Official Website: https://www.villageofparkforest.com/354/About-Park-Forest
Park Forest City Hall Phone Number: 708-748-1112
The Village of Park Forest began in 1948 as a plan to provide housing for GIs returning from World War II as the first post-war planned community. Park Forest is located approximately 30 minutes south of Chicago. Park Forest has a population of about 22,000 and is part of both Cook and Will Counties. It is bordered by Chicago Heights, Matteson, Olympia Fields, Richton Park and University Park. Of the nearly 9,600 housing units in the village, about 5,700 are single-family homes. Another 3,880 are multi-family units, of which almost 2,000 are cooperatives. Park Forest is comprised of residents from all backgrounds and celebrates the rich diversity of the community. With more than 19 places of worship and a nearly 50-year commitment to fair housing, all ages, races, and religious groups call Park Forest home.
Inspection Information:
Application for Change of Occupancy Inspection –Rental Property
• Copy of signed and dated lease
• $100 inspection fee ($50 for multi-family units)
• Property must be vacant at time of inspection (no personal belongings)
• As of March 1, 2008, all landlords must be registered through the Park Forest Police Department under the regulations of the Village of Park Forest’s Crime Free Housing Ordinance. Please contact the Police Department for further information 708-748-4700
All properties must be ready for inspection at the time of application, and all utilities must be turned on. Items to be checked during the interior inspection include, but are not limited to:
• Carbon monoxide detector (within 15 feet of every sleeping area) as of January 1, 2007
• Smoke detectors operational – one on every level of the dwelling, one in each sleeping area, and one in the common hallway nearest the sleeping area
• Windows open and close properly and are screened; no cracked or broken glass
•All sinks, tubs, faucets, handles and drain pipes are leak-free
• All gas supply lines have shut-off valve
• Furnace and water heaters function properly
• Certification of heating appliance required (contractor must be licensed by the Village of Park Forest)
• Chimney flue cleaned and checked if a fireplace is present
• Electrical service panel boxes (fuse or breaker) are correctly identified
• Electrical service upgrade to 100 amp service required (MCO 18-290 adopted January 1, 2006)
• Electrical certification may be required
• No electrical wires are exposed
• GFI outlets are required within 6 feet of every water source and all exterior outlets
• Proper sump pump connections and discharge
Items to be checked during the exterior inspection include, but are not limited to:
• No chipped, peeling, or flaking paint
• Siding or brick mortar tuck pointing is not damaged
• Chimney is capped
• Property is free of debris, yard waste, branches
• Driveways and walkways are not deteriorated
• Grass and weeds are not more than eight inches in height
• Fences need to be secure and structurally sound
If items are found and repairs need to be made, please obtain the proper Building Permits prior to performing the work. Failure to obtain permits could delay the sale of Transfer Stamps when a property is being sold. If, during the course of the inspection, it is determined that work was done on the home that required a building permit but the permit was not applied for, view additional information. A private professional inspection by an inspector of your choice may be obtained, but will not be accepted in lieu of the Village inspection.
Before the fire alarm system is accepted, a final inspection shall be completed and the system installer must be present to conduct the performance test of the system. A contractor’s Certificate of Completion shall be provided to the Fire Department prior to the Fire Department witnessing a performance test of the system (Per NFPA 72). Inspections may be scheduled by calling 708-748-5605 at least 48 hours in advance. When inspections are scheduled, all appropriate installers must be present. If an inspection / test fails, the Fire Department will attempt to accommodate the fire alarm systems installer’s request by scheduling a re-test the next business day. Any re-inspection/re-test will result in a fee of $50.
Crime Free Information:
Park Forest adopted its Crime Free Housing Ordinance in September 2007. All landlords are required to add the Crime Free Lease Addendum to each of their rental contracts with the intention of eliminating criminal behavior.
The prices outlined on the Crime Free Housing Application are as following:
One Property: $125
Two Properties: $230 ($115 per unit)
Three Properties: $315 ($105 per unit)
Four - Ten Properties: $95 per unit
Eleven or More: $6.00 per unit + $950
Park Forest Police Department
200 Lakewood Blvd.
Park Forest, IL 60466
Phone: 708-748-4701
Fax: 708-748-7044