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1. What aspects of the City Code is the Community Development Department responsible for enforcing?

The Community Development Department enforces all building, zoning and property maintenance codes of the city. The department reviews plans for consistency with the City Code, including the Subdivision Regulations, issues building permits and reviews proposed development. The department works with applicants, the Historic Preservation and Plan Commissions, Zoning Board of Appeals, and City Council to insure that plans under review meet the City Code and the goals of the Comprehensive Plan.

2. What is zoning?

This is the process of locating, grouping, and controlling land uses and development to achieve the stated purposes of the Zoning Code. These purposes include helping to insure public health and safety, quality of life, and specifically, protection of land, air, and water quality and value.

3. What is my property zoned? What regulations must I follow?

The Batavia Zoning Map depicts each zoning district within the city. Each district is defined and regulated under Title 10 of the City Code, entitled Zoning Code. Each district has a list of permitted and conditional use along with other regulations regarding the built form. Copies of the Zoning Code may be reviewed at the Community Development Office or on the City's website. Batavia Zoning Map

4. Is my property conforming or non-conforming? What does this mean?

This refers to whether the use of or built conditions on your property comply with all zoning requirements. If legally established uses or conditions are no longer allowed, they may continue without alteration as a non-conforming use. The Zoning Code, Chapter 4.6 has specific allowances for continuation (or elimination if necessary) of non-conforming uses when site improvements are altered or uses are interrupted. Please refer to the Zoning Code in the Batavia City Code for more information or call our office. Chapter 4.6 (PDF)

5. I own a business and would like to display a temporary sign: do I need a permit?

Yes, you will need a permit to display a temporary sign banner in Batavia. Businesses may obtain a temporary sign permit from the Community Development Department by completing a Building Permit application. Regulations regarding Temporary Signs are specific to each Zoning District, under Chapter 4.4 of the Zoning Code. Please call the Community Development Department at 630-454-2700 to inquire about the fee and necessary paperwork.

6. What is annexation?

Annexation is a legislative act of the City Council, to bring property into the city limits. Properties that are annexed to the city will pay city property taxes, but will also receive city services such as police and fire protection, street maintenance, and electric, water, and sewer service. Properties must be contiguous to the Batavia City limits to annex. Properties outside the city limits may enter into a pre-annexation agreement that requires them to annex when the city limits adjoins their property.

7. Is my property in the City of Batavia?

The City Zoning Map indicates the current city limits. Properties that are not in the City limits do not show a zoning designation. Any property outside of the city limits is under the jurisdiction of Kane County. A Batavia mailing address does not necessarily mean your property is incorporated. Most fire district addressed properties are unincorporated. City Zoning Maps

8. What are TIF Districts?

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts are economic development tools that take advantage of increases in property value. TIFs are designed to promote redevelopment of struggling areas. When an area is experiencing declining property values, and the resulting drop in property tax revenue, they may institute a TIF. The TIF freezes the amount of tax revenue each taxing body (School District, Park District, etc) receives to that of the starting year of the TIF. The city will then make significant improvements in the TIF area. This could include street, utility, and streetscape repairs as well as land assembly for redevelopment. This is usually financed through bonds.

The improvements raise the property values, and therefore the property tax revenue, in the district. The taxing bodies however, still only receive the portion that was their share when the TIF began. The rest of the income is used to pay off the bonds and make other improvements in the district. TIF Districts are allowed to run for 23 years. After they run their course, the taxing bodies return to receiving their full share of the tax revenue. TIF Districts

9. Is my property in a TIF District?

The City of Batavia has 2 active TIF districts that generally cover the downtown area. A map of these districts is available on the city's maps webpage. TIF Districts will also appear on your property tax bill. If you would like additional information about the TIF districts contact the Community Development Department at 630-454-2700. City Maps