The Health & Housing Department is located in the Public Services Building at 213 South Illinois Street, which allows easy access because it is within walking distance from City Hall. Business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Department has one Director, one Manager, four secretaries, five full time inspectors and seven part time inspectors.
Any improvements to private property within the corporate limits of Belleville will require appropriate permits to be obtained through the City Building & Zoning Office. The fees for the permits vary as to the size and scope of the project. Applications for permits and information on building codes and zoning regulations can be obtained at the Building & Zoning Office. Last year the Housing Department issued 411 building permits at a construction value of almost $28,620,875.00 The City of Belleville has nearly 40% of rental units and therefore we are making a concerted effort to encourage single family homes. Our efforts are apparently working because last year nearly 56 new single family homes plus 0 single family attached condos were built in Belleville as opposed to only 29 in 1997.
As noted above, all construction in Belleville must conform to the adopted codes and ordinances and appropriate permits obtained before work commences. Residents are advised to contact the Inspection Office before any work of this nature is contracted, to determine if a permit is required and if the contractor is licensed or bonded by the City.
Residents moving into Belleville are advised that a “Certificate of Occupancy” is required to be obtained before the residence can legally be occupied. An inspection of the dwelling unit is conducted by the City to ensure that there are no substantial defects and violations to the “housing code and ordinance” that must be corrected before occupancy is permitted. Critical areas of inspection include the electrical and plumbing systems, exterior and interior structural elements, and other areas that are readily visible. During the year 2009, 2,624 occupancy permits were issued as opposed to 1,809 in 1995.
Complaints regarding derelict property are handled through the Housing Department with the assistance of the Belleville Police Department to enforce nuisance ordinances and regulations. The Housing Department is helping to clean up the City of Belleville. During 2009, 407 court action citations for nuisances were filed as opposed to 1 in 1995. Our property values are increasing as our citizens take more pride in their neighborhoods.
The Housing Department has been recycling our used police cars to provide uniformity in transportation for all housing inspectors. This results in better reliability for the inspectors and less use of personal cars. All housing cars are appropriately marked.
Goals for 2009-2010: One of the City of Belleville’s highest priorities is to improve the quality of neighborhoods through enforcement of maintenance standards as well as pursue the demolition of sub-standard, vacant structures. The City succeeded in the demolition of 9 structures, 3 condemned structures along with 7 city owned structures demolished in the year 2009.
Develop a manual for Building and Development which would entail specific information needed by builders and developers on the requirements for applying for permits, and inspection procedures. Review and modify Electrical Ordinance and Licensing requirements for installation of signs. Update and revise Housing Inspection brochures and material, increase public awareness of housing inspection program, evaluate and review housing inspection procedures and requirements.