Once an applicant has approached the Planning and Transportation Division regarding a project that would need development or zoning  approval, the applicant may apply for a Planning Project through the Village's eTRAKiT Portal. 

Click here for instructions on how to use the eTRAKiT portal (PDF). All communication between the applicant and staff will occur through eTRAKiT. Please check the portal regularly for updates or additional information that may be required.

If you have any questions on how to submit your Planning Project or require assistance, please call 847-781-2660 or email planning@vohe.org. 

The Zoning Code regulates the type, size, setbacks and location of structures that can be built on any property as well as different types of business and land uses permitted in each zoning district. 

To review zoning regulations for your property, please visit the Municipal Code Online, Chapter 9: Zoning Code.

Each year, the Village is required to publish an official Zoning Map.  To view the current zoning map as well as historical zoning maps, please click here. To search for zoning district by address, please visit our Public GIS Portal. 

If you have additional questions regarding zoning requirements for your property, please contact the Planning & Transportation Division.

Planning, Building and Zoning Committee

The Planning, Building and Zoning Committee of the Village Board is a standing committee that directs staff to review and make changes to the zoning, building and subdivision code, reviews minor site plan amendment requests, economic development reviews and requests and conducts Courtesy Reviews. The purpose of this committee is to recommend policy decisions to the Village Board as a whole. The Planning, Building and Zoning Committee meets on the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Village Hall Council Chambers, unless otherwise noted.

Courtesy Review

A courtesy review is an informal review by the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee intended to provide an applicant feedback and comments prior to a formal application for development. This meeting is intended to provide a general overview of the proposed project where committee members may ask questions or make comments on proposals.

Please click here for further information regarding the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee, including a list of upcoming meetings.

Planning and Zoning Commission

The Planning and Zoning Commission is a group of 11 appointed residents that conduct reviews of all projects that concern new development, modifications to existing development, text and zoning map amendments, special uses, variations, and conducts all public hearings. Meetings are scheduled every first and third Wednesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the Village Hall Council Chambers, unless otherwise noted.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is a recommending body and their recommendation will be presented to the Village Board who shall have the ultimate vote to approve or deny a request.

Please click here for further information regarding the Planning and Zoning Commission, including a list of upcoming meetings.

Residents may request variations to the Zoning Code if their project or proposal does not meet the standards listed in the Zoning Code. A residential variation request may include, but is not limited to: size of structures, setback reductions, distance reductions, number of accessory structures located on a property, and height allowances.

Only in specific instances where the application of the strict letter of the regulations of the Zoning Code create practical difficulties or particular hardships for the owner, lessee, or occupant of land, buildings, or other structures, shall a zoning variance be considered. The Standards for Variations are found in the Zoning Code, Section 9-1-15.

All residential variation requests require a public hearing conducted by the Planning and Zoning Commission and must be authorized by ordinance, approved by the Village Board.

Residential Variation Process

1. Pre-Application Meeting: All applicants are required to meet with Village staff to talk through their proposal and talk through the general requirements of the Variation Process
2. Application:Applicants are required to digitally submit all application materials on the Village's eTRAKiT portal. Village Staff will review submitted materials and reach out to the applicant if additional materials must be submitted. A filing fee will be assigned upon the approval of the intake review. 
3. Staff Review:Village Staff will review the submitted application and may issue review comments to the applicant via eTRAKiT. Once revisions have been submitted and all review comments have been satisfied,  Village Staff will reach out to the applicant to schedule a Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting date. Due to legal notification requirements (newspaper notice and mailed letter notices), all meetings may be scheduled 6-8 weeks in advanced.
4. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting:The Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing of the application and forward a formal recommendation to the Village Board.
5. Village Board Meeting and Action: The Village Board will have the final vote regarding your request. If the request is approved, an ordinance will be signed at the meeting. The Village Board may include conditions as part of the approval of the request. Following approval, the petitioner may begin to apply for any building permits required.

A Special Use is the use of land, buildings, or structures which require additional review by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Village Board. In each case, careful consideration of the impact of the Special Use on neighboring land must be given, and the appropriateness of the special use location must be determined.

Special Uses are defined in our Zoning Code. Each Zoning District defines what can be considered as a Special Use in that district. Special Uses may only be authorized if the Planning and Zoning Commission and Village Board finds that the use complies with the standards for Special Uses, found in the Zoning Code, Section 9-1-18.

All Special Use requests are granted specifically to the business operator and applicant. In the event that the business operator or the land owner changes, a new special use application must be applied for.

