Yes, as long as the Flood Hazard Protection Ordinance criteria are met. Improvements to an existing structure can be classified as either a Non-Substantial Improvement or a Substantial Improvement. A Substantial Improvement to an existing structure will require that the entire structure be brought into compliance with the Village’s Flood Hazard Protection Ordinance, whereby the lowest level of the structure and all attendant utilities must be elevated to the Flood Protection Elevation (FPE), which is 2’ above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE). These requirements are summarized, as follows:
For any improvements to the home (including an attached garage), to be considered a Non-Substantial Improvement, the total cost of the improvements must be less than 50% of the current market value of the structure, excluding the land, and must be calculated cumulatively over the remaining life of the structure, beginning with any permit issued on or after May 2014.
If additions to an existing structure increases the building’s footprint by more than 20%, the addition must be elevated to the FPE. This increase in footprint is cumulated in aggregate, beginning with any permit issued on or after May 2019.
To determine the current market value, you can either use the Cook County’s Assessor’s information, or get a certified appraisal, using the depreciated value of the structure. The Village cannot take the replacement value of the structure, as it does not accurately reflect the market value.
Cook County’s Assessor’s website can be found here. You can search by address or property PIN. To obtain the adjusted assessed value for the structure, take the assessed value for the structure and multiply by 10. Then, to determine the substantial improvement value threshold, divide that number by 2.
Once the 50% cost of improvement threshold has been met or exceeded, it is considered a substantial improvement, and as noted above, the entire home and attendant utilities need to be elevated such that the lowest floor is at or above the Flood Protection Elevation (BFE + 2’). This would most likely mean that you would need to fill in the basement and potentially jack up the rest of the home. As part of the permitting submittal, copies of the executed contracts that outline the entire scope of work, and any subcontracts that may be necessary, must be submitted for review.