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Deerfield adopts uniform fine schedule and clarifies contractor liability for permit violations
Summary
The board amended municipal-code sections to make homeowners and contractors both potentially liable for work without permits and established a uniform fine range (generally $200 to $2,000) with escalation for repeat noncompliance; ordinance passed unanimously.
The Village of Deerfield on Dec. 2 approved an ordinance amending municipal-code sections 6-1 and 6-19.4 to clarify liability and create a uniform fine structure for building-permit and related municipal-code violations.
Justin, who introduced the measure, said the changes explicitly state that both homeowners and contractors may be liable when a stop-work order is issued and that the update codifies existing village practice. "Exactly. That both are responsible," Justin told trustees when asked whether liability is joint and several.
The ordinance also simplifies a patchwork of prior fine ranges by setting a consistent penalty framework (staff described a working range of $200 to $2,000 as the uniform scale), with staff beginning enforcement at the lower end and escalating for continued noncompliance; adjudication through the village process and circuit-court review remain available. The board moved, seconded and adopted the ordinance by roll call.
