter 3. Signs are also subject to the
provisions in the 2005 National Electric Code. Applicants are
strongly encouraged to review the sign code prior to submitting an
application for a development permit.
What are the requirements necessary for permit application?
A completed application form must be submitted with the following:
- Plat of Survey - drawn to scale
- Blueprint or Scale Drawing of the sign
- Owner approval of the sign
Does the sign contractor have to be registered and bonded?
All sign contractors must be registered in the Village of Hanover
Park prior to the issuance of a development permit. Contractor
registration is handled by the Village Clerk’s office at (630) 372–4224.
Are there any special requirements for a free-standing sign?
You must obtain a dig number prior to permit application. Call
JULIE at 1-800-892-0123 for this information.
Who is authorized to apply for the sign permit?
Sign contractors or tenants may submit applications for signs;
however, the contractor or tenant must submit written proof that the
property owner concurs with the proposed placement, design, and style of
the sign.
NOTE: Locations within some business parks and shopping centers
in the Village are subject to Owner’s conditions in addition to those
specified in the Village Sign Code. For additional information,
please contact the Community Development Department.
Are inspections required for sign permits?
All permanent sign permits are subject to two or three inspections:
a. prior to installation, the sign must be inspected to verify
listing with an approved testing laboratory;
b. prior to pouring concrete, the foundations must be inspected;
and
c. final inspection when installation is completed.
NOTE: A minimum of 24-hours notice is required for all
inspections. To schedule an inspection or if you have any
questions, please call the Community Development Department at ((630)
372-4260.
Why is a permit required for a temporary sign?
Permits are required in order to preserve the integrity and
appearance of the Village. By following the requirements outlined
in the Sign Code (Section 3-5, Temporary Signs), the Village regulates
the type, size, duration, and location of the sign.
Do all temporary signs require a permit?
Permits are required for special promotion and grand opening signs.
Examples of these types of signs are banners, portable wheeled signs,
and other temporary signs.
Temporary tents also require a permit. Please contact the
Community Development Department at (630) 372-4260 for applicable
regulations.
Permits are NOT required for residential garage sale signs or
residential real estate signs; however, regulations do apply.
Is there a charge for a temporary sign permit?
Yes, the permit fee is $35.00. Applicants must also post a
$100.00 bond which is refundable if the sign is removed on or before the
expiration date of the permit.
Are inspections required when a permit is initiated?
Inspections will automatically be scheduled by the Community
Development staff for the temporary sign take-down date stated on the
permit.
Does the sign company have to be registered and bonded with the
Village?
Contractors from which temporary signs are rented do not have to be
registered and bonded.
NOTE: Please contact the Community Development Department at
(630) 372-4260 for the regulations that are applicable to your temporary
sign situation.
When do you need to hire a contractor?
The applicant can perform some of the construction work.
However, all plumbing and electrical work must be completed by a
contractor registered and bonded with the Village of Hanover Park.
All contractors and subcontractors hired to work on the project must be
registered and bonded. Contact the Village Clerk’s Office at (630)
372–4224 for registration information.
What should a business owner do before signing a lease or purchasing
property?
If requested, the Village staff will conduct a pre-inspection of the
business location at no charge. Staff will tell you what changes,
if any, are required to bring the space into compliance with Village
Codes.
When is an inspection needed?
As work progresses, it must be inspected by Village staff to ensure
that it complies with the approved permit plans and all code
regulations. Required inspections for your project will be listed
on the permit. To schedule an inspection, call the Community
Development Department at (630) 372-4260 at least 24 hours before the
time you want your inspection. Please have your permit number
handy, since it is necessary to request an inspection.
Prior to calling for an inspection, please make sure the work, for
which you are requesting an inspection, has been completed. A fee
of $35.00 is charged for each failed inspection. This includes
those projects which are not ready when the inspector arrives. If
you are encountering problems, need advice or specific information, or
are unsure as to how to proceed, please contact the Community
Development Department. All of the Village inspectors are trained,
certified professionals in their field. While they cannot design
your project, they are more than willing to assist you in completing the
job as quickly and easily as possible. If it is necessary to have
an inspector stop by your project for assistance, please let Village
staff know when you call. There is no charge for this type of
interim inspection assistance.
For your own protection, you may wish to have the final inspection
completed and approved by the Community Development Department prior to
making the final payment to your contractors. Refundable bonds
will not be returned until all final inspections have been approved.
How can a business owner determine if the sprinkler and alarm
systems in place are adequate?
A site inspection can be arranged with the Village’s consultants for
a rate of $100.00 per hour. Call the Community Development
Department at (630) 372-4260 to schedule an appointment.
What happens if sprinkler and alarm systems are needed?
The Village needs to review a reflective ceiling plan, prepared by a
sprinkler contractor, showing the sprinkler system and lighting
locations. This requires a plan review. Plans are reviewed
by Village staff and forwarded to the Village’s consultant for
evaluation. The applicant is responsible for plan review and
inspection fees.
Can the sprinkler/alarm plan be part of the remodeling permits?
A separate permit is required. The fee varies based on the size
and type of installation. Fees are calculated and due when the
permit is picked up.
How long is the building permit valid?
Work authorized by a permit must begin within six months of the date
of the permit and be completed within one year of permit issuance.
Work extending beyond these time frames requires the issuance of a new
permit.
What is the purpose of the refundable bond?
The bond provides an incentive to complete the work in the manner it
was approved and to have the work inspected as required. A $35.00
fee will be deducted from the bond for each failed inspection.
When can I expect the bond to be refunded?
The Department will begin processing the refund as soon as the final
inspection is approved. Generally, it takes three to five weeks
for the refund to reach you.
Who is JULIE?
JULIE stands for "Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators".
Upon receiving your call, JULIE will visit your property and mark the
location of non-Village underground utilities. Call JULIE toll
free at 1-800-892-0123.
Does the Village locate its underground utilities?
The Village Engineering, (630) 372-4270, and Public Works, (630)
372-4440, Departments will locate underground Village utilities
including sewer and water mains and electrical cables for street lights.
What is a "stop work" order?
A "Stop Work" order is issued for jobs that are not being completed
in accordance with the approved plans or for jobs that were started
without a permit.
What if I want to make changes to my plans as work on the project
progresses?
Be sure to obtain permission from the Community Development
Department prior to making any changes to the approved permit plans.
What do I do with the permit placard I was given?
The permit placard should be displayed in a window of your business
so it is visible from the street.
What inspections are required?
Required inspections are listed on the permit.
What is the difference between the plan review fee and the permit
fee?
The plan review fee covers the cost of reviewing the plan for
compliance with Village codes. The permit fee covers the cost of
inspecting the improvement.
Village of Hanover Park
2121 West Lake Street
Hanover Park, IL 60133
(630) 372-4200
Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Thursday, 8:00 am - 7:30 pm
All information © 2008 Village of Hanover Park, Illinois
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