Here's what Riverdale requires of investors buying, rehabbing, and renting there, taken from the village's own website and forms, and how we fit in.
Riverdale at a glance
| Inspection before a sale | Certificate of Compliance inspection (source) |
|---|---|
| Inspection fee and timing | $220 for single-family or two-unit ($55 each additional unit), one reinspection included; apply at least two weeks before closing (source) |
| Open violations at closing | Conditional compliance: buyer signs a 60-day closing affidavit and posts escrow (the application states both a flat 3% of price and $1,000–$7,500 by unit count; confirm with the village); no occupancy until corrected (source) |
| Rentals | Annual rental license (Oct 1–Sept 30) and a $60-per-unit occupancy permit at each new tenant (source) |
| Contractor registration | $195 registration, $5,000 minimum surety bond (source) |
Checked against Riverdale's own website and forms on 2026-09-22. Rules and fees change; confirm with the village before you rely on them.
Apply two weeks out
Riverdale requires a Certificate of Compliance inspection for all proposed changes in ownership, and says to apply at least two weeks before closing and to allow up to two weeks. The certificate is valid for six months from the first inspection.
Buying with open violations
A buyer can take a Conditional Compliance Certificate by signing a 60-day closing affidavit and posting an escrow. The village's own application describes the escrow two ways: as a flat 3% of the purchase price, and as a set deposit by unit count. Ask the village which applies before you close. Occupancy isn't permitted until the violations are corrected and reinspected, and a termite inspection is required.
Renting it out
Riverdale requires an annual rental license and an occupancy permit for each new tenant.
What else to plan for
Property taxes after the rehab. Cook County is reassessing the south and west suburbs in 2026, and the Assessor reviews municipal building permits to decide whether work is likely to change a property's value. Build a post-rehab tax estimate into your numbers.
Contractors register with the village. Riverdale requires contractors to register or be licensed before pulling permits. We handle the village's contractor requirements and permits as part of the job.
How we help in Riverdale
- Before you buy: send Mason the address and the inspection report. We'll talk through what can be scoped and permitted before you close.
- Violation repairs: we scope the village's violation list, pull the permits, and complete the repairs for reinspection. Point-of-sale repairs.
- The full rehab: flips, BRRRR, and rentals, paid through weekly labor draws credited toward your project total. See pricing.