Building Permits
Residents are required to obtain the necessary building permits from the City of Naperville before beginning any new construction project. Construction projects include new buildings, additions and remodeling, decks, patios, fences and pools. Building permits also may be required for water softeners, air conditioners, antennas, lawn sprinkler systems, driveways and accessory outbuildings. Please refer to the City of Naperville Guide to Residential Building Permits for additional information on when a permit is required and suggestions for choosing a contractor.
For roofing, siding and storm damage: A building permit is not required to replace the most common damaged or deteriorating roofing and siding materials on single family homes. A permit is not required to install vinyl, aluminum or cement board siding, or an asphalt composite shingle roof as long as the existing roof sheathing remains in place. Installation of any other exterior finish products such as brick, thin-set masonry, stone veneer, or roofing materials such as metal, wood, slate or sealed membranes will require a permit. Even if a permit is not required, the property owner is still responsible to ensure that the installation meets the required building codes and that any roofer hired to do the work is licensed by the State of Illinois.
Permit Submittal Process
Building permits are submitted two different ways depending on the type of permit.
- Option 1: Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal
- Option 2: Emailed Submittal
Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal
To apply for a permit for a residential project, such as a deck, driveway and sidewalk, electrical, fence, gazebo, lawn irrigation system, patio, plumbing, pool, or solar (photovoltaic) permit, please visit the City of Naperville Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal. The portal gathers the information needed to apply, pay for, and manage permits in one convenient place.
Many projects include multiple features that may require separate permits. For example, a project that includes a pool, patio and fence will need a permit for each feature. To make the permit process as seamless as possible, applicants should identify the primary feature and apply only for that permit. The primary feature is the focus of the project and represents the main scope of what will be built. When submitting the application, include detailed information on all aspects of the project. Based on the information provided, staff will identify and enter permits for the other project features. All permits for the project, whether created by the applicant or staff, will be available through the portal.
Emailed Submittal
To apply for all other permit types not listed above, email the electronic submission including a copy of the appropriate application and all required documents to buildingpermits@naperville.il.us. For a large submittal, where the attachments would exceed 25 MB, please submit the application only, and staff will respond with information on how to upload your supporting documents.
All permit application documents need to conform to the City's electronic submittal requirements. The most important requirement is that all files must be in a PDF format with file names that describe the document. Please note that some permit applications still may require multiple copies of a document, but a single copy in PDF format is acceptable unless otherwise requested by City staff.
Upon submittal, your application will be assigned to a Project Manager who will confirm the receipt of your email. City staff also may respond to you with questions or to request additional documentation before an application can be accepted.
Permit Review Process
The application and all required documents will be reviewed by City staff. Depending on the type and scope of the project, the application may be reviewed by many different departments to ensure the proposed work complies with all of the applicable building and zoning codes. Projects are reviewed in the order they are received, and the time necessary to complete the review is based on the type of project. Complex projects, such as a new single-family home, may be reviewed within three to four weeks, while a simple project, such as a fence or driveway, may be reviewed in less than one week. Review times may be longer during the busiest times of the year.
If upon review the permit application is found to have deficiencies, applicants will be notified and asked to resubmit the application and required documents.
Permit Fees
Permit fees will be determined during the review process based on the scope of the work proposed. Upon receipt of an invoice, payment may be made by phone using a credit card as indicated on the invoice. Payments will not be accepted in person at the Municipal Center. Payment must be made before the permit will be issued.
The City’s building permit fees last were updated on Feb. 1, 2019 (per Ordinance 18-145). Please refer to the fee schedules below to see how fees are determined.
Single Family/Small Residential - Permit Fee Schedule
Commercial/Small Commercial - Permit Fee Schedule
Permit Issuance
Once the payment of permit fees has been verified, staff will email a copy of the permit and an approved, stamped copy of the plans to the applicant. The applicant must print the permit and post it at the work site in a location visible from the street. One printed copy of the approved, stamped plans must be available on site during inspections.
Required inspections will be listed on the permit. Inspections can be scheduled by calling (630) 420-6100, option 1, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Closed daily from 1-2 p.m.) If all lines are busy, please remain on the lines. Calls are answered in the order they are received. Please schedule all inspections at least 72 hours in advance.
Building Codes
Per Ordinance 18-141, passed by the City Council in December 2018, all plans will be reviewed based on:
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- 2018 International Building Code
- 2018 International Residential Code
- 2018 International Property Maintenance Code
- 2018 International Fire Code
- 2018 International Fuel Gas Code
- 2018 International Mechanical Code
- 2018 International Plumbing Code
- 2018 International Existing Building Code
- 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code
- 2017 National Electric Code (NFPA 70)
- 2006 International Code Council Electrical Administrative Provisions
- 2018 Life Safety Code (NFPA 101)
- Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Current Edition
- National Fire Code (NFPA), Current Edition
- Illinois State Plumbing Code, Current Edition
- Illinois Accessibility Code, Current Edition
- Local Amendments per Naperville Municipal Code
In addition to the required building codes adopted by the City, City Boards and Commissions have made recommendations to improve sustainability and accessibility of structures in Naperville.
For questions about the code requirements, contact the Building Permits at (630) 420-6100, Option 2 or by email to buildingpermits@naperville.il.us.
Permit Applications
Permit applications are available on the City website for many permit types or through the City of Naperville Permitting, Plans and Licensing Portal for residential driveway and sidewalk, electrical, fence, lawn irrigation system, plumbing, and solar (photovoltaic) permits. Please click on the following links for additional information about how to apply for each type of permit.
* For new single-family houses and duplexes, or for residential building additions that result in an increase of 50% or more of the existing gross floor area, please contact buildingpermits@naperville.il.us for information on how to submit.