Village staff urge residents to get building permits, stressing safety, turnaround times and new online system

Village of Orland Park staff told residents at a community session that obtaining building permits is primarily about life safety and avoiding costly mistakes, and described common situations that require permits and inspections.

"If it could fall down, burn up or zap you, you need a permit," said Stacy Dexter, the village’s building division manager, as she walked through photos showing compromised framing, improperly notched headers and overloaded electrical panels. Dexter and Carrie Haberstitch, assistant development services director, urged homeowners to call the department when uncertain whether a permit is required.

The presentation listed specific safety items that often trigger permit and inspection requirements: continuous handrails on stairways, spindle spacing that prevents a 4-inch sphere from passing through, properly grounded GFCI outlets in wet areas, hardwired smoke and carbon…