Development Center & Building Permits

Administrative Adjudication

​The Village of Glenview’s Administrative Hearing process is a quasi-judicial tribunal for the expedient, independent and impartial adjudication of municipal ordinance violations that were previously heard only in the Cook County Circuit Court. The Village Board adopted Ordinance 5454 amending Chapter 2 of the Glenview Municipal Code, by the addition of Article VII, creating the office of Administrative Adjudication.

The Administrative Hearing process is independent from the Village departments that investigate, initiate and prosecute the Code violations. It hears cases involving Building Code violations, Fire Code violations, unlicensed businesses, health and sanitation, parking, inappropriate conduct and some animal related citations and other ordinance matters involving the quality of life in the Village of Glenview.

Amtrak-Hiawatha Proposal

Between 2014-19, the Village, with strong support from the community, vigorously opposed an effort to install a holding track in Glenview. A holding track serves to park freight traffic to allow the passage of passenger railcars. The Illinois Department of Transportation, along with state and local officials, ultimately agreed with the Village, determining a holding track was not a viable solution with significant environmental, health and public safety impacts.

Bicycle Registration

Bicycle registration is free. Having your bike registered increases the chance of it being returned if it is lost or stolen.

Complete the registration form below. Or use this bicycle registration form and email it to records@glenview.il.us; mail it to the Village of Glenview, Attention: Records Department, 2500 East Lake Avenue, Glenview IL 60026; or bring it to the Glenview Police Department.

Bike & Pedestrian Master Plan

The Village has completed the final drafts of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan and the ADA Transition Plan. These were adopted by the Village Board of Trustees at its meeting on Nov. 7, 2023.

Block Party, Special Event & Film Permits

To ensure block parties and special events held in the community are safe, the Village may require event organizers to obtain a permit. Explore information about various permit requirements.

Board of Police and Fire Commissioners

The Board of Fire and Police Commissioners is tasked with establishing the testing and hiring process for employment within the Village’s Fire and Police Departments. In addition, the Board has the authority to suspend, discharge, demote, cause longevity or holiday pay to be forfeited, and order random drug testing of any officer or sworn member of the Fire or Police Department.

Board of Trustees

The Village of Glenview Board of Trustees has the power to enact laws and policies, consistent with state law, regulating local and municipal affairs, usually through the enactment of ordinances and resolutions. 

Board of Trustees Meeting Reports

Village Board​ of Tru​stees meeting minutes are available back to 1915 and agendas date back to 1989. A full archive of agendas and minutes is available online.

Business License

Per the Glenview Municipal Code, business licenses are required for all businesses that have locations within the corporate limits of the Village of Glenview.

An initial business license is required upon establishment, change of location, or change of ownership, and must be obtained before opening or relocating in Glenview.

Code Enforcement & Property Maintenance

All communities need building codes to protect citizens from disasters like fires, weather-related events and structural collapse. To protect the health, safety and welfare of residents and businesses, the Village of Glenview sets forth maintenance standards for all properties within Village boundaries.

The Inspectional Services Division of the Community Development Department responds to inspection requests for suspected violations regarding property maintenance standards; food-related health issues; trees on private property; and zoning compliance. Village code inspectors and sanitarians work to keep the public safe.

Commercial Inspections

Every permit issued by the Village of Glenview requires an inspection. Please call (847) 904-4320 to schedule all commercial inspections.

Commercial Remodeling & Alterations

A commercial remodeling permit is required for interior remodeling by existing businesses. These include projects such as interior build-out, remodeling of existing commercial space and alteration of interior electrical, plumbing, fire and mechanical systems.

Commission Volunteer Application

Community Services

There are countless services and programs available to the community apart from those provided by the Village of Glenview. Explore healthcare services, community partners, service clubs and area government offices.

