The Village of Glen Carbon Building and Zoning Department enforces standards for the construction of buildings within the Village limits, to ensure the safety of the public. It does this by administering and enforcing the Illinois State Building Codes and The Building Code of the Village of Glen Carbon.

To meet these requirements, the Department:

• Reviews applications and plans for new construction, and the alteration of existing structures.
• Issues building permits.
• Performs inspections of new or substantially altered buildings to assure that construction has been completed according to the appropriate codes and laws, and when necessary, then grants approval.
• Investigates complaints, typically concerning illegal construction and housing maintenance standards.
• Suggests updates to the Village Code to reflect social and technological changes.
• Prepares public hearings for Planning and Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Administers Housing Code and conducts all inspections of rental property.

The Department consists of the Building and Zoning Official, 2 Building Inspectors and is primarily responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Building Code which regulates the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings and their related equipment as necessary to safeguard the safety, health, and welfare of the occupants and the public.

Application for Building Permits may be obtained from the Village Office or through our Applications/Permits page, and completed forms should be returned to the Village Office with any required supporting documents. A fee will be charged for a permit based on a fee schedule approved by the Village Board of Trustees.

Secondary responsibilities of the Building Department are to administer and enforce the Zoning Code; and work closely with the Village Board of Trustees and Building and Development Committee.

The Zoning Code regulates the uses permitted on properties within various Zoning Districts; establishes required yard dimensions and heights of buildings; regulates the uses to which yards may be put; regulates off-street parking requirements, fences, walls exterior signage etc.

Inspections of work for which Building Permits are issued are performed by the Village Building Inspector. When a permit is issued an Inspection Record Card for that permit is given to the inspector. When work is started, notify inspector by calling the Village Office at (618) 288-2612. As work is performed, periodic inspections will be made to see that work complies with approved plans and applicable codes; date and work inspected is noted on inspection card. If the inspector visits and you do not know him, ask for identification.

Zoning Code Appeals
Once in a while property owners desire to construct something on their property which is not in accordance with Zoning Code requirements and therefore the work cannot be approved for a permit by the Building Commissioner. In such case the property owner may appeal to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a hearing to see if a variance can be granted, thus permitting the work.

The Planning and Zoning Commission meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Village Board chamber if there is an agenda. Public hearing requests and other items of business must be in the Village Building and Zoning Department Office no later than 20 days in advance of its meeting or public hearings.

The Building and Zoning Department has been working with developers and builders on the following pending and potential developments:

• The first phase of Meridian Oaks Subdivision is now complete and several new homes are under various phases of construction. Many lots in this first phase are still available.
• Osborn Development has started storm and sanitary sewer work on the Cottonwood Villas development on Village Dr.
• Osborn Development’s pending Westport Business Park at 159 and Benes Avenue.
• New office space for J. Wilkenson Construction Co. at School and S. Main streets in Old Town.
• New single-family residence at 121 S. Main St. in Old Town.

The Building and Zoning Department has issued the following building permits for businesses in the Village of Glen Carbon.

• Sam’s Club - new building scheduled for completion by September 2013.
• Walmart expansion – scheduled for completion by August 2013
• Subway - relocation to the north end of the Cottonwood Plaza
• 4273 State Route 159 - new building shell with approx.8,000 square feet of lease space.

Recently completed Construction Permits:

• Annie’s Frozen Custard located at the intersection of Illini Dr. and Center Grove Dr.
• Little Caesar’s Pizza at 3751 State Route 159.
• Great Beginnings Daycare at 4263 State Route 159.
• Associated Pediatric Dentistry located at 116 Magnolia Commons.

Recent Annexations

The Village of Glen Carbon has recently completed the annexation of the following properties:

• 4510 and 4520 State Route 159