Villa Park outlines permitting rules, emergency procedures and new online tools; residents press for inspection fixes

Director House, who led the Village of Villa Park’s permitting presentation at the Committee of the Whole on Jan. 12, described why the village issues permits and walked trustees through what types of work require them, how long permits last and how residents can apply.

House said permits protect safety, health and welfare and ensure construction meets minimum standards and outside-agency requirements. "Please call us," she told attendees, adding, "We have very friendly staff. We're happy to help," and urging homeowners and contractors to check with the permit office before starting work. House said Villa Park follows the 2021 International Building Code with local amendments and several state and county codes.

The presentation listed common permit triggers — new construction, demolition, remodeling, HVAC and plumbing work, generators, solar panels, changes to grades, right-of-way work and sewer or water infrastructure — and noted a set of smaller home projects that typically do not require permits, such as interior painting, some landscaping and small retaining walls under 36 inches. Certain routine items can be issued same day, House said, naming roofs, same-size window replacements, water heaters and furnaces; other permits typically have a 10–15 business-day review time depending on submission completeness and workload.

House reviewed documentation and technical requirements: most permits require a plat of survey, a site plan, a written description and a construction value estimate; structural changes and all new residential or commercial construction require stamped and sealed plans. For contractors, House said plumbers must submit their state license, roofers their state roofing license and that specialized trades such as fire alarm and sprinkler contractors must hold the state-required certifications. Right-of-way work requires a $1,000,000 liability insurance policy naming the Village of Villa Park as certificate holder and additional insured; bonds (commonly $1,200 per street opening) and securities for larger developments may also be required.

On emergency work, House said homeowners may proceed with urgent repairs (water, sewer, furnace) and must apply for the permit the next business day for furnace/hot water heater repairs and within 48 hours for water or sewer repairs; inspections remain required. The village’s online permit portal was demonstrated with a sample submittal for a parking-lot/flat-work permit at Village Hall, and House said applicants receive an email confirmation and link back to the application after submission.

Trustees asked detailed questions. Trustee Alfaro asked why some items carry fees despite not requiring inspections; House said fees cover administrative time and inspection costs rolled into the permit price. Trustees also sought clarity about inspector training and certification; House said current inspectors hold certifications in their inspection areas and complete continuing education, and staff agreed to confirm any new statewide timelines referenced by trustees.

Residents used public comment to press the village on inspection quality and scheduling. Resident Vicky Flask recounted three prior incidents in which work passed inspection but was later found to be faulty, and said, "I did incur an additional $10,000 cost because of that issue." Manager Reyes responded that the village would "look at all fairness to waive any additional fees" and that staff would work with affected homeowners, while the village attorney said such cases are fact-specific and should be reported promptly so they can be investigated and handled individually.

Contractor Tom DeAlsandro, who said he has worked in Villa Park for years, told trustees the new portal has been ‘‘a little more streamlined’’ compared with the previous process. Resident Kelly Ludwig urged the village to add online inspection scheduling, a homeowner field to flag specific concerns for inspectors, and a triage system that prioritizes review based on urgency rather than a fixed list of expedited permit types. "I would respectfully ask you to consider online scheduling for inspections," Ludwig said.

House provided a brief fiscal snapshot: in 2025 the village issued almost 2,100 permits and generated just over $600,000 in permit revenue, which House said was about $81,000 short of fully funding the department’s full-time staff for 2026. Trustees and staff discussed using the Villa Park Growth Commission to produce short educational videos and tutorials to help residents understand permitting steps and requirements.

The Committee of the Whole adjourned by motion and voice vote at 6:44 p.m.; the board planned to reconvene at 7:00 p.m. for its regular meeting.