Community Solar

Community solar allows “subscribers” to receive net metering credits on their electricity bill and support the development of new renewable energy resources without needing to install equipment on their property. A community solar project is a single site solar installation shared by multiple subscribers. Community solar projects in Illinois are defined as no larger than 2,000 kW in peak capacity per site.​

Commuter Parking

There are two train stations in the Village of Glenview, and bo​​th stations offer adjacent commuter parking (maps below): 

• The Downtown Metra/Amtrak Station at 1116 Depot Street​
• The Glen of North Glenview Metra Station at 3000 Old Willow Road

For information and schedules for Metra trains, visit metrarail.com. For information and schedules for Amtrak trains, visit amtrak.com. For information and schedules for connecting Pace buses, visit pacebus.com.

Comprehensive Plan

In 2015, the Village Board of Trustees appointed a committee of residents to update the Comprehensive Plan, which acts as a roadmap for development to manage change and help prioritize resources.

Over the course of numerous public meetings in 2016 and 2017, the Committee, Village staff, and a consultant set about drafting a Plan. The document was adopted by the Board of Trustees on February 21, 2017.

Construction Projects

The Village's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) reflects a strong commitment to maintain high-quality infrastructure for the benefit of residents and businesses in Glenview. Active and forthcoming construction projects can be found here.

Contact Us

There are a number of ways to talk to the Village.

Contractor License

Certain contractors are required to register with the Village of Glenview or provide a copy of their license before beginning work within the corporate limits of the Village.

Contractors may submit their registration online or via printed submission. A change of contractors form must also be filed with the Village if a work permit has already been issued for a project.

Click through to explore the fees and documents required of contractors. Contact the Inspectional Services Department with any questions at (847) 904-4330.

Cross Connection Control

A cross connection is any real or potential connection between the water supply and a source that can contaminate or pollute that water.

When the system experiences a loss in water pressure, such as when a fire hydrant is opened or a water main breaks, a backflow can occur that causes water in the pipes to flow in the opposite direction. That's when a contaminant or pollutant could travel into drinking water.

Development Adjustments Commission

​The Glenview Development Adjustments Commission is responsible for reviewing proposals regarding additions and modifications to existing development throughout the Village as well as zoning variations for both new and existing single-family detached residences. 

Development Center

The Development Center is the first point of customer contact for all Community Development-related services, located just inside Village Hall.

Our goal is to create a welcoming environment by effectively and efficiently providing the highest level of customer service through increased access to staff, establishment of clear expectations, and simplifying development processes. 

The Development Center staff will respond to walk-in, email, and phone inquiries related to planning, engineering, building permits, inspections, capital project improvements and complaints. Customers will also be able to submit permit applications, have simple permits issued over-the-counter, obtain a small/medium sized permit through our same-day review (SDR) process, submit large-sized permits through the traditional plan review process, schedule building and engineering inspections, and/or receive technical and administrative assistance.

Doing Business in Glenview

The Village of Glenview is dedicated to developing and maintaining excellent relationships with new and existing businesses within the community. Businesses that choose to locate in Glenview are offered a wide array of incentives, have access to a talented and highly educated workforce, and maintain proximity to the City of Chicago, local expressways, commuter trains and regional and international airports.

Ready to call Glenview home to your business?

Downtown Glenview Revitalization

The revitalization of Downtown Glenview was identified as a top priority during the Glenview Connect process, when the Village held a series of open houses, community meetings and events to gather input on the future of its Downtown District.

Elected Officials

Review all of the area's locally elected representatives.

Environment and Natural Resources Commission

​Charged with preserving, conserving, enhancing, protecting and raising awareness of the environment, natural resources and environmental values of the Village, including the quality of land, air and water, and the interrelationships that exist among and between them and all living things within the Village limits. Meets the third Monday of every month at 7 p.m. 

Environmental Review Committee

The Environmental Review Committee shall have jurisdiction over requests to designate areas within the Village as Environmentally Significant Areas (ESAs) and all activities concerning areas with such ESAs. The goal of the ERC is to guide development to preserve open space and wildlife cover of locally endangered species of flora and fauna and avoid all possible damage to the natural environment contained within the ESAs. All ERC recommendations are forwarded to the Plan Commission for hearing and recommendation to the Village Board of Trustees.

