DuPage County, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building and Zoning Department

Street address

421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone

(630) 407-6700

Coverage

Serves all unincorporated areas of DuPage County.

Online portal

Accela Citizen Access (ACA)

Accela

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for DuPage County

New construction, additions, major renovations, demolition, roofs (tear-offs), siding (not overlay), windows, HVAC, decks, fences, pools (>24" deep).

Scope of work

Permit?

Ordinary repairs/maintenance

Exempt

Roof/siding overlays (max 2 allowed)

Exempt

Exempt Ordinary repairs/maintenance
Exempt Roof/siding overlays (max 2 allowed)

Note: Confirm exempt work categories with Building and Zoning Department before proceeding.

Required documents

Scalable Plat of Survey
PDF construction plans
Contractor registration

Building code: DuPage County Building Code, 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2020 NEC, Illinois Plumbing Code.
Owner-builder: Allowed.
Contractor requirements: General and trades must be registered annually.

Source: Building and Zoning Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies; depends on stormwater/wetland impacts.

01

Register on Accela Citizen Access.
02

Submit application and upload PDF plans/survey.
03

Review for building, zoning, and stormwater compliance.
04

Notification of approval and fees.
05

Pay fees and bonds online.
06

Permit issued via portal.

Typical processing time: Varies; depends on stormwater/wetland impacts.

Source: Building and Zoning Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective Current

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$100-$200 (Remodeling); $60 (Fence)

Plan check fee

Included in permit cost

Permit fee formula

$10 per $1,000 of valuation (Valuation calculated at $90/sq. ft. for new SFH)

Reinspection fee

Fees double for work without permit. Performance bonds required: $2,000 (New SFH), $400 (Additions), $100 (Misc)

Penalty (no permit)

Penalty for unpermitted work

Online via ACA

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Current) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

Accela portal (online)

Scheduling deadline: Check portal for scheduling windows.
Inspection hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Time windows: Standard business hours.

Typical sequence: Foundation, Stormwater, Rough, Final.

Required to close permit and release bonds.

Source: Building and Zoning Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated DuPage County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated DuPage County, IL? ▸

New construction, additions, major renovations, demolition, roofs (tear-offs), siding (not overlay), windows, HVAC, decks, fences, pools (>24" deep).

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated DuPage County, IL? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated DuPage County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100-$200 (Remodeling); $60 (Fence). Fees are calculated as: $10 per $1,000 of valuation (Valuation calculated at $90/sq. ft. for new SFH). Plan check fee: Included in permit cost.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated DuPage County, IL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated DuPage County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Register on Accela Citizen Access. 2. Submit application and upload PDF plans/survey. 3. Review for building, zoning, and stormwater compliance. 4. Notification of approval and fees. 5. Pay fees and bonds online. 6. Permit issued via portal.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated DuPage County, IL? ▸

Building permit processing times in unincorporated DuPage County, IL typically run Varies; depends on stormwater/wetland impacts.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated DuPage County, IL? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated DuPage County, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs/maintenance; Roof/siding overlays (max 2 allowed). Note: Confirm exempt work categories with Building and Zoning Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated DuPage County, IL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated DuPage County, IL via: Accela portal. Check portal for scheduling windows..

last verified April 2026 source Building and Zoning Department ↗ entry id permits/illinois/dupage/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated DuPage County