The Glenbrook Countryside Property Owners’ Association (GCPOA) has a Covenants, Building & Zoning Compliance Committee (CBZCC), which oversees the adherence to neighborhood covenants, the safety of new and remodeling construction, and provides information to assist the building process. The Glenbrook Countryside Property Owners’ Association (GCPOA) works closely with the Cook County Building and Zoning Departments through the Covenants, Building, and Zoning Compliance Committee.
The first step toward building in Glenbrook Countryside is to show that the proposed new or remodeling construction plans comply with Glenbrook Countryside covenants. Once compliance is determined, a Compliance Notification Letter will be issued, which will be included in the building permit application submitted to Cook County.
NOTE: Please submit only FULL and COMPLETE Permit Ready Drawing Sets.
Application Process:
- Download and complete the Construction Review Application Form. E-mail the application, along with complete construction documents, to the CBZCC at: gbcountrysideconstruction@gmail.com. To ensure your email is received and not deleted as ‘spam’ you must put the Glenbrook Countryside property address in the ‘Subject Line’.
- Submit payment for the Application Fee as noted for each project type and send by Zelle gbcountrysidepoa@gmail.com or via check (make checks out to GCPOA and mail to Glenbrook Countryside POA, P.O. Box 342, Northbrook, IL 60065-0342).
- Submit a PDF of the Plat of Survey of recent date showing the covenant restriction for front yard setback, signed and sealed by an Illinois Licensed Land Surveyor.
- Submit all documents required as noted for the Project Type
- The CBZCC meets on the last Monday of every month. If all required items are received on or prior to the fifteenth (15th) of the month, the proposed construction application will be reviewed at the following CBZCC meeting.
- If found in compliance with Glenbrook Countryside covenants and restrictions, after review by the Compliance Committee, Glenbrook Countryside Property Owners’ Association (GCPOA) will provide a Compliance Notification Letter and your plans will be signed and sealed by GCPOA. GCPOA will retain one complete set of plans for their files.
- Submit the Compliance Notification Letter along with the application to the Cook County Building & Zoning Departments and Northfield Township. Note: Cook County will not issue a building permit without this letter.
Submittal Requirements by Project
New Construction / Remodeling
This category of work includes new construction, demolition, building additions, major renovations, and attached garages, that may impact FAR limits, covenanted yard setbacks and height restrictions, requiring a permit through Cook County and Northfield Township.
Required submittals:
- Submit One PDF of the complete permit-ready Architectural set signed and sealed by an Illinois Licensed Architect of Structural Engineer. Please include the following information needed for our review:
- Indicate and label all yard setbacks (front, sides and rear)
- Dimension actual setbacks of proposed structure(s) from each corner to the nearest lot line. Dimensions must match those shown on the Civil Engineering set
- Provide the proposed Floor Area Ratio (FAR) (.25 max.)
- Provide the square footage of the Garage. (Garage size limits).
- Indicate ceiling height on all attic or other open areas. Any areas with ceilings at or above 7′ 6″ must be shown on a floor plan, the floor area indicated on the plan, and the square footage included in the FAR calculation.
- Indicate building height above average grade elevation at the front property line (see definition.)
- Submit One PDF of complete permit-ready Civil Engineering set signed and sealed by an Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer. Please include the following information needed for our review:
- Indicate and label all setbacks (front, sides and rear).
- Dimension actual setbacks of proposed structure(s) from each corner to the nearest lot line. Dimensions must match those shown on the Architectural set.
- Submit the Application Fee. The Application fee is one hundred dollars ($100) for the first one thousand square feet (or less) of construction. For each additional one hundred square feet of construction exceeding one thousand square feet, the cost is ten dollars ($10) per one hundred square feet (or less) of construction.
- In the event that an application is made for demolition only, a second fee will be due when new construction plans are submitted for review.
Accessory Structures
This category of work includes porches, sheds, detached garages, greenhouses, gazebos, and any other accessory buildings or structures that require a permit through Cook County and Northfield Township with the exception of fences and swimming pools.
Required submittals:
- Submit a complete permit-ready copy of the same permit materials that you are submitting to Cook County for review, including all forms, documents, and signed and sealed architectural and/or engineering plans as required by Cook County. Cook County Building and Zoning Building Permit Requirements for various accessory structures can be found at Building and Zoning Building Permit Requirements (cookcountyil.gov)
- Submit the Application Fee. The Application fee for accessory structures is Ten dollars ($10) for the first one hundred square feet or less, or Twenty-Five dollars ($25) for construction projects greater than one hundred square feet.
Fence Construction
This category of work includes all fences that require a Fencing Permit through Cook County.
Required Submittals:
- Show the location of the proposed fencing on the Plat of Survey.
- Submit a complete copy of the fencing contractor’s proposal, including a description and dimensioned plan of the proposed fencing.
- Submit a complete copy of all other documents being submitted to Cook County. Cook County Building and Zoning Building Permit Requirements for Fence Permits can be found at Building and Zoning Building Permit Requirements (cookcountyil.gov)
- Submit the Application Fee. The Application Fee is Fifty dollars ($50.00.)
Swimming Pools
This category of work includes all above-ground and in-ground pools that require a Swimming Pool Permit through Cook County.
Required Submittals:
- Show the location of the pool, pool deck, above-ground pool equipment, proposed fencing on the Plat of Survey.
- Submit a complete copy of the pool contractor’s proposal, including a description and dimensioned plan of the pool, equipment, and any proposed fencing. (For above-ground pools)
- Submit a complete copy of the construction documents, including a site plan showing the dimensioned location of the pool, pool equipment, and any proposed fencing. (For in-ground pools)
- Submit a complete copy of all other documents being submitted to Cook County. This includes material cut sheets describing items such as slides and other play equipment to be installed with the pool. Cook County Building and Zoning Building Permit Requirements for swimming pools can be found at Building and Zoning Building Permit Requirements (cookcountyil.gov)
- Submit the Application Fee. The Application fee is Fifty dollars ($50.00.)
Other Construction Projects
This category includes permitted construction projects such as interior remodeling, roof replacement, and driveway paving. These projects do not alter the existing FAR, yard setbacks or garage size, thus they are outside our scope of review.
Required Submittals:
- Upon receiving the completed Construction Review Application Form the CBZCC will issue a letter of compliance, without the necessity of a Committee Board review or a fee. Receiving a permit without the Compliance Notification Letter will result in legal action to cease construction, and covenant or building violations will need to be corrected and may result in fines.
