Frequently Asked Questions

The Palatine Planning and Zoning Commission is a hearing and advisory body, comprised of Palatine residents, for land use proposals as well as special use and variation petitions. Under state law it acts as the public hearing body for the Village Council. Commissioners listen to the public, the petitioner (often a person wishing to develop property), and Village staff.

A Variation is a grant of relief by the Village Council, with recommendations given by the Village Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission, from specific limitations of the zoning ordinance. A variation is granted so a structure can be constructed or modified in a unique manner which does not meet some aspect of the Zoning regulations.

A Special Use is permission granted by the Village Council, with recommendations given by Village Staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission, for use of property in a way not ordinarily permitted in a given zoning district classification.

The projects that require a special use are typically unique requests which require further evaluation by the Village for any possible impact on the public health, welfare and safety.

Please refer to these specific sections of the Zoning Ordinance for residential uses in the Residential Districts that require a Special Use. 

R-1 Single-Family District: Section 10.02 (c) 

R-1A Single-Family District: Section 10.03 (c) 

R-1B Single-Family District: Section 10.04 (c) 

R-1C Single-Family District: Section 10.05 (c) 

R-2 Single-Family District: Section 10.06 (c) 

R-3 Multi-Family District: Section 10.07 (c)

Please refer to these specific sections of the Zoning Ordinance for commercial uses in the Business Districts that require a Special Use: B-1 Shopping Center District: Section 11.02 (d); B-2 General Business District: Section 11.03 (d); B-3 Central Business District: Section 11.04 (f); B-4 Office-Research District: Section 11.05 (d); B-5 Highway Business District: Section 11.06 (e); and Manufacturing District: Section 12.01(h).

Some fencing may require a Special Use. Please visit the Zoning Ordinance or contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 847-359-9047.

Typically most commercial properties are required to provide one space per 300 square feet (sf) of gross floor area. Parking requirements depends on the type of business. Detailed breakdowns of parking requirements are located in the Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.03 (b)(1).

Please review the Fee Schedule in the Code of Ordinanances for a list of applicable fees or contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 847-359-9047.

Please visit the Village's Building Department webpage.

Please contact the Planner assigned to your zoning request. If not known, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 847-359-9047 and you call will be forwarded to the correct planner.

The Planning and Zoning Commission generally meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. 

The Village Council generally meets the first three Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. 

Please check the Village Calendar for monthly dates of these public meetings.

There are several ways to find out about the outcome of any Planning and Zoning Commission meeting:

- Contact the Planning & Zoning Department at (847) 359-9047.

- The minutes of the meeting are typically posted on the Village’s website about one to two weeks after the meeting.

- Watch Channel 6 if you have cable service within the Village of Palatine.

If any of the requests do not conform to the Zoning Ordinance, a Special Use or Variation may be required.

There are various means in which you can file a complaint with the Village. If it is a zoning complaint, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department directly at 847-359-9047. If you are unsure of the correct department in which to file the complaint, please contact Community Services at 847-359-9042.

You can directly contact the planner who has been assigned to that zoning request or if you don’t know that assigned planner, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department at 847-359-9047 and your call will be directed accordingly.

1. The Chair calls the meeting to order and roll call is taken to ensure a quorum.

2. Minutes and Findings of Fact of the previous meeting are approved.

3. The Chair reads the legal notice authorizing a public hearing and numbers exhibits presented in advance as evidence by either the petitioner or others.

4. Chair calls on the staff, the petitioner, and members of the public (in that order) to present testimony. Anyone who wishes to ask a question or make a statement is sworn in as a witness. The petitioner is not required to, but may answer questions raised by the audience. The chair will not permit argument or unproductive exchange to develop between the audience, the petitioner, commission members, and / or staff.

