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Building
The Galena Building Department is responsible for overseeing building construction projects within the City of Galena. The Department is also responsible for enforcing the Historic Preservation Ordinance, Rental Housing Inspection Program, and the Backflow Prevention Device Inspection Program. The building permit application forms, application form for a certificate of appropriateness in the historic district, and general information about how the department works is included in this website. BUILDING CODES AND INSPECTIONSThe City of Galena has adopted the following building codes governing the construction of new structures, additions to existing structures, remodeling, and maintenance:
In addition to the above codes, the City has also adopted the 2003 International Property Maintenance Code, the 2003 International Existing Buildings Code and the 2003 National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code. These codes are used in application to existing buildings and uses. You may download an Application for Building Permit or obtain one at City Hall in Galena, 312 1/2 N. Main Street. Fees for building permits are based on a sliding schedule of estimated value of the materials and labor involved in the project. The time required for plan review of projects varies depending on the complexity and size of the project. Applicants should expect plan review to take at least three weeks. HISTORIC PRESERVATIONThe City of Galena designated the original town limits and additions as they existed on December 31, 1859 as the boundaries of the National Register Historic District. Within the district, which includes all of the downtown and much of the residential areas of the City, exterior changes to structures must comply with the Historic Preservation Ordinance. Minor changes to buildings, such as repainting structures or replacement of existing exterior materials with like materials will be reviewed by the Building Official and either approved or denied. Requests for major changes to a building exterior, and appeals of denials of a requested minor change are heard by the Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The HPC meets monthly on the first Thursday of the month from January through April, and from October through December. The Commission meets twice monthly from May through September, on the first and third Thursdays. Meetings are at 6:30 PM at City Hall, and are open to the public. To appear on an HPC agenda, completed Certificate of Appropriateness applications must be received by the Building Department at least 9 days prior to the meeting date. This allows the packets to be mailed to Commission members and time for the Commission members to review the application materials and visit the site prior to the meeting. At the meeting, the Commission will hear the request, and will either deny, approve, or approve with conditions. If the Commission approves a request, an Application for Building Permit can be applied for the next day. There is an appeal process available to anyone aggrieved by a ruling of the HPC. It is important that persons considering a change to a building contact the Building Department to discuss the project. Please allow adequate time for plan review, and, if necessary, hearing by the HPC. Fencing, stairs, roofing materials and exterior paint colors, also must conform to the City's Historic Preservation Ordinance. The Historic Preservation Commission meeting calendar and a step-by-step process for applicants is provided below. THE GALENA HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION PROCESS
RENTAL HOUSING INSPECTION PROGRAMGeneral InformationThe Rental Housing Inspection Program exists to preserve public safety. This program enforces minimum standards for basic equipment and facilities for light, ventilation, and heating; for safety from fire; for the use and amount of space for human occupancy; and for safe and sanitary maintenance of dwellings. Tenants, landlords, and the city all play a role in the implementation of this program. All rental property in Galena, excluding single family rental homes with one rental unit, is required to maintain a valid rental certificate of inspection in compliance with the Galena Residential Rental Housing Code. This code establishes minimum standards for the use and safe occupancy of dwellings to protect, preserve and promote the physical and mental health of its residents. Obtaining a rental certificate is the responsibility of the property owner. Applications for Rental Housing Certificates of Inspection may be downloaded here, obtained at City Hall, 312 ½ North Main Street, Galena, Illinois, or by calling City Hall at 815-777-1050. The Jo Daviess County Housing Authority will inspect one-third of all rental units beginning September 1, 2005. Another one-third will be inspected in 2006 and the final one-third will be inspected in 2007. Those units scheduled for the second and third years will receive interim certificates of inspection that will allow them to rent until inspected. The inspection cycle will be repeated beginning in the fourth year. Anyone occupying a rental unit they believe to be dangerous or substandard may call City Hall to ask for advice and/or an inspection. Failure to obtain a certificate of inspection for a rental property could result in legal action with a fine of up to $750 per violation, per day. RENTAL HOUSING INSPECTION: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSWhere is the Rental Housing Inspection Office? How do I make changes to my address, phone or agent information? Why is a rental certificate of inspection required? Are there circumstances when a rental certificate of inspection is not required? A dwelling unit occupied by the owner (or members of the owner's family) who rents to no more than two roomers unrelated to the owner or the owner's family. OR A dwelling unit that meets any one of the following conditions:
How much is the rental certificate of inspection fee?
What hap pens if I rent a unit without a rental certificate of inspection to someone? Who do I call to find out if a property has a rental certificate of inspection? How long is a rental certificate of inspection valid? Are rental certificates of inspection transferable to new owners? Does an owner need a property agent? Can my tenant be the local agent? How do I schedule an inspection? Do I need to be present for the inspection? What areas of the unit will be inspected? Are there limits to the number of tenants that may occupy a rental unit? How long will the inspection last? How long after the inspection will I receive my rental certificate of inspection?
Backflow Prevention Device Inspection ProgramFederal and State regulations require public potable water supplies to adopt rules to prevent contamination in their water systems. To comply with these mandates, the Galena City Council has adopted an ordinance, Cross Connection Control, to protect the City's potable water supply from contaminants back-flowing from a customer's water system. Chapter 152 of the City Code establishing this program was approved in 1997. The ordinance is administered by the Galena Water Department and Galena Building Department. DEFINITIONSBackflow. The flow of water or other liquids, mixtures or substances into the distribution pipes of a potable water system from any source other than the intended source of the public water supply. Backflow Prevention Device. Any approved device, method or type of construction intended to prevent backflow into a potable water system. All devices used for backflow prevention in Illinois must meet the standards of the Illinois Plumbing Code and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. CUSTOMER RESPONSIBILITIESEach water customer has the responsibility to prevent contaminants from entering their system as well as the City water system. This responsibility starts at the point of delivery and includes the customer's entire water system. An approved backflow prevention device shall be installed on each water service line to a customer's water system when, in the judgment of the Water Department Superintendent, actual or potential hazards to the public water supply system may exist. The following are types of businesses where backflow prevention devices are mandatory in Galena:
The owner of each property with a backflow prevention device is required to maintain the inspection tag placed on each device by the inspector to accurately log the following:
CITY'S RESPONSIBILITYThe Supervisor of the Water Department is responsible for enforcing the requirements of the Cross Connection Control ordinance and insuring that all customers of the City water system comply with local ordinances, as well as state and federal mandates. In order to comply with these rules and regulations the City has established the Backflow Prevention Device Inspection Program. The program is administered jointly by the City of Galena Water Department and Building Department. As part of the program, each device is tested at least annually by the City Plumbing Inspector or a certified inspection firm hired by the City. Following inspections, the City forwards to the property owner a detailed form with the results of the inspection. The property owner is responsible for paying $100 for each device inspected. Records of all backflow inspections are maintained by the Building Department and are available for inspection. Questions about the Backflow Prevention Device Inspection Program may be directed to the Building Official at 815-777-1050 or dstewart@cityofgalena.org.
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