Zoning FAQs

QUESTION:           What are the City of Fairfield ordinances covering Mobile Homes in the City of Fairfield R-3 district?

ANSWER:            152.34  AGE REQUIREMENT FOR MOBILE HOMES AND MANUFACTURED HOMES A)   No building permit may be issued for the placement of a mobile home or manufactured home in the city and no building permit may be issued to move a mobile home or manufactured home to another location within the city limits of the city if the mobile home or manufactured home was manufactured during a calendar year which was more than 15 years prior to the calendar year in which the permit is requested. Exception, if a mobile home or a manufactured home is replacing an older existing mobile home or manufactured home (by at least one calendar year). A swap out will be allowed after age has been verified that it is newer than current one and has been inspected by a state licensed inspector and a copy of inspection provided. If the swapped out mobile home or manufactured home (one being replaced) is more than 15 years old the owner will be required to remove it from the city limits within 30 days. Violators of this section will be subject to fines and penalties in § 152.99.

   (B)   A copy of a mobile home or manufactured home title confirming the age of the manufactured home or mobile home is required to obtain the building permit. In addition to the title, a copy of the inspection from a state licensed inspector is required. All deficiencies found by the inspector must be repaired within 90 days and then re-inspected to meet code requirements at the expense of the owner.

§ 152.40  INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-COMPLIANT/DANGEROUS MOBILE HOME.

   (A)   The city has the authority to require an inspection upon the notification or complaint from the occupant or any persons regarding the safety, appearance, or structural integrity of any rented or unrented mobile homes or manufactured homes in the city limits. The inspection will be completed by a State of Illinois licensed inspector. All fees and charges by said person or company will be paid by the manufactured home or mobile home owner.

   (B)   Any mobile home occupied as a dwelling or residence which shall be found to have any of the following defects, shall be proscribed as unfit for human habitation, or required to be brought up to standards of this chapter:

      (1)   The structure is so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, unsafe or vermin-infested that it creates a serious hazard to the health or safety of the occupants or of the public;

      (2)   The structure lacks ventilation or sanitation facilities adequate to protect the health or safety of the occupants or the public;

      (3)   Any mobile home proscribed as unfit for human habitation shall be vacated within a reasonable time, not to exceed 30 days, as ordered by the inspector or City Council;

      (4)   No dwelling or dwelling unit which has been proscribed as unfit for human habitation shall again be used for human habitation until written approval is secured from the inspector or City Council;

      (5)   Any owner of a mobile home declared unfit for human habitation shall be given written notice of same and shall have a period of 90 days to bring said mobile home into compliance with minimum housing standards and, in the event they fail to do so, said mobile home shall be removed from the premises;

      (6)   If said owner of said mobile home fails to bring said mobile home into compliance within the required period, or fails to remove said mobile home, the city shall have the right to go upon the property upon which said mobile home is situated and remove, or cause to be removed, said mobile home and the cost and expense of said removal shall be charged to the owner of said mobile home. Any cost and expense incurred by the city in the storing of said mobile home shall also be chargeable to, and the responsibility of, the owner of said mobile home. Any such expenses so incurred by the city and not paid by the owner within a period of 30 days after being provided of such expenses, and upon filing of such notice in the county clerk’s office, the city shall become a lien holder upon any real estate and/or mobile home owned by said mobile home owner.

(Ord. 19-0709-177, passed 7-9-2019)

QUESTION:           What are the ordinances covering Temporary Living Quarters (Campers and RVs) in Zoned areas of the City of Fairfield?

ANSWER: § 152.41  TEMPORARY LIVING QUARTERS. Motor homes, travel trailers, camping trailers (commonly referred to as “campers”), modified busses, semi-trailers, recreational vehicles (commonly referred to as “RV’s), or any other type of structure designed for temporary living quarters may not be used within the corporate limits of the municipality for permanent habitation. All such structures may be used for temporary living for a period not to exceed 14 days in any 12-month period. In the event of extenuating or emergency circumstances, a variance to this provision may requested from and issued by the Mayor. The Mayor shall refer the matter to the Zoning Board of Appeals within seven days of the variance being granted. The Zoning Board of Appeals shall meet and consider the variance at the earliest convenient date. Any recommendation of the Zoning Board of Appeals shall then be considered by the City Council at its next available regularly scheduled City Council meeting.