5. The public hearing is closed, and the Board deliberates on the matter. If there is more than one public hearing scheduled, the Board may hold all hearings before deliberating. Although you will not be able to speak or give further input after the public hearing is closed, you are encouraged to remain and listen. The Board in its deliberations will consider only evidence which is relevant to this petition. Evidence which may be considered includes such things as case law, procedure, traffic generation, property values, etc.

The nine members have been appointed to serve without any compensation and volunteer their time to serve their community. The secretary is a Village employee, not a commission member.

Remember...the Planning and Zoning Commission is a recommending body. The Village Council makes final decisions.

The Planning and Zoning Commission's recommendations are sent to the Village Council along with staff recommendations. The Council meets as the Committee of the Whole for its discussion. They may allow limited testimony before making a recommendation. The Village Council votes the Committee’s recommendation at a Council meeting. As a member of the public, you can always telephone or write council members and the Mayor of the Village.

Most people know that new buildings, additions to existing structures, renovations, demolitions, and temporary buildings usually require building permits and inspections. Less obvious projects that may require a permit include installing a swimming pool, deck and/or fence. Also, some tasks that involve electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems and fireplaces require a building permit. If you have questions regarding your project, please reach out to the Building Department at 847 359 9042.

The plat of survey can be found with the mortgage papers that you received from your lender when you closed on your property. If you do not have your plat of survey with these papers, please call your lender to have them send you a copy. If there has ever been a permit on your property, you can try to filling a Freedom of Information request with the Village Clerks office to see if the Village can locate an old one. If you cannot find it in either of these locations, you can hire a land surveyor to create a new plat of survey.

The Village of Palatine Building Division exists to help make residential and business improvement projects safe and long-lasting. If you need more information about building permits, inspections, and fees, please call 847-359-9042 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday or contact us through the website.

The time to call the Building Division is before you start a project. Tell them what you plan to do and they will explain the requirements and assist you until the project has been safely and successfully completed. The Building Division staff is available to meet and discuss your project specifications. If you hire a professional contractor to do the work, select one who is familiar with local building codes. Then apply for a permit whether a professional or a do-it-yourselfer does the job.

The time to schedule a Pre-Submittal meeting is when you are ready to submit for a permit. The Permit Control Coordinator will review the required drawings/specifications and permit application to determine if they meet the requirements needed for permit submittal.

If the drawings/specifications and application meet the requirements, the application will be accepted for review. If the drawings/specifications and application are not complete, a list of required items for the permit submittal will be provided to you. A new appointment may be required based on the missing items. Please refer to the Residential Submittal Requirements or the Commercial/Multi-Family Submittal Requirements for detailed information about what is required to submit for a building permit.

When the work is completed and has been inspected, you will receive either a Certificate of Occupancy or a Certificate of Compliance. This certificate formally marks completion of the project with the knowledge that it has been approved.

A building permit is a license that grants legal permission to begin construction of a building project. Permits and inspections are necessary to verify that all Village of Palatine codes are met. If they aren't, the public's health, safety and welfare is at risk.

After contacting the Building Division, you will have to complete an application for a building permit. It will require basic information about the project, such as who will perform the work, what work will be done, and how it will be done. The application process also will require you to submit drawings, plans or other documents for review. If the construction plans do not meet the Village's Building Code and Zoning Ordinance, or other related ordinance requirements, a code official will explain what needs to be corrected. To receive a permit you will have to pay a fee. The permit fee helps defray the cost of the Village of Palatine staffs time spent on the application, and the review and inspection process.

All areas disturbed by the construction must be restored to their original condition by either the contractor or owner. This includes, but is not limited to streets, sidewalks, parkways, trees, bushes, and fences.

Residents who wish to be included in the 50/50 Sidewalk Replacement Program should fill out the application or call the Department of Public Works for an application. Annual funding for the program is limited and is on a first-come first-served basis. After the application is received, the sidewalk is inspected by Village staff to determine if it meets the criteria for participation. If funds are available and the sidewalk is eligible to be replaced, a bill will be sent to the homeowner.

