Highland Park · 2026

Building permits for remodeling in Highland Park, IL

Per the Building Division FAQs, "Permits are required for most construction projects"; exemptions are found in the City's adopted building code amendments (not enumerated on the website). The Permit Administration page lists dedicated permit categories including "Single Family Interior Alterations/Remodel," "Residential Addition," "Multi-Family (Condo) Interior Alteration," and separate plumbing requirements — so kitchen, bath, basement, and addition remodels are permitted project types.

When you need a permit

How to apply

All permit applications and supporting materials are submitted online via the City's "Civic Access Portal" (selfservice.cityhpil.com, an EnerGov self-service system; users must re-register after system upgrades). All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted at the same time — incomplete submissions are not accepted. Every permit requires a signed Property Owner Authorization Form. Project-specific document lists (e.g., Single Family Interior Alterations/Remodel, Residential Addition) are on the Submittal Requirements page. After plan review approval the City emails an invoice; once fees are paid the applicant receives the permit placard and approved drawings. Building Division: 1150 Half Day Rd, 2nd Floor, 847.432.0808, [email protected].

Review times

Published on the Building Division FAQs: plan review "typically lasts 5 to 15 business days (depending on the type of project and information provided)" once all required documents have been received.

Inspections

Inspections are requested through the Civic Access Portal ('Request Inspection' on the permit), by email to [email protected] (include address, permit number, inspection type, contact, and AM 8am-12pm or PM 12pm-3pm preference), or by phone 847.432.0808. Requests received by 2:30pm can often be scheduled next business day. The site references a "Required Inspections Matrix" document (examples cited: electrical, framing, plumbing) but does not list the full residential sequence on the page. Rules published: a printed copy of approved plans must be on the job at all inspections; the contractor shall be available for inspection; the plumber must attend plumbing inspections; as of December 1, 2025 plumbing inspections are only available Tuesday-Thursday; remote photo submissions accepted only if approved by the inspector. Re-inspection fees: not published.

Fees

Not published as specific amounts. The Permits & Licenses Fee Schedule page lists "Building Permit — Varies," and the Permit Administration page states permit fees are calculated according to the City's Annual Fee Resolution upon completion of review. The current fee amounts live in the "2026 Annual Fee Resolution" PDF on the Finance page; no residential remodel/addition dollar figures are published on the web pages themselves.

Contractor registration

Yes — per the City Licenses & Permits page, "General contractors doing construction in Highland Park are required to have a license" (obtained through the Building Division, 847.432.0808). The Contractor Requirements page provides a General Contractor License Application (v3.0), a Change of Contractor form (required if the contractor changes mid-project), a "Bond Language" requirement document, a Felony Statement disclosure, and the Property Owner Authorization Form. A "Homeowner as General Contractor Agreement" form is also provided. Specific license fees, bond amounts, and insurance limits are only in the downloadable documents, not published on the web pages read.

Worth knowing

Historic preservation: 136 regulated historic structures (80 individual landmarks plus local historic districts). Substantial EXTERIOR alterations to regulated structures require a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Commission — even work not visible from the public right-of-way — applied for via the Civic Access Portal ("Certificate of Appropriateness (HPC)") at least 31 days before the monthly HPC meeting. Explicitly stated: "Interior alterations do not require a COA," so interior kitchen/bath/basement remodels are exempt from HPC review.
A contractor bond is required per the "Bond Language" requirement document (amount not published on the pages read).
All-at-once submittal rule: incomplete Civic Access applications are rejected outright.
Construction hours: outdoor construction only 7am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm Saturday, none on Sundays/holidays (residents working on their own home are exempt from the prohibition).
Community Development is at 1150 Half Day Rd, 2nd Floor; walk-ins are closed on Mondays, and the office is open Tue-Fri 7:30am-4pm.

We handle the permits for you

On every GS Construction remodel in Highland Park, we prepare the application and drawings, register with the village where required, track the plan review, and schedule every inspection through to final sign-off — you never stand in line at village hall. See how the GS process works or talk to us about your project.

Planning a project here? See Remodeling in Highland Park.

Official sources

Last verified against official Highland Park sources: 2026-07-14. Requirements and fees change — confirm with the village before you build.

Remodeling in Highland Park? We pull the permits.

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