(Ord. 19-0709-177, passed 7-9-2019)

§ 152.99  PENALTY.

   (A)   Any person, or persons, violating any provision of this chapter shall be fined not less than $150 for a first offense

QUESTION:           What type of projects require a building permit?

  • New Construction of any building or other structure with a total construction cost in excess of $100.00.
  • Addition to any building or structure.
  • Renovation of any building or structure.
  • Prefabricated Structures (Modular/Manufactured)
  • Mobile Homes
  • Demolition of a building or structure.
  • A change in the occupancy of a building that effects fire egress and exit requirements or other occupancy restrictions.
  • Fire Suppression/Detection Systems
  • The installation or alteration of any equipment regulated by this code.
  • Any change to a roof line, e.g. from a flat roof to a gabled or hip roof also normal shingle replacement.
  • Roof Shingle replacement (Asphalt/Metal/Flat)
  • Fence new or replacement
  • Miscellaneous for Residential (fireplaces, pools, decks)
  • Signs
  • Electrical systems
  • HVAC systems (heating, ventilating, air conditioning)
  • Commercial Property 

A building permit is NOT required for:

  • Siding;
  • Painting;
  • Replacement of doors and windows in existing openings.UNLESS, it would cause a change in occupancy requirements or affect required fire egress and exits etc.

   (B)   Continuation of violation. Any person having been previously convicted for a violation of this chapter, shall on conviction of a second or subsequent violation thereof be punished by a fine of not less than $300, but not more than $750, plus all court costs, in the discretion of the court. Each day a violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

QUESTION:           What are the ordinances covering Truck Bodies and Portable Cargo Containers in Zoned areas of the City of Fairfield?

ANSWER: § 154.130  PROHIBITION OF PLACEMENT IN CERTAIN AREAS. Placement, parking and/or storage of box truck bodies removed from the truck chassis and portable cargo containers removed from the trailer used to transport the cargo container within the city limits is hereby prohibited in R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1 and B-2 Districts.

(Ord. 10-1228-18, passed 12-28-2010)

§ 154.131  PROHIBITION OF PLACEMENT CLOSE TO CERTAIN STREETS AND ROADS.

   Placement parking and/or storage of box truck bodies removed from the truck chassis and portable cargo containers removed from the trailer used to transport the cargo container within the city limits is hereby prohibited at any location which is within 250 feet of the right-of-way of:

   (A)   Main Street;

   (B)   Delaware Street;

   (C)   Illinois Route 15; and

   (D)   U.S. Route 45.

(Ord. 10-1228-18, passed 12-28-2010)

§ 154.132  REMEDIES AVAILABLE.

   This subchapter shall be a basis for the city to obtain a court order in the County Circuit Court ordering removal of any unit placed within the city limits which violates this subchapter, and shall further be the basis for the owner and/or lessee of the offending unit being required to pay all attorney’s fees and court costs incurred by the city in enforcing this subchapter.

Q:           What type of projects require a building permit?

  • A:            New Construction of any building or other structure with a total construction cost in excess of $100.00.
  • Addition to any building or structure.
  • Renovation of any building or structure.
  • Prefabricated Structures (Modular/Manufactured)
  • Mobile Homes
  • Demolition of a building or structure.
  • A change in the occupancy of a building that effects fire egress and exit requirements or other occupancy restrictions.
  • Fire Suppression/Detection Systems
  • The installation or alteration of any equipment regulated by this code.
  • Any change to a roof line, e.g. from a flat roof to a gabled or hip roof also normal shingle replacement.
  • Roof Shingle replacement (Asphalt/Metal/Flat)
  • Fence new or replacement
  • Miscellaneous for Residential (fireplaces, pools, decks)
  • Signs
  • Electrical systems
  • HVAC systems (heating, ventilating, air conditioning)
  • Commercial Property 

A building permit is NOT required for:

  • Siding;
  • Painting;
  • Replacement of doors and windows in existing openings.UNLESS, it would cause a change in occupancy requirements or affect required fire egress and exits etc.