Sidewalk that has severe surface deterioration, has significant settlement or heaving, has cracking exceeding 1/2 inches horizontally, or has vertical displacement of greater than 3/4 inches, qualifies for the program. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to replace additional sidewalk squares in order to correct the problem. These squares would also be eligible for funding.

At this time, the homeowner's cost (depending on the size of the sidewalk square) is approximately $95 per square of sidewalk to be replaced. Because the Village is able to package all of the sidewalk replacement together and obtain bids for the work, the cost is significantly lower than it would be for an individual homeowner.

Replacement of private driveways is wholly the responsibility of the property owner. The contractors who bid on the Village's 50/50 Sidewalk Program usually perform smaller private projects as well as municipal projects and their phone number is made available upon request of the residents. The cost for this work must be negotiated like any other private contractual work. In addition, as with any other private work, permits are required by the Village and obtained in the Community Development Department at the Village Hall.

The Village always recommends that a homeowner receive at least three estimates for work prior to signing any contract for construction projects. The Village will assume no responsibility for coordinating, inspecting, or warranting private work which is performed by the contractor other than that provided through the permit process.

Because of the liability associated with unsafe sidewalk conditions, the Village will grind or place an asphalt patch over any hazardous sidewalk condition of which they are made aware. The homeowner can then replace the sidewalk when financially able.

The Department of Public Works can answer any questions about the program. If you would like an application, you can download a printable form or call us at (847) 705-5200.

Engine brakes, also known as “Jake brakes” or “engine retarders” are an essential part of the braking system on heavy trucks. Most heavy trucks use an air-brake system for primary braking power, but with heavy loads it is safer to have the engine slow down to help the air-brakes. Local municipalities and counties are allowed by the Illinois Vehicle Code to enact ordinances regarding excessive noise from engine brakes. Many newer trucks are equipped with mufflers to reduce the sound emitted. The Village of Palatine does not have an ordinance specific to engine brake noise.

• Single Vehicle (straight truck): 15 tons (30,000 pounds) 
• Combinations (3 or 4 axle): 26 tons (52,000 pounds)
• Combinations (5 or more axles): 27 tons (54,000 pounds)

If you have attended a seminar in another town within the last year, you may be exempt from attending Palatine’s seminar with a few exceptions. There are several agencies that do not meet Palatine's requirements and won't be accepted at all.  You still must provide a copy of the lease addendum you will be using in Palatine and provide the Crime Free Coordinator with a signed letter from the police department in the town you attended the seminar. If you are attending a seminar in Palatine and own property in any town that participates in the program, please ask Palatine's coordinator to sign and give you a letter of exemption for your other properties. Please note - Not every town that does crime free is accepted in Palatine, please check with the coordinator to determine which towns are acceptable.

Seminar dates vary throughout the month. Generally a seminar is hosted once a month, usually on a Saturday. The dates are not provided on-line as each applicant only has a select number of seminars offered to them.

There are roughly 54 towns in the State of Illinois participating in the Crime Free Program and several have ordinances similar to Palatines. Some of the local towns include: - Addison - Carpentersville - Des Plaines - Elgin - Miles - Mount Prospect - Naperville - Niles - Oak Forest - Riverside - Rosemont - Schaumburg - Westmont and Round Lake Beach - Wheeling - Etc.

Images of your vehicle were captured and recorded by an Automated Red Light Photo Camera. Your images and an actual video of the occurrence are available online for your review at the Red Light Violations website. The images and video passed a two part review process by qualified technicians before being submitted to the Palatine Police Department for final review and approval. The alleged civil infraction notice was then mailed to you as the registered owner or identified driver. Confirmation of your name, address and vehicle registration information was provided to the Palatine Police Department by the Illinois Secretary of State’s Office. You have the option of contesting the Violation Notice either by Mail or by requesting an In-Person Hearing.

