Gutter Installation in Skokie, IL

Local know-how

Skokie’s downspout rule

Skokie has dealt with basement flooding for decades, and the village’s answer includes a clear rule: the Skokie Village Code requires that all exterior downspouts on buildings in the R1, R2 and R3 residential districts be disconnected from the sewer system.

The village explains why: water from roofs that flows into the sewers during heavy rain adds to the load that backs up into basements. Disconnected downspouts send that water onto lawns instead. The village notes that a large share of rainwater falls on roofs, so where it goes matters.

What disconnection means in practice

A disconnected downspout is cut above the old sewer connection, the sewer pipe is capped, and the downspout gets an elbow and an extension or splash block that sends water onto the lawn, away from the house and away from neighbors. On narrow lots, the discharge point needs extra thought so water does not flow straight into the neighbor’s yard or back toward your own basement. See downspout disconnection programs.

If you are not sure which zoning district your home is in, the village directs residents to its Building Division.

Permits

The Village of Skokie’s permit page lists installing siding, gutters or downspouts among work that does not need a building permit. Other work done at the same time, such as roofing or regrading, may have its own rules. See gutter permits and HOA rules.

Older homes and small lots

Many Skokie homes date from the mid-20th century, with brick walls, basements and lots where houses sit close together. Gutters that are sized correctly, downspouts placed where water has room to spread, and extensions that stay in place year-round matter more on a small lot. See gutters and window wells and wet basement? check gutters first.

Weather

Chicago O’Hare’s 1991–2020 normals show about 37 inches of precipitation a year. Snow, ice dams and spring rain on frozen ground test gutters in winter; summer thunderstorms test downspout capacity. See ice dams and gutters and downspout size and placement.

Costs and contracts

Angi puts the average gutter installation project in Chicago at about $1,600, with most projects between about $851 and $2,424; there is no separate Skokie figure. Illinois has no statewide home improvement license, but contracts over $1,000 must be in writing and include the state’s consumer rights pamphlet. See our cost guide and how to choose a gutter contractor.

Sources

• Village of Skokie: Downspout disconnection
• Village of Skokie: Stormwater management
• Village of Skokie: Building and renovation permits
• Illinois State Climatologist: Chicago O’Hare climate normals
• Angi: How much does gutter installation cost in Chicago, IL?
• Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act (815 ILCS 513)