Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do I get an address, change address, additional address, etc?

Requests for new addresses, change of address, or additional addresses must be requested in writing.  Please direct request to Zoning Administrator, 619 16^th Street, Moline, IL  61265 or drop off at the Planning & Development Department at the same address.  Include the location to be addressed and reason for address request.

How do I annex into the City?

If your property abuts land currently within the City of Moline’s jurisdiction, a petition for annexation should be filled out and submitted to the Planning & Economic Development Department to start the annexation process.  There is no fee to annex into the city. 

Where can coal mine information be found?

Contact the Illinois State Geological Survey, Coal Section online at:

http://www.isgs.illinois.edu/maps-data-pub/coal-maps.shtml

or http://www.isgs.illinois.edu/sections/coal/coal-home.shtml

What are the requirements for building a fence?

A fence 6’ tall or less may be built up to, but not on or over, the side and rear property lines in residential zoning districts.  Fences built within the front yard setback shall not be more than 42 inches in height, and not less than one foot from the property line.  A permit is not required for fences that are 6 feet tall or less.  Acceptable materials include:  wrought iron, plastic, wood, brick, stone, stucco, wire and other materials with a similar look.  Unacceptable materials that are visible from adjoining properties, streets or right-of-ways include glass, tires, unfinished concrete blocks, recovered salvaged materials, or similar materials.  All fences with two sides of different quality and/or with posts on one side shall be erected such that the higher quality side and/or side without posts faces the adjoining property. 

Additional restrictions apply for fences to be placed on corner lots or fences taller than 6 feet.  Please contact the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050 for additional details.

How do I obtain floodplain information?

Maps, insurance, protection measures, code requirements, and additional information can be found at our flood hazard information page.

What are the requirements for building a shed or garage on residential property?

A storage shed, gazebo, or similar structure that is no more than 16 feet in overall height and no larger than 120 square feet may be constructed or placed up to, but not on or over, a side or rear property line.  The shed must, however, be located at least 6 feet away from any other structure on the site.  A permit is not required for sheds meeting these limitations.

A large shed or detached garage may be constructed in the rear yard as long as it is at least 5 feet from the rear property line, at least 3 feet from the side property line, and at least 6 feet from any other structure on the site.  Maximum height is 15 feet to the roof midpoint.  The structure must also be no more than the coverage of the principal structure or 30% of the rear yard, whichever is less.  Additional restrictions apply for accessory structures to be placed elsewhere on a property or on corner lots.  Please contact the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050 with questions.

What are the home-based business zoning requirements?

Home based businesses and home occupations classified as minor, without nonresident customers and employees, are allowed in all zoning districts which allow residential uses.  The following regulations apply to all minor home occupations:

1. The use shall be conducted entirely within a dwelling and carried on by the inhabitants thereof and no others;

2. The use shall be clearly incidental and secondary to the use of the dwelling for dwelling purposes, and the appearance of the structure shall not be altered or the occupation within the residence be conducted in a manner that would cause the premises to differ from its residential character either by the use of colors, materials, construction, lighting, signs, or the emission of sounds or vibrations that carry beyond the premises;

3. No more than two hundred (200) square feet of floor area shall be used for the home occupation;

4. Signs shall comply with all applicable requirements of Chapter 3 of the Moline Code of Ordinances;

5. There shall not be conducted on the premises the business of selling stocks of merchandise, supplies, or products, provided that orders previously made by telephone or at a sales party may be filled on the premises.  That is, direct sales of products off display shelves, racks, or from inventory is not allowed, but a person may pick up an order placed earlier as described above;

6. No storage or display of goods shall be visible from outside the structure;

7. No highly explosive or combustible material shall be used or stored on the premises unless approved by the fire inspector.  No activity shall be allowed that would interfere with radio or television reception in the area, not shall there be any offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, or glare noticeable at or beyond the property line;

8. The use shall not create greater vehicle or pedestrian traffic than normal for the district in which it is located, including commercial and general delivery services;

9. No use of material or equipment not recognized as being part of the normal practices of owning and maintaining a residence;

10. Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, garage, basement, yard or other similar sales shall not be allowed more than twice a year, and each sale shall not last more than seventy-two (72) consecutive hours, and only goods which have been generated from within the household and not purchased elsewhere for resale.  Sales shall be conducted on the owners property except that multiple family sales are permitted if they are held on the property of one (1) of the participants and any such sale shall be considered to be a sale for all participants;

11. Deliveries from commercial suppliers may not be made more than once a week, and the deliveries shall not be made from semi-tractor trailer trucks;

12. Permitted minor home occupations include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following:

1. Artists and sculptors;

2. Authors, desktop publishers and composers;

3. Home crafts for sale off-site;

4. Office facility of clergy;

5. Office facility of a salesman, sales representative or manufacturer's representative provided that no transactions are made in person on the premises;

6. Address of convenience used solely for receiving and making phone calls including computer usage, mail, keeping business records in connection with a profession or occupation;

7. Individual tutoring;

8. Preserving and home cooking for sale off-site;

9. Individual instrument and vocal instruction provided that no instrument may be amplified;

10. Telephone solicitation work;

11. Any other similar uses deemed to be consistent by the Zoning Administrator.

A permit is not required for minor home occupations meeting the above limitations.  Other home occupations classified as major, where customers and employees may come to the home, may be allowed if certain regulations are met and a Special Use permit is granted.  Contact the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050 with questions regarding home occupations.