View a video of the citation at the

Arrive promptly at 595 N. Hicks Road.  Please take a seat in the lobby and wait for your hearing to be called.

When you list the property for rent you should apply. The initial licensing process can take up to 6 weeks to complete

Licenses are valid for one year from date of application. Each year your license will expire on the same day and month.

Rental inspections are conducted Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Our offices are closed on the weekend.

Only the owner or an agent designated on the rental dwelling license profile may meet with our Inspector at the inspection appointment. If you wish to designate an agent to represent you, you must complete and return the 'Contact Change Form' prior to the inspection appointment.

If you wish to designate an agent to represent you, you must add this agent to the rental dwelling license profile prior to registering for the seminar by completing and returning the 'Contact Change Form.'  Please note that your tenant cannot represent you for this requirement.

Rental licenses are e-mailed at the time of issuance to all e-mail addresses included on the rental license profile.  You can also obtain your rental license through your CSS (Citizen Self Service) portal.

According to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, single-use Alkaline batteries AAA, AA, C, D 6v & 9v are classified as "non-hazardous" and may be safely disposed with household trash. 

Lithium Primary and rechargeable Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMh), and Lithium-Ion batteries contain mercury and other heavy metals and according to the IEPA, should be recycled. 

Because single-use Alkaline and Lithium batteries look amazingly similar, the best way to know is to read the label.  Always place individual Lithium batteries in a plastic zip baggie, wrap it in plastic film or tape the terminal end with duct or electrical tape before recycling or disposing in the garbage to eliminate the risk of sparking a fire. 

Call2Recycle partners with retail stores such as Best Buy, Home Depot and Lowes that accept lithium primary and rechargeable batteries only – NO alkaline batteries!  Go to call2recycle.org/locator to find a location and for more information.

All large appliances are collected as white goods by Groot on Wednesdays and subject to a $20.00 charge payable directly to Groot.  Residents must contact Groot at least 24 hours in advance at (800) 244-1977 to schedule a collection and make payment. White goods include: - Air-conditioners - Boilers - Dishwashers - Dryers - Freezers - Furnaces - Humidifiers - Ranges/ovens - Refrigerators - Washers - Water heaters

For further information, please visit our

The Palatine Bicycle Transportation Plan consists of approximately 26 miles of bike routes. The Federal grant used on this phase covers approximately 12 miles of the plan. It is the full intent for the routes to eventually continue as planned.

Streets that will be getting new lane markings as part of this project include sections of Illinois Avenue, Sterling Avenue, Wood Street west of Cedar Street, Wilmette Avenue, Winston Drive, Anderson Drive, Carpenter Drive, Cunningham Drive, Old Hicks Road, Gardenia Lane, Baldwin Road, and Colfax Street.

The Village will monitor the routes and record feedback from residents of any problems encountered as a result of these new lane markings. We are open to making changes should any of the routes become problematic. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Public Works Department at 847-705-5200.

Please call our administrative offices during normal business hours (8am-4pm) at 847-202-6340. We can work with our billing company EMS|MC, to answer any questions you might have. 

If you received a letter in the mail asking for more information, you can reply on the EMS|MC Patient Portal- https://emsmc.com/patient-portal/

If you would like to obtain a copy of your personal ambulance report, you can stop by our administrative offices at 1475 N Hicks Rd during normal business hours (8am-4pm). You must bring a form of ID to verify identification. 

Fill out a Freedom of Information Request

The Palatine Fire Department offers monthly CPR classes. Click here for more information. 

Call the Fire Department at 847-202-6340 with the information you would like included (garage door code, lock box location) We will enter it into our secure system so there is no delay in gaining entry into your home. 

