▼

Planning & Development

Show All Answers

1. 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 access to the Rock Island County tax parcel maps which show recorded property dimensions for all lots of record. Copies may be provided upon request for any property in Moline. To obtain a copy via email, submit a resident request with your email address and the map location address.

Submit a Request

2. What is the Community Housing Services Program?

The Community Housing Services Program is designed to aid and assist low- or moderate-income owners / occupants of substandard single-family dwellings. Contact K.J. Whitley at 309.524.2044 for more information.

3. How do I get an address, change an address, etc.?

Requests for new addresses, changes to addresses, or additional addresses must be requested in writing. Please drop off the request or it send to:
Land Development Manager
619 16th St
Moline, IL 61265

Include the location to be addressed and the reason for the address request.

Submit a Request

4. 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 email the Land Development Manager, Shawn Christ, or call at 309.524.2050 for additional details.

Submit a Request

5. 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 email the Land Development Manager, Shawn Christ, or call at 309.524.2050 with questions.

Submit a Request

6. 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.

Submit a Request

7. 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. For more information, please contact Chris Mathias at 309.524.2036.

8. 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 Shawn Christ or 309.524.2050.

Submit a Request

9. 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 email the Land Development Manager, Shawn Christ, or call at 309.524.2050 to determine the allowable sign size, height and setback requirement for your property.

Submit a Request

10. What are the regulations for a garage/yard/rummage sale?

Includes any occasional sale of personal property at a residence or non-commercial property by one or more families in a neighborhood or by a group, including, but not limited to garage sales, yard sales, rummage sales, attic sales, auctions, estate sales, and moving sales.

Regulations:

• Sales shall be limited to a maximum of 2 occurrences per year.
• Each sale shall not last more than 72 consecutive hours.
• Sales must only include excess goods which have been generated from within the household and not acquired or produced specifically for resale.
• Sales shall be conducted on the owner's property except that multiple family sales are permitted if they are held on the property of one of the participants and any such sale shall be considered to be a sale for all participants.
• Merchandise, display units, and signs shall be removed or placed indoors at conclusion of sales.

Submit a Request

11. Can I annex my property into the City of Moline?

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.

12. Where can I find information about coal mines?

View the Illinois State Geological Surney website.

13. Where can I find information on Moline's historic preservation?

Visit the Moline Historic Preservation webpage.