Frequently Asked Questions

The Community Development Department is responsible for administering zoning and development codes to ensure orderly development and redevelopment within the Village. The Community Development Department is divided into two divisions: Planning, and Building and Safety. Department staff reviews plans, issues permits and performs the necessary inspections to ensure adherence to proper construction and design codes. The department is further responsible for health, housing, and property maintenance inspections to protect the health and well being of residents.

The flood map is created, and designation is determined, by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). Please view the FEMA Flood Map here.

No. The Village of Schiller Park on December 20, 2018 (Ordinance 18-4109) prohibited short term rental units located in residential zoning districts. This prohibits Airbnb and other similar uses in the Village.   

Ordinance 18-4109 is available here. Anyone who violates the provisions of the ordinance is subject to fines up to $750 per day. 

The Village’s Code contains provisions which specify the acceptable uses that are permitted on one’s property. The range of uses and structures allowed differ based on the zoning type, e.g. commercial versus residential zones. For more information, please search for land use and zoning provisions under each zoning classification within the Village Code of Ordinances. 

Pursuant to Section 155.2302 of the Village Code, the zoning category of a certain property can be located by using our zoning map.

If you are planning to buy or rent commercial property for your business and will operate your business in Schiller Park, it is required to obtain a business license. For more information, please visit our Business License Page. 

Pursuant to Section 155.305 of the Village Code, home-based businesses are permitted in the Village if they adhere to all of the following requirements: 

• Is operated in its entirety within the residence and only by the person or persons maintaining a dwelling therein 
• Does not have a separate entrance from outside the building 
• Does not display or create outside the building any external evidence of the operation of a home occupation 
• Does not utilize more than 20% of the gross floor area of the dwelling unit, not to exceed 300 square feet in area 
• Does not have any employees or regular assistants in the dwelling unit 
• Does not utilize mechanical or electrical equipment other than the type normally found in the single-dwelling unit 
• Does not involve the sale of commodities upon the premises

The letter should clearly state when, where, and why there is a public hearing. In most cases, it is because a neighbor has requested the Village grant a variance, conditional use, property zone change, or other request from the Zoning or Building Code for their property. For any questions, please call Community Development at 847-671-8555. 

The Zoning, Planning, and Appeals (ZPA) Commission holds public hearings for Variances, Planned Unit Developments, Text Amendments, Subdivisions, and other land use issues. The ZPA meets the second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. on the 2nd floor of Village Hall at 9526 Irving Park Road.  

When considering a request, the ZPA considers its standards as outlined in the Village Code, the petitioner’s proposal and public input, and then makes a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. For more information about the Zoning Review Process, please visit our Zoning Review Page. 

Whether or not a certain property is located in a flood plain or flood zone can be determined by viewing our FEMA Flood Map and using the color-coded system (residences in red areas are in the new floodplain. Please drag the grey vertical bar to the left to view the new floodplain map). Alternatively, the current FEMA Flood Map can be viewed in person by visiting the Community Development Department at 4501 25th Avenue during normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please call Community Development at 847-671-8555 if you have any questions. 

All applications for building permits are submitted online via Community Core.

The fee schedule is attached: Permit Fee Schedule

The Village does not survey private property or maintain plats of survey, but you can submit a Freedom of Information Act ("FOIA") Request to see if the Village possibly possesses a plat of survey for your property.  

There is a possibility that a plat of survey was given to you when you purchased your property, so you may want to check your own personal files.  

Even if you or the Village has a Plat of Survey for your property in its files it may not be a recent plat of survey and therefore it may not be acceptable to be submitted as part of a zoning application or building permit application. 

If a recent plat of survey cannot be found, it may be necessary to call a state-licensed surveyor to undertake a new survey. 

• Department (847-671-8555/ CD@schillerparkil.us). Please note that plan review times may be impacted by staff workload or unforeseen projects.

To learn more click HERE

• Yes, a building permit is required.  Click the box on the permit application form indicating that the Homeowner is Contractor.  
• Comply with all applicable Building Codes and Village Ordinances
• Schedule and pass all required inspections

Click HERE for the building permit application page!

• Permits are reviewed by the Community Developement Department staff in the order they are received. 
• An applicant can expect either requested revisions from the Village, or for the application to be advanced to the next step in the application process through Community Core, within 7-10 business days of any submitted or updated application.

Click HERE to be taken to the building portal application page!