Environmental Sustainability Awards

​Environmental sustainability is about the future. Adopting practices like preventing pollution, reducing waste, conserving energy, reducing emissions to air and water, and boosting recycling are to be celebrated at a time when providing better, cleaner tomorrows is a priority.

Because the Village of Glenview wants to recognize organizations in Glenview that are taking the lead with environmental stewardship, innovative best practices and community outreach, the Village's Environment and Natural Resources Commission sponsors an environmental sustainability awards program. Nominees can be any organization, including businesses, schools, houses of worship and volunteer groups, that serve the Glenview community.

Fire Pension Fund Board

The Fire Pension Board administers the Firefighters' Pension Fund as required by Illinois statute.

Flood Awareness

This page is intended to discuss flooding in the Village of Glenview and provide important information about how you can protect yourself and your property from the risks of flood waters.

The Village is implementing a variety of Capital Improvement projects and flood protection activities in an effort to reduce flooding impacts on Village residents and business owners. As a result of these actions, the Village has joined the Community Rating System, which will result in reduced flood insurance premiums.

Foreign Fire Insurance Board

Per Illinois statute, this site will provide Glenview Foreign Fire Insurance Board minutes, notice of agendas and general information. 

To learn more about the Foreign Fire Insurance Board click on Illinois General Assembly Public Act 096-0505.

Public bodies are required by law to make public records available, upon request, for inspection and copying. Additional information can be found on the Freedom of Information Act website page.

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

The Illinois Freedom of Information Act, enacted in 1989 and updated in 2010, is a series of laws designed to guarantee that the public has access to public records of government bodies at all levels in Illinois. The law requires each public agency to nominate an officer to be the official keeper of public records, as well as complete an online training course, established by the attorney general. The act defines public records as all records, reports, forms, writings, letters, memoranda, books, papers, maps, photographs, microfilms, cards, tapes, recordings, electronic data processing records, recorded information and all other documentary materials under the control of any public body.

Garbage & Recycling

The Village of Glenview contracts with Groot Industries for weekly curbside residential garbage and recycling collection. Single-family detached homes and homes with two attached units (such as duplexes) are included in the Village’s contract with Groot. Homes with three or more attached units (such as townhomes) are not included in the Village’s contract, unless the homeowners’ association applies to do so.

All homes in ​Glenview are required by Village ordinance (Ch. 58 of the Glenview Municipal Code) to have weekly refuse collection. 

Glenview History

Explore the history of Glenview, including the first inhabitants, how and when the Village incorporated and how Glenview got its name.

Go Green Glenview

Learn more about green initiatives sponsored by the Village of Glenview, area partners and local businesses.

Governance

Glenview operates under a council-manager form of government. The Village President and six Trustees are elected-at-large. Terms are four years and there are no term limits. Village elections are held every two years.

The President, with the concurrence of the Trustees, appoints the Village Manager, responsible for implementing board policies and handling day-to-day operations, as well as members of the various Boards and Commissions responsible for overseeing and regulating different aspects of the Village.

Happy Halloween

We want to keep Glenview's young ghouls, goblins and ghosts safe this Halloween! Everything you need for a fun and safe Halloween can be found here!

Heritage Tree Program

In early 2007, Glenview’s Natural Resources Commission launched the Heritage Tree Program. The program is modeled after the Big Tree registries that are maintained on state and national level to recognize and celebrate the size, importance and grandeur of trees. Glenview has been recognized as a Tree City by the National Arbor Day Society and it has a tree protection ordinance. A Voluntary Heritage Tree Program is another way Glenview can celebrate the beauty and value of our stately trees.

Hometown Heroes

The Village of Glenview, in partnership with the Joseph M. Sesterhenn American Legion Post 166, is proud to salute those who honorably serve(d) in the United States Armed Forces.

This program is intended to honor and recognize individuals from the Village of Glenview who have served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and protected our nation. Whether in time of war or peace, veterans and service members performed a critical role in protecting our nation, preserving our democracy, and defending the ideals we hold dear. The Glenview Hometown Heroes Program allows those who serve(d) to be honored by having a street pole banner with their name and picture placed in the heart of Downtown Glenview.

