Frequently Asked Questions…
This is a list of the most commonly asked questions. To see the complete answer to your question, click on the question/answer block. Before contacting an office, you may find what you are looking for here. If you cannot find the answer, feel free to contact us.
All
Building and Development
City Commission
Code Enforcement
Community Development
Community Relations
Engineering
Fire Rescue
Government
Police
Report a Concern
Services
Sewer Utility
Stormwater
Tax
Urban Forestry
Water Utility
How To Report a Concern
How can I find out when my next court date is?
Can I drop charges?
How can I talk to a prosecutor about my case?
How do I file charges?
How do I get a protection order?
How do I obtain a residential recreational burn permit?
How do I obtain a copy of an EMS or Fire Report?
How do I become a Firefighter or Paramedic?
How do I obtain a Fire Safety Inspection?
Does the Fire Department install free smoke detectors or carbon monoxide detectors?
When and where are City Commission meetings held?
Why is the Mayor only there part-time?
How do I get a copy of a birth certificate or death certificate?
How do I report streetlight outages or flickering streetlights?
How do I report illegal trash dumping?
Who do I call for billing information or account name and address changes for water and sewer?
When is leaf pickup?
Who takes care of trees in the right of way (not on private property)?
When does the City plow residential streets?
Who fixes potholes and makes street repairs?
Who picks up dead animals in the street and public right of way?
Why do I have to pay the stormwater fee when my property doesn't drain to the stormwater system?
Why do I have to pay the stormwater fee when my property is completely covered with grass or trees?
What determines the amount of my stormwater fee?
How can I reduce my stormwater fee?
Why does Springfield have a Stormwater Utility?
How can I pay my Utility Bill?
What is the civil service system and how does it apply to City employment?
Where and how can I apply for a City job?
What type of positions are available with the City?
How do I apply for or find out the status of my building permit application?
What is the permit fee to file for a building permit or to submit plans?
What is the turnaround time for the approval of a building permit?
Does the Division of Building Regulations offer Premium or Expedited Plan Review Service?
What does it mean when a building permit application is “on hold”?
Where do I submit revisions to my building permit application that is currently under review?
How do I submit revisions to my issued building permit?
How do I request an extension for a building permit application? How many extensions are allowed?
Is it possible to reinstate a cancelled building permit application?
How long can an applicant wait to pick up an approved building permit application?
How long is a building permit valid?
Does the Department of Building Inspection offer off-hour inspections?
Where do I pay for plumbing permits/inspections?
Where do I get a copy of a Certificate of Occupancy?
How long is a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) valid?
What permits are needed when installing fire alarms or fire sprinklers?
Where and when do I obtain a Certificate of Occupancy for my building?
Do I need a permit for an electrical upgrade?
How do I find out if my neighbors have a permit to perform construction work?
Who do I contact to file a complaint about illegal construction activity?
Where can I obtain a copy of the Lead Paint Guidelines?
How may I request a building address change or the addition of a building number to my building?
Can I place tables and chairs on the sidewalk?
Where do I go to file for sidewalk and/or encroachment permits?
What department handles public trees?
Does the City have a tree-planting program?
Where do you make a complaint regarding debris on the street?
Where do I inquire regarding underground tank removal?
Where do I inquire about graffiti removal?
Where can I get copies of the Zoning Codes/Regulations?
Who can I talk to regarding Landmark/Historical buildings?
Where do I inquire regarding zoning restrictions?
Who is responsible for a lot division/split?
Where can I obtain a list of building, plumbing and electrical contractors?
Who do I contact to check if a contractor is licensed?
Where can I file a complaint against a contractor?
What department do I contact to become a licensed contractor?
Why has my water pressure decreased?
What part of the water service is the property owner’s responsibility when there is a leak?
When can I start consuming water after a boil advisory has been issued?
What part of the sewer system is the property owner’s responsibility?
Who should I call if I have a sewer back up?
What can I do to prevent a sewer stoppage in my home?
Who is responsible for maintaining the sidewalk, curb, and gutter around my property?
Can the city assist in finding available housing for rent?
Can I have bees, chickens, goats, pigs, or other animals/livestock in the City?
Are there restrictions on putting up a fence?
How do I report a potential property maintenance violation like structures that require repair, demolition, or that are vacant and not secured, unlawful yard accumulations, weeds and trees or shrubs blocking public rights-of-way?
How long does it take to resolve a property maintenance complaint?
What happens when a property owner does not comply with an order to address property maintenance violations?
What can I do if I disagree with the officer’s decision about violations occurring on my property?
Can a City code enforcement officer enter onto my property with or without my permission?
Where can I legally park my vehicles on my property?
Are there restrictions on the storage of recreational vehicles on residential property?
How can the City address vacant properties in my neighborhood?
Can I connect to city water and sewer?
What is the Minority Business/Disadvantaged Business, and Contracts Compliance Office
How does the City of Springfield handle Affirmative Action Programs?
Where can I have my water tested?
Why is my water “brown”?
What is my water tested for?
What is in my water?
Where does my water come from?
How is my water treated?
Why does my water smell like chlorine?
Can I tour/visit the Water Treatment Plant?
What do I need to do in order to hold a block party?
What schedules or supporting documents should I attach to my return?
Are retired persons required to pay city tax?
Are students exempt from the tax?
I am under 18 and work part-time. Do I need to file a Springfield income tax return?
Do I live within the city limits?
Why doesn't the city tax interest income?
I am a resident of the City, but my only income was from wages that were fully withheld upon. Do I still have to file a return since I don't think I will owe any money?
I have a rental property that shows a loss each year after expenses. Should I include that in my return?
My W-2 has differing amounts in the federal income box, the local income box and the medicare box. Which amount should I show as taxable wages for my city income tax return?
I live in Springfield but work in another city and have tax withheld for that city. Do I get credit for that against my Springfield tax liability?
How are my taxes used?
Are my 2106 expenses deductible?
Does the City of Springfield allow a carryover of net operating expenses?
Can my spouse and I file together?
How do I get a handicap parking space in front of my house?
Who pays the earned income tax?
What will this cost the typical household?
Why does the City not collect a sales tax?
Have the cuts from the state been offset by casino revenues?
Why did the City contract with an independent third-party audit firm to perform a financial trend analysis and benchmarking study at a cost of $125,000?
My sewer and stormwater rates recently increased; can these funds be utilized to cover the City's current financial shortfall?
Who is required to file Springfield income tax returns?
What is the new tax rate and when does it start?
How will I calculate my 2017 tax on my tax return?
How will this affect my estimated payments?
What if I work in another city? Will my credit change?
Does Springfield have lead water lines?