APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Ensure Faster Approval and Fewer Delays! Incomplete applications are the #1 cause of delays. Double check that your application is complete, floor plans meet formatting & content requirements below, and attachments have been included if applicable.

Floor Plan Formatting Requirements
• Plans must be computer generated. No cell phone photos. 
• Submit plans as a scanned PDF. Download a PDF document scanner on your phone if you don’t have a scanner.
• Plans shall be clear, legible, and drawn to scale.
• Photos of the storefront or interior are not accepted as floor plans.
• EXCEPTION: The City will accept hand-drawn plans if they meet all formatting and content criteria. 
Prepare your plan on grid paper to ensure straight and accurate lines, show the scale, be very neat and legible, and include all the required items.

Floor Plan Content Requirements
Use this checklist before uploading your plan to ensure it will be processed. The following information is REQUIRED on the plans:
• Arrow showing North.
• All walls (interior and exterior).
• All room dimensions and wall lengths in feet and inches.
• All doors with swing direction (interior and exterior).
• All restrooms and Mechanical spaces.
• All floors being occupied, including basements.
• Mezzanines.
• All room names for the NEW proposed use.
• A KEY PLAN if the space is in a multi-tenant building.
• Parking lot with number of available spaces.
• Include when applicable:
o Locations of seating for waiting, food or drink consumption, spectator seating, gathering spaces, etc. Provide number of seats to be available.
o Locations of gaming and/or amusement machines, tables, equipment.
o Location of property lines, outbuildings, exterior patios, fences, etc.


✅ Need assistance with your floor plans? Search the web for "drafting services near me". The City does not provide drafting services.

Final Self Check Before You Submit
Your application must meet all of the following:
• All floors and levels are represented on the plans.
• Plans are legible, scaled, and uploaded as PDFs.
• All required attachments are included.
• No missing pages or partial drawings.

Sample Floorplans:

If you need help understanding the Floorplan drawing process, this video may be helpful.

 Click on either sample below to view full screen.

Apply HERE

What can I expect now that I have applied?

Your application will be processed in the order it was received and assigned to an Inspector. The Inspector will contact you by phone or email promptly to discuss. If your floor plans don’t meet formatting or content requirements, your application will not be moved to the next step.

Depending on the complexity of your change in use, a site inspection may or may not be required, a code review will be performed, and a zoning verification will be prepared.

You’ll receive a Report of Findings anywhere from 3-10 days depending on the complexity and findings from a site inspection. If repairs are required to meet minimum building standards, those are relayed in the Report and would need to be repaired. No two buildings or projects are the same. Your Inspector will explain the requirements along the way.

• Access the local City Codes HERE.

   

• Free access to current Building Codes are HERE. We currently adopt the 2018 codes!

   

• When you're ready to make decisions on signage for your new business, you can apply for a Sign permit HERE.

   

• Our City Clerk’s webpage outlines the activities & sales that require a CITY CLERK LICENSE or PERMIT. That page is HERE.

Q: What’s the timeline from application to completion?
A: Timelines vary based on receipt of complete application, project scale, and required approvals. Smaller projects with straightforward compliance may take 3-5 days. More complex plans needing public hearings and multi department reviews can take several months.

Q: Who decides if I need a Special Use Permit or rezoning?
A: The Planning Division will review your proposed use and current zoning. They’ll advise whether it qualifies as “by right,” or needs a Special Use Permit, variance, or rezoning.  

Q: Do I need a contractor?
A: Building owners can self-perform some general work. All trade work (HVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire protection etc.) must be completed by contractors registered with the City of Bloomington.
 
Q: When do I need an Architect, Engineer, or Design Professional?
A: Some projects require plans that must be signed and sealed by an Illinois licensed architect or engineer. This isn’t a City rule—it’s a State requirement. You’ll need an Architect, Engineer, or Design Professional if your project involves things like:
• Structural changes.
• Major renovations.
• New construction.
• Anything that affects exits, emergency paths, or other life safety features.
If the plans you submit don’t provide enough detail, or if the project is more complex, the City may require you to have a design professional prepare or update the documents. 

Q: Can the City help me design my project or help me with strategic business planning?
A: The City Building Official and Inspectors do not design projects for citizens or consult on business strategies. Doing so represents a severe conflict of interest and violates standard municipal ethics regulations. The citizen remains entirely responsible for hiring external professionals to draft & submit actual project plans and develop space-use options.