Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ'S)
Q: Can I do my own electrical work at my house?
A: Yes you may do your own electrical work at your house, except working on the Service Panel. For that work you need a licensed electrician.
Q: Can I re-roof my own house or do I have to hire a contractor?
A: If you own the house , you may do your own re-roofing. Keep in mind, no more than two layers of shingles before removal is required.
Q: I want to upgrade my electrical service from 60 amps to 100 amps.
Can I do that work myself?
A: No, you may not do work yourself on the electrical service panel. A licensed electrician is required for that type of work.
Q: How do I obtain a plat of survey for my property?
A: There are several ways to get a plat of survey.
1) When you bought the property it had to be surveyed and at closing time
a Copy had to be given to you.
2) You can hire a surveyor to survey your property.
3) Homes that were built within the last ten years, it is likely the City has
a copy in the street file.
Q: What Building Codes has the City adopted?
A: The City of Zion has adopted the following codes:
- The 2000 International Building Code
- The 2000 International Residential Code.
- The 1996 National Electrical Code, amended by City Ordinance 97-0-11.
- The 1993 Illinois Plumbing Code , along with the 1998 amendments.
- The 2000 International Mechanical Code.
- The 2000 Intern ational Property Maintenance Code.
Q: Is there a waiver of permit fee for senior citizens?
A: Permit fees of $ 50.00 or less shall be waived for senior citizens, who are 65 years of age or older, when they are applying for permits to repair or alter their principle, owner occupied, dwelling. Permit application must be filled out completely and shall be signed by the senior citizen who is qualifying for the
waiver.
Q: What is the permit fee structure? What will it cost me?
A: The permit fee schedule is published in the Municipal Ordinance book under section 10-9 and it is too numerous and involved to publish here. However for repair work it is generally 1% of the construction cost with a minimum of $ 30.00. Detailed breakdown for other work can be obtained by calling (847) 746-4018 . Fence permit fee is $ 15.00.
Q: As a contractor, what Insurance coverage am I required to have?
A: Project Cost 0-$ 40.000 ; Project cost $ 40,000 & over
- Comprehensive General Liability: $500,000 BI & PD ; $1,000,000 BI & PD
- Bodily Injury: $500,000 BI & PD ; $1,000,000 BI & PD
- Umbrella Liability: $1,000,000 BI & PD
- Workmen's Comp.: $500,000 ; $500,000
- Employer's Liability: $500,000 ; $500,000
Q: What is the minimum size of a habitable room?
A: Habitable rooms shall have an area of not less than 100 square feet.
Q: Can I put plastic reinforcing into the concrete slab?
A: Yes, but understand all concrete slabs shall have six inches by six inches wire mesh for reinforcing with four inches of concrete and four inches of compacted gravel or sand.
Exception: Basement floors are not required to have wire mesh.
Q: What is the minimum foundation area of a single or two family dwelling?
A: Each single-family unit and each two-family dwelling unit shall have a minimum foundation area of 900 square feet.
Q: I have a deck attached to my house, I would like to put a roof over it.
Can I do that?
A: Whenever a permanent roof is constructed over a deck or structure, where such roof structure is attached to any other structure having a full foundation, the structure upon which the roof is being constructed shall be supported by a foundation or trenchfooting wall to below the frost level, which is 42 inches below grade.
Q: My house was posted "occupancy prohibited", can I just repair it
and move back in?
A: Whenever a building or structure has been posted, it must be repaired and brought into compliance with all applicable codes prior to further occupancy.
Q: I received a compliance ticket for not having the house number displayed on my house. Don't they have better things to do than harass me with trivial stuff like that?
A: It shall be the duty of the owner or occupant of every house or residence in the city to have placed thereon, in a place visible from the street and on the mailbox in color contrast to background, figures showing the number of the house, which figures must be a minimum of three inches in height. Numbers must be fastened with screws or nails; self adhesive numbers are not permitted. This will insure that an emergency vehicle will be able to find your house, should it become necessary.
Q: Can I use Romex wiring in my house?