Passports will be processed by Appointment Only starting April 1, 2021 Monday - Thursday from 9 AM to Noon & 1 PM to 3 PM PLEASE CALL 847-359-9050

The Village of Palatine Fire Prevention Division enforces the following codes, this is not an exhaustive list and if you should have specific questions with regards to the code the Fire Prevention Division is more than happy to assist you by phone at 847-359-9029: 

• International Building Code - 2021 Edition (With Amendments)
• International Fire Code - 2021 Edition (With Amendments)
• Ch. 6 - Village of Palatine Code of Ordinances (Building Codes and Regulations)
• Ch. 7 - Village of Palatine Code of Ordinances (Fire Prevention and Protection)

Inspection, testing, and maintenance on your fire and life safety systems is critical to maintaining system operability and reliability. Records of system inspections, tests, and maintenance are required to be maintained on the premises and provided to the fire code official. All compliant and non-compliant fire and life safety system test reports are required to be sent to the Fire Prevention Division electronically by your service provider via The Compliance Engine's online system at www.thecomplianceengine.com. If you have questions regarding this requirement please contact the Fire Prevention Division at 847-359-9029. If you encounter technical issues with the The Compliance Engine contact Brycer support at 855-279-2371.

The Fire Prevention Division conducts periodic inspections in all buildings and business types (except single-family and two-family homes) within the Village of Palatine. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure a reasonable level of life safety and protection of property from the hazards of fire, explosion, or dangerous conditions in new and existing buildings, structures, and premises, and to provide safety to fire fighters and emergency responders during emergency operations. All violations must be corrected within thirty (30) days of the initial inspection. Those conditions determined to be imminent life safety hazards must be corrected immediately. Fees related to the Annual Fire and Life Safety Inspections shall be included in the Village’s Fee Schedule. Fees are only assessed when it is necessary for an inspector to conduct a 3rd or 4th re-inspection. If violations remain outstanding beyond the 4th inspection, the matter will then enter the citation process.

Information from www.swancc.org/smoke-detectors: 

Ionization smoke detectors contain small amounts of radioactive materials. Never disassemble a smoke detector. Intact detectors pose little threat, but can be a health hazard if broken open. By federal regulation, all smoke detectors contain the mail-back address to send used units with radioactive chips. The address of the supplier may be listed in the product warranty or user's manual. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission suggests checking the label on the detector for disposal options, but residents may safely discard individual units in their regular garbage.

How to dispose my old smoke alarms.

For First Alert or BRK: call First Alert at 800-323-9005.

For Other Brands: Curie Environmental in New Mexico will take any smoke detector back for a fee. For specific instructions on how to send the detector, see curieservices.com.

Lighting Resources, LLC
(866) 375-7340
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Recycling kits are available for smoke detectors, batteries, electronic waste and mercury devices.

Inspections

Bring residentially-generated light bulbs that contain mercury, such as compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs that come in many shapes and sizes. Bring up to 4' in length fluorescent light tubes that are sealed in a plastic bag. Do not bring any incandescent bulbs, as they contain no mercury and can be disposed of in the garbage. Broken light bulbs will not be accepted. For additional program information go to the Fluorescent Bulb Recycling page of the SWANCC website. A limit of 12 lights will be accepted from a resident per visit.

When resurfacing a street, the top 2 to 3 inches of asphalt is removed and replaced. The base of the existing street will remain in place. Resurfacing extends life of the street in an economical manner.

First, storm sewers in the curb line will be repaired or replaced as needed. Next, concrete curb and sidewalk will be removed and replaced in certain locations. The roadway will be ground down 2 to 3 inches, followed by the new asphalt surface being placed in 2 layers. Finally, the disturbed landscape will be restored and pavement markings will be installed.

Work is anticipated to begin in mid to late March and be completed by the end of June. The contractor generally starts from the north end of town and works towards the south side. Each street will have a different start date. The early signs that work will begin on your street soon is when the “Road Construction Ahead” signs have been posted.

At no time will the streets be closed to traffic, but you may experience delays in driving due to construction activities.

Yes, the road will be open to traffic. Mail, garbage, school and emergency service vehicles will not be affected by the work, though at times there may be slight delays due to the construction activities.

