Building

Building Department

Welcome to the City of Ottawa Building Department. The Building Department is a division of Community Development and is responsible for all phases of construction, permitting and inspections within the City. The Department reviews plans, issues permits and conducts field inspections for all construction projects ranging from a backyard shed to commercial projects. The review of building plans, issuance of permits and conducting inspections are all done in an effort to protect health, safety and general welfare of City residents.

All contractors must be registered to work within the City of Ottawa.  Click here for more information.

IF YOU HAVE A PROJECT, PLEASE CALL THE BUILDING AND ZONING OFFICIAL.

The City has adopted and enforces the following National and State Codes:

• International Building Code – 2018
• International Mechanical Code – 2018
• International Residential Code – 2018
• National Electrical Code – 2020
• Illinois State Plumbing Code – 2014
• Illinois Accessibility Code – 1997
• International Property Maintenance Code – 2018
• International Fire Code – 2018
• International Energy Conservation Code – 2018
• City of Ottawa Municipal Code

In an effort to ensure quality standards above and beyond those in the model codes, the City has also amended by ordinance, certain sections in each of these codes. See Chapter 22 of the Municipal Code.

PERMITS

Permits and Forms

The following permits may be required for your project:

1. Design Review Application
2. Site Development Permit
3. Special Floodplain Hazard Development Permit
4. Demolition Permit
5. Building Permit – Commercial/Industrial or Residential
6. Electrical Permit
7. Plumbing Permit
8. Fence Permit
9. Pool Permit
10. Water and Sewer Connections Permit
11. Street Permit
12. Sign Permit

All permit forms can be found under Government, Permits and Forms.   See below for additional information on each type of permit.

SITE DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
A Site Development Permit Application and two copies of the following plans shall be submitted (where applicable): site plan, grading plan, lighting and photometric plan, landscape plan and signage. Any questions on submittal requirements contact the City Planner. Site plan must be approved prior to the issuance of a building permit.

SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD DEVELOPMENT PERMITS
Any proposed work within the floodplain requires a Special Flood Hazard Development Permit and an Elevation Certificate. Applicants shall submit a site plan and application for review and approval. Any questions on submittal requirements contact the Building and Zoning Official.

DEMOLITION
All demolition work requires a permit. If the demolition is commercial or industrial, the applicant must notify IEPA and State of Illinois. All existing water services shall be disconnected at the water main. All sewer services shall be cut and plugged at the street-right-of-way or sewer main. If trenching occurs in the street right-of-way, then a Street Permit must be obtained. Any questions on submittal requirements contact the Building and Zoning Official.

BUILDING PERMIT

1. Commercial/Industrial Building permits are required for all commercial and industrial expansions, additions and new structures. Due to the unique features of each building; requirements may vary from project to project. The initial step in any project of this scope is to verify that the zoning classification for your project meets the zoning of your lot. Submit two sets of plans drawn by an Illinois Architect or Illinois Structural Engineer for each project. The plan submittal shall include but not limited to: soils report, structural calculations and energy calculations (follow the process identify by www. energycodes.gov).
2. Residential If you are considering improvements to your home or property, contact the Building and Zoning Official as to whether a permit is required. Each application shall include a drawing showing your intended building location dimensioned from all lot lines. Building permits are required for the following:

• All new homes
• Anything structural
• Room additions
• Basements
• Decks
• Sheds/ Garages larger than 120 square feet

ELECTRICAL PERMIT
Electrical Permits are required for:

• Underground installations of any kind
• New or upgraded services
• Residential
• Commercial/Industrial
• All swimming pools

A licensed electrician must complete the work. Contact the Electrical Inspector with questions.

PLUMBING PERMIT
A licensed plumber must complete the work. Contact the Plumbing Inspector with questions.

FENCES
Any repair, replacement or new residential requires a permit.  Contact the Building and Zoning Official with questions.

POOLS
All in-ground pools and above ground pools deeper than 24 inches require a permit.  Contact the Building and Zoning Official with questions.

WATER AND SEWER SERVICE CONNECTIONS
All water and sewer services require a Water and Sewer Connection Permit.  Contact the Building and Zoning Official with questions.

STREET PERMITS
All work done within the street right-of-way requires a street permit. Contact Bill Boettcher with questions.

SIGN
New or replacement signs require a permit.  Contact the Building and Zoning Official with questions.

OTHER INFORMATION

PERMIT REVIEW
Permits generally take 5-10 days to complete a review. If changes are required, this process could take longer.

PERMIT LENGTH
Permit should be posted onsite and visible from street. Building permits will expire if the work is not started within six (6) months of the date of issuance. The maximum length of a permit is two (2) years.