Joliet, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building & Inspectional Services Division, Community Development Department

Street address

150 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL 60432

Phone

(815) 724-4070

permitapplication@joliet.gov (Residential)

Coverage

Serves the City of Joliet. Note that Joliet spans multiple counties; this entry covers the primary Joliet jurisdiction.

Online portal

EnerGov / Citizen Self Service (CSS)

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Joliet

New construction, additions, alterations, decks, fences, pools, roofing, siding, and mechanical/electrical/plumbing upgrades.

Scope of work

Permit?

Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.

Exempt

Swings and other playground equipment.

Exempt

Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches.

Exempt

Fences under 2 feet (verify with zoning).

Exempt

Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.
Exempt Swings and other playground equipment.
Exempt Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches.
Exempt Fences under 2 feet (verify with zoning).

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspectional Services Division before proceeding.

Required documents

Completed application
Plat of Survey (for exterior work)
Construction Plans (2 sets if paper, PDF if digital)
Contractor list

Building code: IBC 2015, IRC 2015, NEC 2014, IMC 2015, IFGC 2015 (Note: Transitioning to 2021 codes per IL mandate).
Permit validity: Generally valid for 1 year from issuance; work must commence within 6 months.
Owner-builder: Homeowners may perform work on their own primary residence but must sign an owner-occupant affidavit.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must be registered with the City. Plumbers and Roofers must provide State of Illinois license.

Source: Building & Inspectional Services Division, Community Development Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Varies; typically 10-14 business days for standard reviews.

01

Download application forms from the City website.
02

For Residential: Complete forms and email to permitapplication@joliet.gov.
03

For Commercial: Email submittal form and general application to eplansadmin@joliet.gov to receive a ProjectDox invitation.
04

Upload all plans and documents to ProjectDox (Commercial).
05

Plan review is conducted by building, zoning, and fire departments.
06

Once approved, pay fees via CSS portal or at City Hall.
07

Permit is issued and must be displayed on-site.

Typical processing time: Varies; typically 10-14 business days for standard reviews.

Source: Building & Inspectional Services Division, Community Development Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Joliet building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$65.00

Permit fee formula

$10.00 for every $1,000 of construction value for projects over $7,000.

Trade permit fee

Included in permit fees

Reinspection fee

$65.00 per reinspection

Online via CSS portal or in person at City Hall.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(815) 724-4070 (Building) (phone)
(815) 724-4068 (Fire) (phone)

Scheduling deadline: 24-hour notice required for all requests.
Inspection hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Time windows: Standard business hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Foundation, Under-slab, Rough-in (Electric, Plumbing, Framing), Insulation, Final.

Remote video inspections may be used for certain inspection types at the city's discretion.

Source: Building & Inspectional Services Division, Community Development Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Joliet permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Joliet, IL? ▸

New construction, additions, alterations, decks, fences, pools, roofing, siding, and mechanical/electrical/plumbing upgrades.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Joliet, IL? ▸

Building permit fees in Joliet, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $65.00. Fees are calculated as: $10.00 for every $1,000 of construction value for projects over $7,000..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Joliet, IL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Joliet, IL, follow these steps: 1. Download application forms from the City website. 2. For Residential: Complete forms and email to permitapplication@joliet.gov. 3. For Commercial: Email submittal form and general application to eplansadmin@joliet.gov to receive a ProjectDox invitation. 4. Upload all plans and documents to ProjectDox (Commercial). 5. Plan review is conducted by building, zoning, and fire departments. 6. Once approved, pay fees via CSS portal or at City Hall. 7. Permit is issued and must be displayed on-site.

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

Building permit processing times in Joliet, IL typically run Varies; typically 10-14 business days for standard reviews.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Joliet, IL? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Joliet, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work.; Swings and other playground equipment.; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall that do not project more than 54 inches.; Fences under 2 feet (verify with zoning).. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Inspectional Services Division before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Joliet, IL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Joliet, IL via: (815) 724-4070 (Building), (815) 724-4068 (Fire). 24-hour notice required for all requests..

last verified April 2026 source Building & Inspectional Services Division, Community Development Department ↗ entry id permits/illinois/will/joliet

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building & Inspectional Services Division, Community Development Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Joliet

Other jurisdictions in Will County.