Unpermitted Work In Burr Ridge? It'll Cost You

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge officials want to get the message across: Don't build without a permit, or you'll pay.

For the last couple of years, the village has encountered an increasing number of unpermitted projects. It's been a source of frustration.

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Fines already exist for construction without permits. But the village is looking for other ways to make violators pay.

On Monday, the Village Board approved changing the code to double the zoning fee for unpermitted work to $5,000. That compares to $800 for projects where work had not begun.

"It's codified as essentially a zoning petition fee," said Janine Farrell, the village's community development director. "It's just more of a penalty for building first without receiving approval."

The vote for the change was unanimous.

In August, for at least the third time in 2026, a Burr Ridge homeowner came before the Village Board to seek an exception to the local code after unpermitted building work.

He added a covered deck that the original plan did not include. While a deck is allowed, the roof for the deck violated setback rules, according to the village.

Trustee Tony Schiappa was not alone in his unhappiness.

"I want to put an end to it," he said. "This is not how we do business in the village."

Nonetheless, the board voted 4-2 for an exception. Trustees Schiappa and Guy Franzese were in the minority.