What are the requirements for installing a pool?

A pool may be installed on a residential property as long as it is at least 25’ from the front property line, at least 3’ from all other property lines.  The setback is measured from the edge of water or playing structure.  All permanent equipment must not be more than 16 feet in height.  More restrictions may apply on corner lots.  Please contact the Planning & Economic Development Department at (309) 524-2050 with questions.  A fence at least 5' in height must enclose a pool capable of holding 24 inches or more water.  Please contact the Building Division at (309) 524-2370 for questions involving required fencing, permit requirements, and separation from building requirements.

How do I determine where my property lines are?

The most accurate way to determine a property boundary is to hire a registered land surveyor to perform a survey of your property.  The city does not provide surveying services.  Residents may attempt to locate corner lot monuments ("pins") themselves to estimate the location of property lines.  The Planning & Development Department has generalized tax parcel maps showing recorded property dimensions that can be made available for any property in Moline.  You may contact the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050 to request a copy of the tax parcel map for your property.

Where can boats, campers, trailers, or other recreational equipment be stored on residential property?

A recreational vehicle, as defined, that does not exceed 20 feet in overall length, 8 feet in width, or 6 feet in overall height may be stored in a rear yard providing all principal structure yard setbacks are met and the vehicle is parked on a concrete pad.  The recreational vehicle may not be stored in front or beside the house.  Recreational vehicles exceeding these dimensions may not be stored anywhere on residential property under any circumstances.  However, such equipment may be parked anywhere on residential premises for up to 24 hours during loading and unloading no more than twice in any consecutive period of 7 days.  At least 30 hours must separate each occurrence.  Equipment may not be used for living, sleeping, or housekeeping purposes when parked or stored on a residential lot, or in any other location not approved for such use.  Please contact the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050 with questions.

How do I know if signs/awnings can overhang the sidewalk in front of my business?

Signs or awnings can be approved to overhang a sidewalk on private property through the normal building permit process.  If the sign or awning overhangs a public sidewalk on right of way, a licensing agreement must be obtained prior to building permit issuance.  The non-refundable application fee for licensing agreements is $560. 

How do I subdivide my property?

Minimum lot sizes and street frontages must exist before a subdivision would be allowed.  Simple splits resulting in no more than 5 lots not involving any new streets, rights-of-way, easements, or public improvements may be processed as a minor subdivision following payment of a non-refundable $650 application fee.  Major subdivisions will be processed following payment of a non-refundable $910.00 application fee.  To learn more about the subdivision process or determine if your property could be subdivided, please contact the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050.

How do sign regulations affect my property?

Yard Sale, Real Estate, For Sale, Political, Advertisement, or any other temporary sign is prohibited on the public right-of-way or on utility poles.  As a rule of thumb, the area including the street and the sidewalk is considered public right-of-way.  Generally, if you place a sign at least three feet behind the sidewalk, that is acceptable.  If there is no sidewalk, please ensure that such signs are setback at least two feet behind your property line.

The sign code regulates advertising based on the zoning district and street frontage of a property.  Properties in more intensive zoning districts with larger street frontages are allowed more signage than smaller, less intensively zoned properties.  Please call the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050 to determine the allowable sign size, height and setback requirement for your property.

How do I check the zoning on property?

Visit the City of Moline's interactive web mapping site.  After you accept the legal agreement/disclaimer, click on 'zoning map' to access the interactive map server.  Search by address or use the map zoom tools to locate a property or general area in Moline.  If you experience problems or would like staff assistance with your inquiry, you may contact the Land Development Manager/Zoning Administrator at (309) 524-2050 or schrist@moline.il.us with the property address or tax parcel number and we will be happy to assist you.

How do I rezone property?

Any property owner or authorized agent may apply to rezone their property at any time.  Zoning map amendments are considered against specific approval criteria.  Please contact the Land Development Manager at schrist@moline.il.us or (309) 524-2050 to set up a meeting to discuss the rezoning request.  The rezoning process will take approximately 8 to 10 weeks from start to finish depending on the complexity of rezoning.  The non-refundable application fee for rezoning is $660.

What programs are eligible to receive Community Development Block Grant Funds?

Please refer to the Community Development Block Grant Application

What is the Housing and Neighborhood Services Program?

The Housing and Neighborhood Services Program is designed to aid and assist low or moderate income owner-occupants of substandard single-family dwellings.

Who is eligible?

Single-family, owner-occupants living within city limits who qualify with the income guidelines set by Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Can a home that was purchased on contract be eligible for repairs?

No.

What items are eligible under the Housing and Neighborhood Services Program?

• Roof and Gutters

• Insulation

• Electrical

• Plumbing

• Heating

• Foundation

• H/C Accessibility

• Water/Sewer Service

What is considered an emergency under the Housing and Neighborhood Services Program?

Situations that come unexpectedly are considered emergencies and therefore the homeowner will not be put on a waiting list.  Help is available immediately if funds are available; contact Liliana Rodriguez at 524-2046.

What Items are eligible for repair under the Housing and Neighborhood Services Program?

• Sewer line collapse, breakage, or other complication causing sewage to back-up into the residence

• Frozen or burst water lines.

• Furnace repair or replacement during the heating season.

• Accessibility issues related to handicapped/disability condition(s) of an occupant.

  Online Service Request