Incentive Programs

The Village offers various incentives for residents and business owners. Browse these incentive programs online or call the Community Development Department at 847-904-4400 to learn more.

Invasive Species

Green spaces and backyards in Glenview and throughout the area are being invaded by plant species that are not native to Illinois and can cause environmental damage.

These invasive species crowd out many native wildflowers and gain an ecological edge that impacts natural landscapes, including woodlands, savannas, prairies and wetlands.

Jackman Park Bear

​The symbolic representation of the Village of Glenview -- the Bear -- made his official debut 100 years ago on Sept. 15, 1917.

On that day, the "Children's Fountain" was dedicated at an event for which the entire town of Glen View, as it was then named, turned out. The site was the southeast corner of Glenview Road and Pine Street, where today an apartment and retail complex stands. In 1946, when a fire station was built on the site (which was torn down in 2013 for the apartment-retail project), the Bear was moved, and the moved again, before occupying its current perch in a plaza adjacent to Jackman Park.

Landscape Waste / Food Composting

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, reduce our carbon footprint and build healthy soil. By turning our food scraps and yard trim into compost, we can transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities.

Lead Services

In August 2021, Governor Pritzker signed into law the Lead Services Inventory and Replacement Act mandating the replacement of all lead service lines in the state. At the time of its execution, the law made Illinois one of only two states, along with Michigan, to mandate lead service line replacement.

Liquor License

The Village of Glenview has traditionally maintained a strong regulatory position regarding both the manner of operation and number of businesses selling alcoholic beverages by the drink or the bottle.

In Glenview, the Village President serves as the Liquor Control Commissioner. S/He has the authority to issue, suspend or revoke liquor licenses. The Village Board of Trustees limits, by ordinance, classifications, hours of sale and number of liquor licenses that may be issued.

Meeting Agendas, Minutes and Video Archive

Click here to review meeting minutes, agendas and a video archive of the Board of Trustees and various commission meetings.

Naval Air Station Glenview

U.S. Naval air power came of age in the years prior to and during World War II. During this time, Naval Air Station (NAS) Glenview was the largest primary training facility for the U.S. Navy. Nearly 9,000 aviation cadets received primary flight training at this site, and an additional 17,000 pilots were qualified for carrier landings through the Carrier Qualification Training Units.

New Development Commission

​​The Glenview New Development Commission is responsible for reviewing proposals regarding development and redevelopment of property throughout the Village. It makes final determinations for things like architecture, landscaping, lighting, and signage and makes recommendations to the Board for final action on new development proposals.

New to Town?

Welcome to Glenview! You've chosen to live in one of the finest residential communities on Chicago's North Shore.

Our Resolution Center can answer your questions. Call (847) 724-1700. You can also check out "everything Glenview" in our Resident Handbook.

Here's some basic guidance in getting your household set up. The Village of Glenview does not list Internet or mobile telephone providers:

No Mow 'Til Mother's Day

The Village of Glenview and Environment & Natural Resources Commission are once again encouraging residents to participate in the “No Mow ‘Til Mother’s Day” initiative.

This program invites residents to avoid mowing their lawn – or a portion of their lawn – through Mother's Day to help support the local ecology, the habitats of pollinators and area wildlife.

• Click here for a No Mow ‘Til Mother’s Day FAQ​​.
• ​​Click here to sign up and get your lawn sign​​.

Ongoing Development Projects

Development proposals currently in the review process by Village commissions and the Board of Trustees can be found here.

Parkway Tree Maintenance

The Village manages and maintains more than 30,000 trees throughout its parkways and municipal properties. Managing this urban forest requires a clear understanding of the trees, their ages, conditions and location so that crews can perform work.

Glenview Public Works is responsible for the planting, maintenance and removal of trees located along public roads and rights-of-way. Parkway tree planting by the Village is done in the spring and fall each year. Each public tree is inspected at least once every six years by a licensed arborist.

Parkway Tree Planting

The Village manages an ongoing parkway tree planting program in order to help keep Glenview green. Each year, new trees are planted along public parkways, and unhealthy or dead trees are removed. 