Special Use Process

1. Pre-Application Meeting: All applicants are required to meet with Village staff to talk through their business proposal, and determine the type of special use requested, as well as talk through the general requirements of the Special Use Process.
2. Application:Applicants are required to digitally submit all application materials on the Village's eTRAKiT portal. Village Staff will review submitted materials and reach out to the applicant if additional materials must be submitted. A filing fee will be assigned upon the approval of the intake review. 
3. Staff Review:Village Staff will review the submitted application and may issue review comments to the applicant via eTRAKiT. Once revisions have been submitted and all review comments have been satisfied,  Village Staff will reach out to the applicant to schedule a Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting date. Due to legal notification requirements (newspaper notice and mailed letter notices), all meetings may be scheduled 6-8 weeks in advanced.
4. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting: The Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing of the application. The Planning and Zoning Commission will make a formal recommendation to the Village Board.
5. Village Board Meeting and Action: The Village Board will have the final vote regarding your request. If the request is approved, an ordinance will be signed at the meeting. The Village Board may include conditions as part of the approval of the request. Following approval, the business owner may begin to apply for any building permits or business licenses required.

A Master Sign Plan may be sought in lieu of Sign Variations for properties. Master Sign Plans are designed with the consideration of the unique characteristic of specific uses, properties, or developments.  In each case, careful consideration of the impact of the Master Sign Plan in relation to the number, location, type and placement of signs on the property, sign materials, signage consistent with the site plan and architecture of the property as well as how well the proposal results in architecture appropriate for the property and surrounding areas is made. 

Master Sign Plans are defined in our Zoning Code. Master Sign Plans may only be authorized if the Planning and Zoning Commission and Village Board finds that the use complies with the standards for a Master Sign Plan, found in the Zoning Code, Section 9-3-8-M-13.

Master Sign Plan Process

1. Pre-Application Meeting: All applicants are required to meet with Village staff to talk through their sign proposal, and determine the number, types and location of signs that are being requested. Staff will go through the general requirements of the Master Sign Plan Process.
2. Application:Applicants are required to digitally submit all application materials on the Village's eTRAKiT portal. Village Staff will review submitted materials and reach out to the applicant if additional materials must be submitted. A filing fee will be assigned upon the approval of the intake review. 
3. Staff Review:Village Staff will review the submitted application and may issue review comments to the applicant via eTRAKiT. Once revisions have been submitted and all review comments have been satisfied,  Village Staff will reach out to the applicant to schedule a Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting date. Due to legal notification requirements (newspaper notice and mailed letter notices), all meetings may be scheduled 6-8 weeks in advanced.
4. Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting: The Planning and Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing of the application. The Planning and Zoning Commission will make a formal recommendation to the Village Board.
5. Village Board Meeting and Action: The Village Board will have the final vote regarding your request. If the request is approved, an ordinance will be signed at the meeting. The Village Board may include conditions as part of the approval of the request. Following approval, the applicant may apply for the appropriate building permits. 

The Village requires all new development, redevelopment, and any expansion or modifications to existing structures to undergo a Site Plan Review Process. Site Plan Review consists of (but is not limited to) review of the site plan layout, engineering plans, building design, landscaping, lighting, parking, and traffic circulation. The proposed site plan will be reviewed relative to the Zoning and Subdivision Code requirements as well as the potential effects on the surrounding properties and road network. Once all the issues identified by Village Staff have been resolved, the project can be reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Village Board. 

A meeting should be scheduled with the Planning & Transportation Division staff early in the planning stages of a new commercial development, modification to an existing property, or redevelopment to discuss the project and obtain more information about the site plan review process.

All applications must be made digitally on the Village's eTRAKiT Portal. 

Development Review, Codes & Fees Reference Guide

Development Standards Manual

The 2010 Development Requirements and Standards Manual Available for view and download.  The following links have been updated with the 2010 version.

The Engineering Division has created the following manual and detail drawings for construction activities in the Village to supplement the Village Code, Chapter 10 Subdivision. If you have any questions on the development standards manual, please contact the Engineering Division at 847.252.5800.

Development Requirements and Standards Manual (Including Detail Drawings) (pdf)

Village Planter Box Detail Drawing (pdf)

Engineering Detail Drawings (AutoCAD dwg files zipped)

To View Planning and Development Applications, please visit the Applications Page. 

 All applications must be submitted digitally on the Village's eTRAKiT Portal. 

• Planning & Zoning Fee Schedule
• Planning & Zoning Fee Resolution
• Engineering Plan Review Fees Resolution
• Plans & Studies
• Zoning Map
• Roselle Road Business District Revitalization Concepts (Includes Development Standards)
• Roselle Road Business District Development Standards
• Planning & Zoning Notification Procedure
• Planning & Zoning Commission Policy (Non-Compliance) 
• Click here to submit an electronic Freedom of Information request.
• Municipal Code Online
• The most commonly referenced code sections include:
  • Zoning Code – Chapter 9
  • Subdivision Code – Chapter 10
  • Residential Zoning Districts – Article 9-5
  • Commercial Zoning Districts – Article 9-8
  • Sign Regulations – Section 9-3-8
  • Parking – Sections 9-3-2 & 10-5-2
  • Fences – Section 9-3-3
  • Accessory Structures (decks, pools, sheds, patios, etc.) – Section  9-3-6
  • Landscaping & Tree Preservation – Article 10-4
  • Subdivision & Site Plan Submittal Requirements – Article 10-6