Are you improving your home to add value or planning to move soon?
When you choose to complete home improvements without obtaining a permit from the Village, you must ask, “Is it worth the risk?”
The Village of Riverside requires building permits for construction, alteration, repair, or demolition of any building or structure within the Village limits.
Occasionally the Village will receive a request to view permits or inspection reports. Some of these requests occur at the point of real estate transactions. If a potential buyer can’t find evidence that The Village issued permits and conducted appropriate inspections, the sale of the property could be at risk. Additionally, suppose the sale goes through without recording building improvements. Then, the assessed tax value may be an unhappy surprise to the new owners in the next assessment year.
If a disaster were to occur: fires due to bad electrical work or water damage due to improper plumbing, the homeowner’s insurance company has the ability to deny the claim due to the work being completed without a permit. Permits confirm that the work planned and completed meets proper codes and ordinances. Further, the Village verifies that the contractor is registered, bonded, and insured, which also protects the property owner if someone performing work onsite is injured.
Build Responsibly...
Before you build, please visit our permits website page: www.riverside.il.us/240/building-permits. If you have additional questions, contact the Community Development Department at (708) 447-1241 or permits@riverside.il.us.
Finally, the Village requires Certificates of Compliance and an accompanying zoning inspection when there is a change of ownership for properties. This process, along with a final water bill reading, must be done, and a stamp issued before the deed will be recorded. Find more information about this process here: https://www.riverside.il.us/258/Sale-Transfer-of-Property-FAQs