Building & Inspectional Services

The Department of Buildings and Inspectional Services is committed to providing efficient, helpful, fair, and consistent service to the public. We will be accountable and responsible for our duty to promote public health, safety, convenience, and general welfare of the inhabitants of the City of Harvey. We are dedicated to providing the very best in convenient and easily accessible information and services, and accurate information. The Department of Buildings and Inspectional Services is committed to working as a team, uniting with other city departments to accomplish our goal of protecting and serving the citizens of the City of Harvey.

The department can be reached at 708-210-5300 or 708-210-5323.

Doing Business With Harvey

The City of Harvey (COH) is governed by a progressive administration dedicated to restoring pride in Harvey. The city seeks to do business with vendors across the state and country. The city purchases a variety of goods and services from suppliers that are both technically and financially responsible.

Below are the requirements to inform vendors of the procedures that must be followed to conduct business with the City of Harvey. It includes bidding requirements, bid opening and award process, how to become a vendor and vendor payments. These policies apply to internal operations and are applicable to all federal, state and local grant agreements. If the procurement requirements of any grant are more stringent than the existing city policy, the COH will adhere to the grant policy.

How The City Buys

For Projects Equal to or Greater than $10,000

The formal process — contracts with a value greater than $10,000 — are subject to free and open competitive sealed bidding, or competitive negotiation after public advertisement. This means that any financially responsible company may bid on a contract.

Bidders Database

The bidders database is made up classes of goods and services. This is the database consisting of firms that are directly solicited by the City for goods and services. To be placed in the bidders database, it is necessary to complete the Doing Business with the City of Harvey paperwork. Your information will be added to the database and when a solicitation is distributed, firms in the database will be notified.

Bidding Process

Request for Proposals (RFP) are mailed to selected firms. Bid packets will contain all the specifications, general instructions and any terms and conditions that apply to that commodity or service. Be careful to comply with all instructions and terms to avoid rejection of the bid.

Any questions or concerns regarding the bid should be addressed to the name and phone number that appear on the RFP prior to any bid opening. Complete the RFP according to the instructions, and deliver it to the City Clerk’s Office or location listed on the RFP prior to closing date and time. Late bids will not be considered. In addition, bidders may be required to post a 5% bid bond and/or a 100% performance bond if selected as the successful bidder.

Sealed Bid Opening and Award

Sealed bids received prior to the closing date and hour are secured by the City Clerk until they are to be opened. Upon opening, bids are publicly read. All bidders are welcome to attend the bid opening. The opening date and time corresponds to the closing date and time advertised on the RFP.

Note: Award results are not made public at that time the bid is opened. The bids are tabulated and analyzed to determine the lowest responsible bidder before the award can be made. Once the award is made, the purchase order or notice of award is prepared and sent to the successful bidder. Bid result information is available by enclosing a stamped, self-addressed envelope with the bid.

For projects less than $10,000

The informal process — purchase orders for goods and services valued at less than $10,000 — are solicited by mail or faxed bid quotations without public advertisement. Emergency contracts that are awarded to meet departmental or City emergency needs, and do not exceed $20,000, are solicited by telephone without public advertisement.

Becoming A Supplier

All suppliers interested in conducting business with the City of Harvey should be prepared to have the following information on file:

An outline of your core capabilities or services that will benefit the City of Harvey.
A government issued tax identification number or social security number.
An insurance and/or bond certificate
Any professional certifications for your business. Note: Self-certifications are not permitted.

Invoice Payment

Invoice payment occurs upon completion of the service or delivery of the goods, 30 days after the date of the invoice and after approval for payment via City of Harvey City Council meeting. The invoice should have the following information:

“Make payable to”
Date
Invoice number
Purchase order number
Services rendered or quantity goods delivered
Total amount due

Please note that if any of the above information is incomplete or missing, payment will be delayed. Checks for invoice payment are mailed on the Friday following the City Council meeting.

For questions regarding the above guidelines, please contact the accounts payable department at 708-210-5337.

Thank you for your interest in Doing Business with Harvey!”

City of Harvey Health Inspections

Owners of all commercial retail food establishments, day cares, and food carts and trucks within The City of Harvey.

We are compliant with all Food and Drug Administration standards. As we move forward with this process all establishments within the municipality will be required to receive bi-annual health inspections. All health inspections will take place during business hours. As we move forward with this process, we want to provide the necessary information that your establishment will need.

All establishments will be required to meet current Food and Drug Administration standards. No establishments will be allowed to be grandfathered in for all standards.

All establishments that are a Category 1 or Category 2 will always be required to have a certified food safety personnel on site at all times.

All establishments that are Category 1 will be required to complete Allergen training.

All establishments that do not meet and pass the necessary standards will be required to receive a follow up inspection.

Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

CURRENT ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Inviting Bids for Fire Hydrant Replacement Project

PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Gateway and Streetscape Improvement Project – RFQ
Harvey Traffic Calming Project – Bid Documents
Harvey Traffic Calming Project – Response to Bidder Questions
Invitation for Bids
Inviting Bids for Asbestos Testing
Inviting Bids for Demolition and Removal – CDBG Project 10-019
Inviting Bids for Demolition – Illinois and Federal Provisions – 2013
RFQ – Weatherization Contractor Project #13-143008
RFP – Asbestos Testing Services – CDBG #1305-007
Inviting Bids for Abatement/Demolition – Residential Properties – CDBG #10-019
Notice to Bidders
Inviting Bids for Rose Apartments Abatement/Demolition – CDBG #1305-007
Inviting Bids for Abatement/Demolition of two commercial units – CDBG #1305-007 Click here for CDBG Asbestos Reports

Permit Form and License Applications

Business

Business License

2023-2024 Application

Business License and Public Safety Registration Renewals

Liquor License Forms

Liquor Excise Tax

Business License Fees

Contractor License Registration

Daycare Business License Application

Residential

Planning A Small Project – Permit Form

Point of Sale Permit Application

Special Events

Special Events Application

Homeowners Building Permit

WHEN DOES A HOMEOWNER NEED A BUILDING PERMIT?

First, check with Planning, Building & Inspectional Services to make sure a permit is required. Failure to obtain a building permit could result in a fine.

If a contractor is used by the owner to perform any work, the contractor must be registered in the City of Harvey before starting any work.

A permit is needed on certain types of home improvements, whether performed by the homeowner or a contractor.

It is the responsibility of the homeowner to be sure that a building permit is obtained prior to the start of work. Plan ahead, allow 7 to 10 days to process the permit.

THE MOST COMMON TYPES OF HOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT REQUIRE PERMITS, WHETHER THE WORK IS PERFORMED BY THE HOMEOWNER OR A CONTRACTOR:

New residences
Plumbing
Garages and sheds
Siding
Fireplaces
Decks
Central Air Conditioning/ Furnaces
Roofs
All work requiring the pouring of concrete
Electrical Service changes
Swimming pools (permanent installation)
Additions
Fences, porches, patios, and driveways.

*Before beginning a project not listed above, it is still important to check with Inspectional Services just to make sure if a permit is or is not required.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO OBTAIN A PERMIT

A copy of your Plat of Survey (normally obtained at your closing)
Application forms filled out
Pertinent drawings, blueprints

WHY ARE PERMITS REQUIRED?

So that Inspectional Services may inspect the job for safety, zoning compliance, sound construction, and building code compliance. Building codes and building permits help protect the health, safety, and general welfare of residents of the community. Likewise, by requiring that the homeowner use a City-registered contractor, the City is helping to insure that the work is being done properly and that the homeowner is being protected.

The Department of Planning, Building and Inspectional Services is located at the City Hall, 15320 Broadway. The phone number is 708-210-5300. We are open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Transfer Stamps

It is common for communities throughout Illinois to require homeowners to obtain a real estate transfer stamp before they can complete the sale of their property. When a transfer stamp is required by the city, as it is in the City of Harvey, title companies will not complete the process until a transfer stamp is provided the day of the sale.

How does a homeowner obtain a transfer stamp when selling their property?
Like many other communities, the City of Harvey has specific requirements in order for homeowners to obtain a transfer stamp for the sale of their property.

Property owner must schedule and pay for a point-of-sale inspection report.
Property owner must pay any outstanding bills, such as water and sewer, as well as housing ordinance fines, police citations, etc., before the transfer stamp will be issued.
Provide all required documents, as outlined in the Transfer Stamp Requirements form below.
Provide payment for the transfer stamp (costs $5.00 per $1,000.00 of the taxable consideration. This cost is split between the Buyer ($2.50 per $1,000.00) and Seller ($2.50 per $1,000.00). The Buyer is also responsible for paying a $60.00 administrative fee.
The Transfer Stamp can also be purchased in full ($5.00 per $1,000.00) by the Buyer or Seller.

The homeowner can ensure their property sale will close, as scheduled, if the request for a transfer stamp is done in advance.

Contact Harvey City Hall at 708-210-5300 to begin the process. Be sure to provide enough time to prepare documents for the purchase of the transfer stamp.
The paperwork must be filled out corrected and submitted to the Department of Building and Inspectional Services.
The Department will schedule a final water meter reading.
The entire process will be completed within a week.

For questions regarding how to obtain a transfer stamp, contact the City of Harvey’s Building and Inspectional Services Department – 708-210-5300 or 708-210-5323.

REQUIREMENTS

The City of Harvey requires homeowners to obtain a real estate transfer stamp before they can complete the sale of their property. Title companies will not complete the process until a transfer stamp is provided on the day of the sale. There are specific requirements for obtaining a transfer stamp for the sale of their property.

Transfer Stamp Requirements package

Transfer Stamp Requirements package (Exempt)

Point-Of-Sale Inspection form

ProChamps

The City of Harvey has partnered with prochamps.com to administer its Rental Registration & Licensing, Vacant property registration and Foreclosure property registration programs.

Rental Properties

In order to comply with the rental registration and licensing ordinances, all owners of rental units must register/license all unit(s) online via prochamps.com and pay a registration and inspection fee per unit.

https://community.prochamps.com/IL/cook/harvey-city/rental

The Crime Free Lease Addendum is required for all residential rental properties.

Vacant Properties

In order to comply with the vacant property registration ordinance, all property owners of vacant properties must register online via prochamps.com and pay a registration fee.

https://community.prochamps.com/IL/cook/harvey-city/vacant

Foreclosures

In order to comply with the foreclosure property registration ordinance, all mortgagees must register online via prochamps.com and pay a registration fee.

https://community.prochamps.com/IL/cook/harvey-city/foreclosure

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