Dumpsters or containers (like storage PODs) require a permit.  There are also special regulations if the dumpster or container will be obstructing the public way.  Please review the Dumpster/Container Ordinance under Documents and Forms.  There you can also find the Fee Schedule, Dumpster/Container Permit Application, and a list of the Dumpster/Container companies that are currently registered with the Village.  Any company delivering a dumpster or container to a property in the Village of Brookfield must be registered and licensed with the Village of Brookfield.  If you are ordering a dumpster or container from a company that is not on the updated list, have them contact the Building and Planning Department at (708) 485-7344 option 3.

In order to receive a permit, you must submit a complete Building Permit Application at Village Hall.  You will be asked to provide detailed construction information, including drawings, details, and/or a plat of survey.  All contractors and subcontractors doing work in Brookfield must be licensed and registered with the Village.  Please visit the Building and Planning Forms section for Permit and Contractor License Forms.

Permits are not issued the same day they are received.  Permits are reviewed in the order in which they are received.  Most permits are reviewed within 3 to 7 business days of submittal.  Large projects may take additional time.

Permits are required for most property improvement projects.  Permits are generally required for any work that is regulated by the building, electrical, plumbing, fire, or zoning codes.  Work requiring permits include, but not limited to: remodels, additions, siding, gutters and downspouts, garages, masonry repairs, roofing work, tuckpointing, porches, decks, patios, sidewalks, driveways, aprons, windows, stairs, railings, parking pads, drywall replacement, HVAC work, electrical work, plumbing work, and fences.  Painting and wall covering, flooring, trim work, and minor repairs under $500 do not require building permits.  For detailed information on submittal requirements for permits and related fees, please visit the Documents and Forms section.

A permit is legal authority to begin a project and provides the benefit of inspections, which help ensure a project meets accepted minimum standards for safety and durability. Inspections are performed at various stages of a project to ensure compliance with construction codes. Compliance with local codes reduces risks to a level considered acceptable by construction trade organizations, product manufacturers, and insurance companies.

The Village regularly conducts property maintenance inspections to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the community.  You may receive a “hang tag” from one of our inspectors informing you of a property maintenance violation.  If you receive a “hang tag,” make arrangements to correct the code violation within the given time frame.  Contact the inspector for more information or if you have questions.

If you do not correct your property maintenance violation and contact the inspector with your questions, you will receive a ticket to report to the Village’s Administrative Adjudication Hearing. An administrative hearing is a civil, not criminal, proceeding. Cases filed in adjudication are punishable by fines and can only be appealed in the 4th District Circuit Court of Cook County. You may pay your fines online or in person at Village Hall.

Unfortunately, the Village does not keep copies of plats of surveys for properties in Brookfield. Check your records from when you purchased the house, or contact a land surveyor to have a new one drawn.

The Village of Brookfield Zoning Ordinance establishes land use classifications and regulates land use, intensity, and bulk in order to protect the health, safety, and general welfare of the community, and to protect neighborhood character and sustainability.

The Village’s Zoning Ordinance is available online and may be found in Chapter 62 of the Village Code. To check what zoning district a property is in, visit the Community Portal.