Services Directory

New residents are required to pay a minimum security deposit of $75.00 for water service; this fee may increase depending of the size of your water meter. Security Deposits are returned to the resident after paying their bill on time consecutively for two years. Should you move out before your security deposit is refunded, that credit will go towards your final water bill. Payment options include cash, checks (only accepted on or before the due date of the current billing cycle), money order, debit cards, and all major credit cards.

Water bills also include sewer charges (based on the amount of water used), sanitation charges* in the amount of $35.00 per billing cycle, and other service fees and taxes. The minimum for these charges is currently $47.09 per billing cycle.

You may also pay your water bill via the Illinois E-Pay System or by calling 1-877-ILL-EPAY (1-877-455-3729). E-Pay payments can take up to 3 days to post to your account. We advise residents to pay via this method at least a week before the due date. The Village Hall is not responsible for payments that arrive late when paid via E-Pay. Do not pay by E-Pay after the initial due date of the water bill.

*Persons 65 years of age and older qualify for sanitation discounts; please contact the Village Hall for more information.

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Vehicle Stickers/Tags
If you own a motor vehicle, you must purchase a vehicle sticker/tag. You must bring proof that your vehicle’s plates are currently registered to Riverdale when applying for your sticker. Current and valid tags must be purchased and displayed no later than July 1st of each year and are valid until June 30th of the following year. Rates vary according to the type and class of your vehicle. Vehicle stickers/tags purchased in May qualify for an early-bird discount rate. In June, vehicle stickers/tags are sold at the regular rate. Rates double if tags are purchased after July 1st. If you recently closed on your home, signed your lease, or purchased your vehicle, you have a 30-day grace period in order to purchase your sticker/tag at the regular rate (outside of the month of May). You must provide proof of closing, lease signing, or bill of sale when applying in order to qualify.

Persons over 65 or with disabilities qualify for discounts. You must bring proof of age or disability when applying for discounted stickers/tags. One discount is allowed per household.

Pet Licensing Tags
Dog and cat license tags are required and must be renewed annually in January. You must bring veterinarian’s proof of current rabies vaccination in order to apply. Those applying outside the month of January will be charged a penalty fee. Per Village Ordinance, there is a limit of three pets per household. All pets are required to be on a leash when not on the property. Animals running loose are subject to impound and owners will be fined. Pets new to the Village (with supporting documents) have a 30-day grace period in order for owners to purchase their pet tag at the regular rate (outside of the month of January).

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Notary Services
Notary services are provided free of charge to Riverdale residents. Valid identification is required.

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Passport Application Acceptance
Designated members of the Village Hall office staff are authorized to accept applications for U.S. Department of Sate Passports. Please bring your photos, birth certificate (proof of citizenship required if born outside the U.S.), valid state I.D. or driver’s license in order to apply. Applications are processed up until 1 hour before closing. Passport Book fees are $100.00 for adults and $85.00 children under 16 years of age. Please add an additional $60.00 per passport for expedited service. Applications for Passport Cards are also available. Click here for more information about Passports.

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Voter Registration
Voter Registration is available at the Village Hall for all Cook County residents. Please bring two forms of identification when applying.

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Business Licensing
Before opening any business in Riverdale, inside or outside of the home, you must be licensed. There are various categories and fees. All new businesses are subject to inspection, investigation, and must be approved. All businesses are re-inspected periodically. Click here to download the Application for Business License.

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Building Permits
Building Permits are required for any improvements or repairs being done to a property (excluding yard work and painting). This includes, but is not limited to additions, garages, patios, roofs, fences, pools, electrical upgrades, or plumbing installations. Applications are available at the Village Hall and must be approved by Building and Zoning prior to the issuance of the permit. There is a $25.00 filing fee due upon submission of the application. Additional fees for permits will be determined during the approval process. Click here to download the Application for Building Permit.

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Contractor Registration
All contractors must be registered in order to work in the Village of Riverdale and to obtain Building Permits. A Surety Bond and Certificate of Insurance are required for all contractors. Those applying must also provide proof of license (or proof of registration in another city, town, or village if licensing is not applicable). The fee for General Contractors is $150.00. The fee for all other contractors is $100.00. Click here to download the Application for Contractor Registration.

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Parking, Street Sweeping, Municipal Ordinance, and Property Maintenance Fines
The Village Hall accepts and process payments in the office and via the Illinois E-Pay System for all fines issued in the Village of Riverdale. Initial protests must be received in writing within 5 days of issuance of the ticket. Protests for Parking Tickets should be directed to the Police Department. Protest for Street Sweeping tickets should be directed to the Village Hall. All other protests must be submitted to the department that has issued the citation. All unpaid fines will be escalated to adjudication and collections.

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Garage Sale Permits
Anyone having a garage sale must apply for a permit at the Village Hall. Applications for Garage Sale Permits are $10.00. You are allotted two consecutive days per permit and only one permit is issued per year per property. Click here to download the Application for a Garage Sale Permit.

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Special Event Permits
In general, any organized activity impacting Village of Riverdale services or involving the use of, or having impact on, public property, public facilities, sidewalks, medians, or street areas requires a permit. In addition, any organized activity on private property that has live music, a D.J., stage, uses vendors in the event, or falls outside the conditional use of the property also requires a Special Event Permit. Applications for Special Events Permit are $10.00.

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Renting Property
In order to rent your property or a unit within your property, you must apply for and be issued an Occupancy Permit before a new tenant may take residency. Applications for Occupancy Permits are $50.00 for each unit you are renting. You must also comply with a Village Inspection prior to the issuance of an Occupancy Permit. Click here to download the Application for Occupancy Permit.

In addition, all owners must apply for and receive their Annual Rental/Multi-Family Dwelling License. Licenses applications for single-family homes, 2-units, and condos are $50.00. Licenses for buildings with 3 or more units are $20.00 per unit. You must also comply with a Village Inspection prior to the issuance of a Rental/Multi-Family Dwelling License. Click here to download the Rental License Application.

All landlords must also complete a Crime Free Housing Seminar provided by the Riverdale Police Department in order to be licensed to rent. Please contact the Riverdale Police Department at 708/841-2203 to sign up for the Crime Free Housing Seminar. You must apply for your license prior to attending the seminar.

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Selling Property
All properties that are sold in the Village of Riverdale require the issuance of a Riverdale Transfer Stamp prior to closing. All properties are required to comply with a Village Inspection in order to receive a Transfer Stamp. Applications for a Point of Sale Inspection and requirements for obtaining a Transfer Stamp are available at the Village Hall. Click here to download the Point of Sale Application and Informational Packet.

In addition to compliance with the inspection, the following is required:
• You must provide a copy of the deed that will be used at the closing.
• You must provide a copy of a certified termite inspection that has been performed on the property within the last 3 months (other certified termite inspections that are guaranteed for periods longer than 3 months are acceptable).
• You must request, in writing, a final water reading within 7 days of closing. Requests made for final meter readings will be scheduled for the following Tuesday. Failure to comply with this requirement or requesting a special reading will result in an additional $25.00 service charge. Final bills are available Wednesday after 4 pm. (Final water bills must be paid on the day your stamp is picked up.)
• All liens, fines, and other fees must be paid in full to the Village of Riverdale. (These amounts are calculated at the same time as the final water bill.)

Fees for Point-of-Sale Inspections are $200.00 for single-family homes and 2-units. Fees for Point-of-Sale Inspections for Multi-Family Dwellings are $200.00 for the first 2 units and $50.00 for each additional unit. Fees for Point-of-Sale Inspections for commercial property are based on the square footage of the property.

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