When constructing, altering, or making structural repairs to a deck, balcony or porch on your premises, a permit is required, (Ordinance, Title 15, Chapter 153, 153.03.4). If you have hired a contractor(s) to perform the work, they must obtain a Contractor's Business License with the Village before issuance of the permit.

If you have any questions, please contact the Permitting Division of the Community Development Department at 847-923-4420.

Current Fee

• $60

Submittal Requirements

• Residential Building Permit 
• Plat of Survey (PDF) with structure drawn to scale
• Scaled and dimensioned drawings to include:
  1. Overall dimensions and height above grade
  2. Piers depth, diameter and layout
  3. Post size
  4. Size of beams and girders
  5. Size of joists
  6. Decking detail
  7. Guardrail, handrail detail
  8. Step detail
  9. Schedule of materials

Required Inspections

• Piers before pouring
• Rough deck framing before decking has been installed
• Final inspection

Inspections can be scheduled up to 4pm the business day prior to the requested inspection date by contacting the Permitting Division of the Community Development Department at 847-923-4420.

Code Requirements

• Setbacks - Decks shall not be constructed in side yard area.

• Piers and Frost Footings - Piers and/or footings are required of any deck attached to any building, porch or structure that has a permanent foundation. Footing depth is 42 inches measured from existing grade to the bottom of the footing or pier. Minimum pier is 8 inches diameter. All loose fill, water and material to be removed from the hole.

• Live Loads - Decks shall be constructed to meet the minimum live load of 40 PSF, balconies, 60 PSF, and guardrails 200 PSF.

• Guardrails - Decks, balconies and porches located more than 30 inches above grade or lower floor surface shall have a guardrail not less than 36 inches in height installed. Open side of stairs with a total rise more than 30 inches shall have a guardrail not less than 34 inches in height installed. Required guardrails shall be constructed of a design to prevent the passage of a 4 inch sphere. Required guardrails on open side stairs shall prevent the passage of a 4-3/8 inch sphere.

• Cantilevers-Overhanging Joists and Beams - Joists shall not overhang beams by more than two (2) feet. Beams shall not overhang posts by more than one (1) foot unless a special design is approved.

• Flashing - All connections between deck and dwelling shall be weather proof. Any cuts in exterior finish shall be flashed. Aluminum shall not be used as a flashing material when in contact with preservative treated lumber, concrete or any other corrosive materials.

• Beam and Girders - Beams and girders shall have a positive attachment to the posts to resist vertical uplifts as required.

• Anchorage of Deck - Where supported by attachment to an exterior wall, decks shall be positively anchored to the primary structure. Attachment shall not be accomplished by the use of toe nails or nails subject to withdrawal. The preferred method is through bolts or properly sized lag bolts into the band or rim joints. Exterior siding shall be removed. The deck shall not be attached to nonstructural masonry veneer. Where positive connection to the primary structure cannot verified during inspection, decks shall be self supporting.

• Framing Details - Header beam and joists that frame into ledgers or beams shall be supported by approved framing anchors such as joist hangers of a type compatible with the selected wood species or preservative treatment. All nails and screws shall be of a type shown to be compatible with the selected wood species or preservative treatment. Roofing nails are not acceptable fasteners. Many of the newest preservative treatments require stainless or hot dipped galvanized hangers.

• Wood Required - All exposed wood used in construction of decks is required to be approved wood of natural decay resistance or approved preservative treated material. Materials embedded in concrete or direct ground contact shall be pressure treated preservative suitable for direct ground contact.

• Stairs - Minimum width is 36 inches with a 7-3/4 inch maximum rise and a 10 inch minimum run nose to nose. Maximum variance is 3/8 inch over a run of stairs. Maximum slope is 1:48. Close risers required if deck height is over 30 inches. Piers required under stringers with three or more risers.

• Handrails - Handrails required on all stairs with four or more risers. Handrail height is 34 to 38 inches. Rail shall be continuous the full length of the stairs from a point directly above the top riser to a point above the lower riser. Grip size 1-1/4 inch minimum and 2-5/8 inch maximum.