ez APP - Online Development Applications

The City's convenient 24/7 online development applications system is now available! Click here to start using ez APP. For help using the online application system, please reference the handouts available below or call the Planning & Economic Development Division at (815) 356-3605 for assistance.

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Development Applications For Residents

  • Simplified Residential Variation
    The Simplified Residential Variation can be applied for any existing single-family residence owner for lot area, lot width, or setback variations.
  • Administrative Variation
    The Administrative Variation can be applied if one of the standards of approval can be met. Please check Article 9 of the Unified Development Ordinance or the application for the standards of approval. 
  • Limited Use
    A limited use permit may be required for your proposed use of your property. Please check Article 2 of the Unified Development Ordinance to see if a permit is required. 
  • General Development Application
    The general development application should be used for the following: Final Planned Unit Development Amendment, Special Use Permit, Rezoning, and Subdivision. There are three types of subdivisions: administrative, minor, and major. Approval criteria for each type is located in Article 5 of the Unified Development Ordinance. Administrative Subdivisions are permitted when there is a minor reconfiguration of the land and no variations are needed. Minor Subdivisions are allowed to create up to 10 lots and require no roadway construction. The Major Subdivision process is required for all other subdivisions.
  • Right-of-Way Vacation 
    A right-of-way vacation means the “public interest” in a City right-of-way is removed or vacated, and it is relinquished to abutting property. The action is taken by City Council through an Ordinance, if it is determined that the right-of-way “is not required for transportation or public purposes” and the vacation is determined to be “beneficial to the public”. 

Development Applications For Businesses

The general development application should be used for the following: 

  • Comprehensive Plan Amendment
  • Conceptual Planned Unit Development
  • Preliminary Planned Unit Development
  • Final Planned Unit Development 
  • Final Planned Unit Development Amendment
  • Preliminary Plat of Subdivision 
  • Final Plat of Subdivision 
  • Special Use Permit 
  • Rezoning, Variation, Subdivision, and Other 

The general development application should be used for the following: Final Planned Unit Development Amendment, Special Use Permit, Rezoning, and Subdivision. There are three types of subdivisions: administrative, minor, and major. Approval criteria for each type is located in Article 5 of the Unified Development Ordinance. Administrative Subdivisions are permitted when there is a minor reconfiguration of the land and no variations are needed. Minor Subdivisions are allowed to create up to 10 lots and require no roadway construction. The Major Subdivision process is required for all other subdivisions.

  • Administrative Variation
    The Administrative Variation can be applied if one of the standards of approval can be met. Please check Article 9 of the Unified Development Ordinance or the application for the standards of approval. 
  • Temporary Use Permit
    When hosting any type of event, not customarily associated with your principal use, a Temporary Use Permit is required. Examples include: outdoor sales, holiday greenery sales, or other special promotions.