It’s my yard, I’ll do what I want – right?

Maybe, and maybe not. Before breaking ground for a new garage, planning your first pool party, going into the egg business or working on your cousin’s car, make sure you’re up to date on Springfield’s building and zoning rules. Zoning administrator Matthew McLaughlin and electrical inspector Vince Romanotto highlight a few areas of note to keep you legal and help your projects go smoothly.

Getting started, where to go Springfield’s Department of Building and Zoning governs all city property modifications. To avoid delays, fines and even complete structure removal, check the rules for fences, sheds, garages, pools and more before beginning work. Find information about regulations, permits and inspections in Room 304 of Municipal Center West, 300 S. Seventh Street. Zoning deals with how the land is used and all related requirements. The “building” side reviews plans to make sure structures meet all state and city electrical, mechanical, fire safety and plumbing codes.

For example, zoning administrator McLaughlin gets a lot of calls from people with misinformation about fences. “Fences are our biggest issue. People think they always have to have a certain setback, or the ‘good side’ has to face out, or they don’t know how high the fence can be.” Actually, he says, “on an interior lot, a fence can go right up to the property line. The rules for corner lots are different because of visibility requirements.”

Romanotto inspects every pool installation personally to ensure a long list of health-and-safety building requirements has been met for barriers, gates, locks, alarms, above-ground and underground power lines of all kinds, and much more. Just one piece of the inspection requires that International Building Code rules are met to avoid electric shock. For this, Romanotto makes sure the entire structure, water and anything else in or around every pool containing a metal part is “equipotential bonded,” (think, grounded) and there is no possibility of an electric line of any kind making contact with water anywhere in or near the pool.

Question, complaint, technical issue? If you have a question or issue to report, or you want technical planning information for a pool, call the Department of Building and Zoning at 217-789-2171.

Springfield building and zoning FAQs

I want to tear down my garage and put up a new one. It doesn’t have a setback now. – A detached garage of the same size and same footprint can replace an existing garage in exactly the same place without complying with the current rules for setback and distance from the principal structure.

Do I need a permit for my new porch or shed? – Yes, for the porch. Maybe for the shed. If it’s bigger than 120 square feet, yes.

Are there any restrictions about having chickens or other livestock animals in my yard? – “We have no ordinances about chickens,” says McLaughlin, “as long as they’re not being raised to sell live, for the meat, for the eggs, or for sport. However, there may be a subdivision covenant restriction where you live.” In any case, he adds, the police department does enforce the city’s nuisance ordinance that covers odor, noise and any free-range activities for chickens, goats, dogs, rabbits and other pets.

My neighbor never mows his yard. –Residents are required to keep weeds and grass no taller than 10 inches. If the city receives a complaint and finds a homeowner is out of compliance, the city will send a notice, issue a fine if it isn’t corrected, get it cut and send a bill for the lawn service.

No garage. May I park my car in my yard? –No, says McLaughlin. “We probably get hundreds of calls a year about this.”

My neighbor has a sign in the yard all year.

– That’s okay if the sign is not larger than 12 square feet, not placed in the right of way between the sidewalk and street, and not advertising a business.

My neighbor is working on cars in the driveway all the time. – This is illegal, whether for family, friends or customers, paid or unpaid. Homeowners and renters can only work on their own vehicles.

There are too many people living in the place next door. – “We get a lot of neighbor dispute calls, including this,” says McLaughlin. “We send an inspector and check them out.”

The good news The Building and Zoning people are there to help and do a good job. They know the rules and are willing to take a look at your site plan and permit application at the counter before you leave. Later, if the plan is submitted but fails, they will call you or your contractor. And if necessary, you can request a variance from the city council. This really could be the year for that new gazebo and water garden you saw at the home show.

Frequent Home and Garden contributor DiAnne Crown keeps her bird feeders full, clutter down and expensive projects requiring building permits to a minimum.