Program will provide building permits sooner in Arlington Hts.

A new pilot program will speed up the process for residents to get building permits for home construction projects in Arlington Heights, officials said.

Village Manager Bill Dixon explained the Residential Same Day Permit and Same Day Plan Review programs to the village board at its meeting on Monday.

Under the Residential Same Day Permit program, residents will be able to receive an over-the-counter review of their completed application for residential construction projects and receive a permit that day if they meet all the requirements, Dixon said. Under the Same Day Plan Review, more extensive plans can be discussed with a business services department employee with 24 hours' notice, he said.

The idea for both programs came from Trustee Jim Tinaglia, who owns an architectural firm in Arlington Heights but has had to work with different codes of several suburbs. The new programs are modeled off what Tinaglia said he experienced in Glenview.

"This is an effort to make it easier for applicants," Tinaglia said. "This is a great step forward."

Residential construction projects eligible for the over-the-counter reviews will include a basketball pole, a furnace, re-roofing, sewer repair, water heater replacement or window replacement.

Projects eligible for the same-day plan reviews include an air conditioner, basement remodel, bath remodel, deck, garage demolition, driveway replacement, a fireplace, kitchen remodel and more.

Same-day plan reviews will be offered by appointment only on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 and 11:30 a.m. or 1 and 4 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled with 24 hours' notice by calling (847) 368-5585.

Projects that are ineligible under the new program include those that would increase the footprint of the structure or anything that requires the removal or alteration of any load-bearing wall, Dixon said.

"This looks like it will be a great service to our residents," said Village President Tom Hayes.

If the pilot program is successful, Dixon said the village would look to expand it to commercial projects.