Building and Permitting



callbeforeyoustart3aBuilding permits help to protect your neighborhood, your investment, and current and future owners and residents of your building by ensuring all work meets construction industry standards.
Permits can be mailed in, dropped off at our front desk, or emailed to permits@brookfieldil.gov. Permit pick-ups are in person at Village Hall. Permits will only be issued when all contractors are listed on the permit and licensed with the Village of Brookfield. Payment for permits must be done at Village Hall. 

When is a Permit Required?
The following is provided for informational purposes only and as a general guide to assist homeowners in determining whether a permit is required. For full permitting requirements, refer to the Building Code, Chapter 12 of the Brookfield Code of Ordinances.
 
No Permit Required:

  • Add or improve landscaping (not including hardscape or grading)
  • Install storm doors
  • Painting
  • Replace existing flooring
  • Sealcoat a driveway
  • Replace plumbing fixtures with existing shutoffs: faucets, toilets, shower heads
  • Replace electrical fixtures without any changes to wiring: lights, ceiling fans, switches, outlets
  • Replace existing appliances in the same location
  • Tile work

Permit Required:

Note: Per Village Ordinance, all work done without a permit will be assessed a triple permit fee.

  • Add a bay window
  • Add or remodel a bathroom, kitchen, basement, attic, or any existing room
  • Add, repair, or replace private service walks, patios, or driveways
  • Add, alter, enlarge, or repair a deck
  • Add, alter, or enlarge a garage or breezeway
  • Room additions or any addition to a structure
  • Any structural change to a building
  • Construct a new or replacement accessory building (e.g. shed, garage, gazebo)
  • Enclose, replace, or add a porch, deck, or stairway
  • Finish a room in an attic or basement
  • Install a fire alarm or fire sprinkler/suppression system
  • Install a lawn sprinkler system
  • Replace windows and entry doors 
  • Install or replace central air conditioning, furnace or alter duct system
  • Add an interior or exterior fireplace
  • Add or replace a stairway, handrail, or guardrail
  • Add a standby generator or solar panel system
  • Demolition of structure (Cook County permit also required)
  • Alter grade in any way, including front, back, or side yards
  • Install interior or exterior drain tile or foundation waterproofing
  • Any alterations to an interior electrical system, including upgrading or repair of electric service
  • Any alterations to an interior plumbing system
  • Enlarge an apron, add an apron, or carriage walk in the parkway
  • Add or replace a fence or section of a fence
  • Add or replace gutters or downspouts
  • Add or replace siding
  • Masonry or tuck-pointing
  • Repair or replace a roof
  • Sewer repair or replacement
  • Water service repair or replacement
  • Repair or upgrade electrical service
  • Install awnings
  • Install insulation
  • Install or replace hot water heater or boiler
  • Install any type of swimming pool, including temporary pools
Inspections require a minimum of 24-hour notice.  During the busy spring (late March, early April) and summer months, plan ahead and schedule your inspection 2-3 days in advance. The quickest way to reach us is by email: permits@brookfieldil.gov. 

Applications, Documents and FormsAll checklists, guidelines, and application forms can be found on the Forms webpage.  Building applications are reviewed in several steps.
BuildingPermitApproval_flow

Building Permit Construction ReviewThere are two types of review: (a) plan reviews to verify the soundness of construction plans/blueprints; and (b) field inspections. Here is the detailed flow of the Building Permit Review Process:
BuildingPermitReview_flow

Ancillary documents are often necessary and should be inquired about when planning begins:

  • Parkway Bonds
  • MWRD – Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Permits. Because MWRD is a separate unit of government, these permits are not controlled by the Village of Brookfield.
What Does MWRD do?

  • MWRD inspects plumbing lines that connect to the municipal sewer
  • Their jurisdiction starts from the point at which the sewer “exits” the building foundation
    • Anything inside the building foundation is inspected by the municipal inspector (plumbing)
    • Anything outside the building foundation is inspected by MWRD (sewer)
      • MWRD does not report to the Village of Brookfield
      • They have an independent inspection authority
    • Bottom line: your general contractor needs to let the Village know if an MWRD inspection might be triggered
About Contractor LicensesAll contractors and subcontractors doing work in the Village of Brookfield are required to obtain a Village of Brookfield Contractor License.  All contractors are required to provide a signed original of a License and Permit Bond in the sum of $10,000 and a Certificate of Insurance naming the Village of Brookfield as the Certificate Holder.  License fees are typically $150.  The following licenses are required:

  • Roofers – State of Illinois Roofing License
  • Plumbers – State of Illinois or City of Chicago Plumbing License
  • Electrical – Any license from a testing municipality approved by the Village of Brookfield.
The Village offers an option for online contractor licenses renewals. To view that option Click Here.  

 About Building CodesThe Village of Brookfield regulates construction through the following codes:

  •  2021 International Residential Code
  • 2021 International Building Code
  • 2021 International Mechanical Code
  • 2021 International Fire Code
  • State of Illinois Plumbing Code
  • 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
  • 2023 National Electrical Code
  • 2021 International Fuel Gas Code
  • 2021 International Energy Conservation Code
  • 2021 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
  • 2021 International Property Maintenance Code
  • 2021 International Existing Building Code