A: No, only Thin Wall or rigit conduit shall be installed where such work is open
and accessible. Flexible metal conduit is limited to 18 inches exposed.
Q: Do I have to have a sump pump in my house?
A: In new construction, a minimum of one sump pump, crock and cover, shall be installed in any basement or crawl space.
Q: Do I need a permit to install a small kiddie pool in my backyard?
A: No permit is required for installation of a portable pool if the capacity of such
pool is 1,000 gallons or less.
Q: Do I need a fence around my pool?
A: A fence or wall shall be installed and maintained to completely surround a pool, except in the case of a portable, above ground installation. The fence or wall shall be an effective barrier to small children and shall be at least 48 inches high. Gates shall be equipped with self-closing and self latching devices placed at the top of the gate.
Q: I received a compliance ticket for parking on the front lawn.
Why can't I do this? It's my property?
A: In any residential district, offstreet parking, whether temporary or permanent, shall not be permitted or located in any required front yard or any lawn area, including any yard area not improved for offstreet parking.
Q: I want to attach a small shed to the backside of my house, can I do that?
A: Attached structures shall meet the requirements of the building and fire codes. Detached accessory buildings shall be separated from any principal building by
at least six feet.
Q: I want to have a garage sale this summer. Do I need a permit?
A: You do not need a permit, but you will have to call the Building Department
(847-746-401 8 ) prior to the sale and register. Only two such sales shall be allowed within one twelve-months period.
Q: I have insufficient heat in my apartment, what can I do?
A: First call your landlord and find out why the heat is insufficient. Maybe he is working on the furnace. If you cannot get satisfaction from your landlord, call
the Building Department at (847) 746-401 8 and we will compel the landlord to furnish you with a minimum temperature of 65 degrees fahrenheit, averaged throughout the room or apartment from September 1 through June 1.
Q: My new home is finished, except for grading and seeding and hardsurface
of driveway. Can I get a temporary occupany permit and move in?
A: A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued by the building inspector for the use of the building prior to its completion. No temporary certificate of occupancy shall be issued until the building department receives a cash bond in the amount of $5,000.00, of which ten percent shall be nonrefundable.
The final deadline for completion of grading and seeding or sod shall be no later than May 15.
Q: I would like to obtain a license to do electrical work.
What do I have to do to get a license?
A: The city offers a test for electrical license to be taken at city hall four times a year. For exact dates call (847) 746-4096. A pre-requisite for this test is proof
of journeyman experience for at least six years. A registration for the test is required, there is no fee for the test, but the license for one year is $50.00.
The applicant needs to be familiar with the 1996 NEC and the Zion Municipal Electrical Code.
Q: We have a major construction job coming up and would like to bring a construction trailer onto the site. What's required to obtain permission?
A: Any person may obtain a temporary special use permit or variance from the building inspector. Such application shall be made at least ten days prior to bringing such vehicle to the construction location within the city. A fee of $10.00 shall be charged for such a permit if application is made prior to bringing a construction trailer to the construction location. If such application is made after bringing the construction trailer to the construction site, a $500.00 penalty
shall be added to the fee.
Q: Who has the responsibility to furnish containers for the disposal of garbage?
A: Every owner of a residence, apartment building, business or industrial establishment within the city is required to provide garbage cans and trash containers for each family unit maintaining a kitchen or business of sufficient capacity to hold seven days accumulation of garbage and trash.
Q: Where can I obtain a container to hold seven days garbage?
A: The city has a 90 gallon capacity container available for its residents for the price of $50.00. If you pay the $50.00 at the city hall, Onyx will deliver it to you.
Q: Can I burn leaves and left over construction material in my back yard?
A: It shall be unlawful for any person to burn any wood, grass, leaves, including yard waste, rubbish or other combustible materials in the city at any time.
Q: Can I push snow out of my driveway into the street and let the city snowplow take care of it?
A: It shall be unlawful for any driver of a snowplow to deposit or cause to be deposited any snow on any street, alley or public way.