Through this program, residents may provide input on a specific type of tree to be planted on the parkway in front of their property. Below is more information about specific types of trees available and how you can place an order.

Past Commission Archives

The following commissions are no longer meeting, but the archive of agendas and minutes remain available for review below. The Appearance Commission, Plan Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals were consolidated in 2021 into the Glenview Development Commission.

Peddler & Solicitor License

Solicitors and peddlers must apply and register with the Village of Glenview's Police Department.

Solicitor means any person requesting or seeking to obtain gifts or contributions of money, clothing or any other thing of value or the pledge of any type of future donation for the support or benefit of any charitable, political, religious or nonprofit association, organization, project, corporation, partnership, trust or joint venture, or any combination thereof.

Peddler means any person who takes orders for, offers to sell, sells, or seeks to obtain orders or sales from persons within the Village, including, but not limited to, any person within any residence or apartment, or from any person upon any street, highway, byway, alley or sidewalk within the Village, for any goods, wares, merchandise, foodstuffs, insurance, publications, subscriptions or services of any kind, character or description whatsoever.

Plan For Nature

In 2008, the Village adopted A Plan for Nature in Glenview, a two-volume report inventorying and detailing the ecological condition and potential of 99 open space areas of one acre or larger in the Village of Glenview.

The goal of Glenview’s Plan for Nature was straightforward: To enhance, improve and protect the natural areas and open spaces of Glenview, including prairie, wetlands, rivers and streams, shorelines and detention basins. These resources enrich our quality of life, and the Village, its residents and local businesses can all play a part in contributing to their preservation.

Police Pension Fund Board

The Police Pension Fund Board administers a pension fund as prescribed by Illinois statute for the benefit of its police officers and their surviving spouses, children and certain other dependents.

Precipitation

Information on precipitation is gathered in three ways: rainfall, the water level at Techny Basin and the water level of the West Fork of the Chicago River's North Branch.

Readings are updated every 10 minutes. Data on precipitation, river level and Techny Basin level is provided for informational purposes only, and the Village of Glenview may not be held liable for any damages resulting from their use.

Public Health Services

Here you'll find information regarding temporary food service operations, outdoor dining, vacant property registration, mosquito control and coal tar sealants.

Public Meeting Process

The Illinois Open Meetings ​Act covers all public bodies. The term "public body" includes: all legislative, executive, administrative or advisory bodies of the state, counties, townships, cities, ​villages, incorporated towns, school districts and all other municipal corporations, boards, bureaus, committees or commissions of this State, and any subsidiary bodies of any of the foregoing including but not limited to committees and subcommittees which are supported in whole or in part by tax revenue, or which expend tax revenue, except the General Assembly and its committees or commissions.​

Purchasing

The Village purchases and procures goods and services from qualified vendors across all its departments to best serve residents and businesses. These services include critical operations such as snow plowing, printing and publishing, inspectional services and engineering support, among others.

Reserve a Meeting Room

The Glenview Village Hall Board Room and Community Room are available for meetings conducted by local civic, not-for-profit and nonsectarian groups in which a majority of members reside within the Village of Glenview.

Residential Inspections

Every permit issued by the Village of Glenview requires an inspection. Please call (847) 904-4320 to schedule all residential inspections.

Schools

Explore area schools serving the Glenview community.

Senior Services

The Village partners with the North Shore Senior Center on a number of specialized services for older adults and their families.

The Senior Services Coordinator can be found on the main floor of Village Hall at 2500 East Lake Avenue, and is available from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday (unless otherwise posted).

Service Request

Service requests can be submitted for non-emergency issues that should be addressed by the Village of Glenview regarding public property owned and maintained by Glenview.

Requests typically reported include street maintenance, animal issues, street light outages, public tree issues and snow plowing.

Skokie Valley Trail

A project to provide 4.5 miles of new multi-use trail is back on track, more than a decade after the idea of extending the Skokie Valley Trail from Lake County through Northfield, Wilmette, Glenview and Skokie was first proposed. When completed, the Skokie Valley Trail would ultimately provide direct bicycle path connectivity from Lake County to Chicago.

