Before You Build in Tinley Park, IL: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Tinley Park limits residential fence height to 4 feet in front yards and 6 feet in side and rear yards. Corner lots have additional sight-triangle restrictions. Taller fences require zoning variance approval from Community Development.

Tinley Park does not require neighbor consent for fence installation but strongly recommends a current property survey to confirm boundaries. Illinois common law governs shared fences, and the village enforces setbacks and finished-side rules.

Tinley Park requires all swimming pools 24 inches or deeper to be enclosed by a fence at least 4 feet tall with self-closing, self-latching gates. The barrier must meet Illinois Department of Public Health and village building code requirements.

Tinley Park requires building permits for retaining walls over 4 feet in height and for any wall supporting a surcharge or structure. Engineered plans are required for taller walls. Drainage cannot be directed onto neighboring properties.

Tinley Park requires a building permit for most new fences and fence replacements. Applications are submitted to Community Development with a site plan, property survey, and fence specifications. Permit fees vary by fence length and type.

Tinley Park requires all swimming pools capable of containing 24 inches or more of water to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high. Barrier standards align with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and include gate self-closing and self-latching requirements. Above-ground pools with 48-inch walls may use the pool wall as part of the barrier with a removable ladder.

Hot tubs and spas in Tinley Park require a building permit for installation and must meet electrical bonding and GFCI requirements. Spas and hot tubs equipped with a safety cover meeting ASTM F1346 are exempt from pool barrier requirements. Electrical work must be performed by a licensed electrician.

Above-ground pools capable of holding 24 inches or more of water require a Tinley Park building permit and must meet the same barrier requirements as in-ground pools. Above-ground pools with walls at least 48 inches high may use the pool wall as the barrier provided ladders are removable, lockable, or secured when the pool is unattended. Setback requirements apply.

Tinley Park requires a building permit for installation of any swimming pool capable of holding 24 inches or more of water, including in-ground, above-ground, and semi-inground pools. Permits are issued by the Community Development Department and require plan review for setback, fencing, electrical, and plumbing compliance. Plumbing and electrical work requires separate permits and licensed contractors.

Tinley Park pool safety rules incorporate the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and National Electrical Code requirements for GFCI protection, bonding, anti-entrapment drain covers, and barrier standards. The Illinois Swimming Pool and Bathing Beach Act governs public pools; private residential pool safety is primarily a code compliance matter.

Tinley Park does not have a permissive accessory dwelling unit (ADU) ordinance. Second kitchens, separate dwelling units, or rental of a secondary unit on a single-family lot are generally not permitted in residential zoning districts. Some properties with legal non-conforming two-family status may exist, but creating new ADUs requires a zoning variance.

Converting a garage into living space in Tinley Park requires a building permit, zoning compliance, and maintenance of required off-street parking. The conversion may not create a separate dwelling unit. Required parking lost to conversion must be replaced elsewhere on the property, which is often infeasible on typical subdivision lots.

Tinley Park requires a building permit for sheds over a specified size (typically 120 square feet). Sheds must be located in the rear yard, meet setback requirements from property lines (typically 3 to 5 feet), and may not exceed lot coverage limits. Material and height standards apply, and sheds may not be used as dwelling units.

Tinley Park generally discourages carports in residential districts and may prohibit them or restrict them in favor of enclosed garages. Where permitted, carports require a building permit, must meet setback requirements, and must be constructed of materials consistent with the dwelling. Temporary fabric carports are often prohibited as permanent structures.

Tinley Park does not have a specific tiny home ordinance. Tiny homes on foundations are regulated as single-family dwellings and must meet minimum floor area, width, and building code requirements. Tiny houses on wheels (THOW) are generally not permitted as dwelling units in residential zoning districts; they are treated as RVs subject to RV parking rules.

Tinley Park permits recreational fire pits at single-family homes subject to the adopted International Fire Code. Fires must be in a listed container or masonry pit, use only clean seasoned wood, stay under 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet tall, and remain at least 25 feet from any structure.

Open burning of leaves, yard waste, trash, and construction debris is prohibited in Tinley Park under Village ordinance and Illinois EPA rules. Only small recreational fires in approved containers using clean seasoned wood are allowed. The Village provides curbside yard-waste pickup as an alternative.

Tinley Park regulates removal of parkway trees and larger private trees through Public Works. Parkway tree removal requires village approval. Healthy private yard trees may also be subject to tree preservation rules in some developments.

Tinley Park receives Lake Michigan water through Oak Lawn and enforces odd-even outdoor watering restrictions during the May to September sprinkling season. IDNR's Lake Michigan Water Allocation rules (17 Ill. Adm. Code 3730) govern regional supply.

Tinley Park requires property owners to keep branches trimmed above sidewalks (8 feet) and streets (13 feet 6 inches). Parkway trees along public streets are the village's responsibility to trim, though owners may request approval for work.