The main reasons curb is replaced are 1) the curb has sunken resulting in excessive ponding or heaved to the point where the flow of water is obstructed; or 2) the curb has deteriorated to the point it is no longer structurally sound. As this is not a complete street reconstruction, most of the curb will remain in place. Small cracks in the curb do not warrant replacement if it is still structurally sound and provides adequate drainage.

Sidewalk is replaced at crosswalks to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards.

The apron is the part of a driveway between the sidewalk and the curb. If no public sidewalk is present at your house, the apron is generally considered the first 10 feet of your driveway from the back of the curb.

The entire apron will not be removed and replaced. Only the bottom few feet needed to accommodate the curb replacement will be included. The portion of apron that is removed will be repaired with the same material as the existing apron (asphalt with asphalt and concrete with concrete). There is no cost to the homeowner.

The 50/50 Curb and/or Apron Replacement Program is available to residents that wish to replace their entire driveway apron or to replace the curb at the end of their driveway to remove the “bump”. To depress the curb, most of the time the apron must also be replaced to match the grade between the existing driveway and the street. The Village pays for 50% of the cost for this work and the resident pays 50%. Applications will be mailed to residents eligible for this program. Aprons will be replaced with the same material as the existing apron (asphalt with asphalt and concrete with concrete).

If the curb adjacent to your driveway or your concrete apron are being replaced, you will not have access for several days. Residents losing driveway access will receive a hand delivered notice one to three days prior to the curb removal. Typically you can drive over the new concrete 72 hours after it has been placed. The contractor will remove the barricades, or “horses”, when it is safe to drive on the concrete.

During weekdays, all vehicles must be moved to side streets by 7:00 a.m. to accommodate the construction equipment. Work will typically end around 5 p.m. and then you may park on the street in front of your home. The Police Department has been notified of the affected streets and will permit overnight street parking if you do not have access to your driveway. You do not need to submit overnight parking requests during this time.

Yes, you can drive on the tack coat, or “oil”, but drive slowly to minimize spray. If you have a brick or concrete driveway, avoid driving into your driveway while fresh tack coat is on the pavement. The tack coat typically dries after one to two hours.

While it is advisable to wait a few hours, asphalt pavement can be driven on immediately after the rollers have completed their work.

Turf restoration is done after the concrete work is completed and is weather dependent. It could be immediately after the curb placement or at any time until the end of the project. The landscape contractor will backfill the holes and apply grass seed and topsoil behind the curbs and other areas where concrete work was performed.

The contractor is required to complete the work by June 30 as specified in the contract. As with all construction, weather plays a role and one day of rain could mean additional days of delay. The construction will be ongoing until the project is completed. However, from time to time, you will notice that there is no activity on your street. With 40 to 50 street sections being resurfaced each year, the contractor will have work in progress on multiple streets. Engineering staff monitors the construction activities on a daily basis and works with the contractor to complete the project on time and within budget.

To minimize the potential for damage, mark out with paint, stakes, or flags any irrigation systems, electric dog fences, or sump pump outlets within the parkway area and notify the Public Works Department. Your assistance in locating these underground systems will help us to avoid damaging them. Any damage to these systems within the right-of-way will be the responsibility of the owner to repair, regardless of prior notice. Any portions of brick or decorative aprons and sidewalks within the right-of-way that need to be removed due to the construction will not be re-installed by the Village. It is the homeowner’s responsibility to re-install these items.

Updates on the next day’s anticipated construction activities will be posted daily on our website and on our X account (formerly Twitter) at @PalatineIL. Overall project progress will be posted weekly in the “Resurfacing Status Report” in the sidebar on our website.

Please contact the Public Works Department at (847) 705-5200. The Project Engineer is Cody Ringham.

16.4 trillion grains of sand!

Wood, steel, concrete, etc..

Lowes, Menards, Home Depot, Ace Hardware.

Play sand.

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The police department is open 24/7.