Snow & Ice Control

The Village is responsible for removing snow and ice from 160 miles of roadway, 272 culs-de-sac and 80 miles of sidewalk along with 18 parking lots that service Village facilities, the central business district, the Glen Town Center and two commuter train stations.

Stormwater Master Plan

The Glenview Stormwater Master Plan will be used to assess current stormwater conditions in the Village and identify and prioritize future projects to address flooding issues. 

The Master Plan will use a multi-faceted approach that includes the following: 

• Input from residents currently experiencing flooding issues
• A review of current and potential ordnances and policies
• Hydrologic and hydraulic modeling that incorporates constructed projects and changes in rainfall patterns
• Identification and prioritization of potential flood reduction projects

Stormwater Pollution Prevention

The Village of Glenview discharges stormwater from its storm sewer system under IEPA General National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit No. ILR40.

As a condition of the permit, the Village is required to set goals for a five-year period in order to reduce pollution to the receiving waters. These goals are described in the Notice of Intent. 

After each program year, the Village must document its status of compliance with and any changes to the Notice of Intent in an Annual Facilities Inspection​ Report.

Street & Sidewalk Maintenance

The Public Works Department is responsible for maintaining 160 miles of roadway and 80 miles of sidewalk, including pothole patching, sign maintenance, street sweeping, snow plowing and sidewalk repair and maintenance.

Major street improvements, which are prioritized after evaluation of all paved roads, are planned in cooperation with the Community Development Department and are performed by private contractors overseen by the Village. Current construction projects can be viewed here.

Traffic & Parking

The Police Department's Patrol and Traffic divisions watch for speeding and other traffic safety violations. To report a violation in progress, call the department at (847) 729-5000. The divisions also conduct selective speeding enforcement.

To request such enforcement or placement of the department's speed monitoring cart for your area, call the department at (847) 729-5000 and request to speak to the Traffic Unit or complete this web form​.

Transparency

In order to provide residents and other interested individuals with information about their local government’s activities and how their tax dollars are spent, the Village has compiled information about finances, the public meeting process, staff salaries and benefits, records requests and an archive of public meeting minutes and agendas.

Tree Planting Incentive Program

Are you considering adding a tree to your landscape? It’s a great way to improve the beauty and functionality of your home environment, and the Village of Glenview can help!

Launched in 2022, the tree planting incentive program provides a 50 percent reimbursement -- u​​​p to $300 – for preapproved tree planting projects.

Tree Removal Permit

All landmark trees in the Village are protected. Landmark trees are defined as trees that are 16 inches or more in diameter at breast height, which is measured 4.5 feet above the ground, and are of a high quality species, such as oaks, hickories or maples. Other trees that are a lesser quality species, such as cottonwood and box elder, must be 20 inches or more in diameter at breast height in order to be protected.

A tree removal permit issued through the Inspectional Services Division is required before any landmark tree can be removed on private property. Trees on public property, regardless of size, are protected and may only be removed by the Public Works department or through a tree removal permit issued through the Inspectional Services Division.

Village KPI

Review the Key Performance Indicators of Village departments.

Visit Glenview

The Village of Glenview had 350 residents when it was incorporated in 1899. Today, the population is almost 50,000. Located in Cook County, the Village's fine amenities and services, excellent schools, 34 parks and playgrounds covering more than 290 acres, numerous options for shopping and dining and proximity to local expressways and commuter trains have made it one of Chicago's premier suburbs -- a vibrant, thriving community that manages growth with success and style.

Voting

Individuals can register at Glenview Village Hall. Other area locations to register to vote in person can be found online at cookcountyclerk.il.gov/elections.

You can register to vote by online application at ova.elections.il.gov.

Click through for more information about voting.

Water Quality Reports

The Village of Glenview is required by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to publish annually a Consumer Confidence Water Quality Report.

The report summarizes the quality of the water that was provided in the past year, including details about where the water comes from, what it contains, how it compares to current standards and who to contact with questions.

Your Water Bill

​Village of Glenview customers receive quarterly water bills. The bills are dated the first of the billing month and are due on the 25th of that month.