Naperville, IL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Naperville Municipal Code § 5-1A-3 (IBC § 105.8, amended)
- Fence exemption threshold
- Only fences 3 feet or under are exempt
- Late-start penalty
- $500.00 fine or doubled fees, whichever greater
- New-home requirement
- Recorded final plat required before permit issues
- Enforcing officer
- Chief Building Official, under city manager's direction
- Sidewalk condition
- Permittee builds public sidewalks in adjacent right-of-way
Summary
Naperville requires a building permit before constructing, altering, or remodeling any building or structure, under Naperville Municipal Code Section 5-1A-3, the city's local amendments to International Building Code Section 105. A permit issues only once the lot is fully improved under Title 7, or the owner agrees in writing to complete those improvements, and Naperville narrowed the IBC exemptions so only fences three feet or under skip the permit step. The Chief Building Official administers the program.
Section 105.2 Work Exempt From Permit: Delete nos. 1, 3, 6, 8, 9 and change no. 2 to read: Fences not over 3 feet high. Section 105.8 Condition Of Permit: No permit shall be issued to allow the construction, alteration, or remodeling of any building or structure unless: (1) The lot or parcel of real estate upon which the building or structure is located or is to be constructed is fully improved in accordance with title 7 of this code; or (2) The owner of the lot or parcel of real estate upon which the building or structure is located or is to be constructed shall agree, in writing, to fully comply with all of the requirements of title 7 and to construct all of the improvements required by said title...(6) No permit required by this section shall be issued for the construction of a new principal structure unless: A certified final plat of subdivision, assessment, or planned unit development, as required by the Plat Act (765 ILCS 205/) and title 7 of this code, for the lot or parcel has been recorded in the office of the recorder of deeds in the county in which the lot or parcel is situated.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 101).
Full Breakdown
8, Condition Of Permit, as amended, bars the Chief Building Official from issuing any permit to construct, alter, or remodel a building or structure unless the lot is fully improved in accordance with Title 7 of the Naperville code, or the owner agrees in writing to fully comply with Title 7's improvement requirements and construct all required improvements. The lot must also be directly adjacent to and accessible from a hard-surface roadway, at a location approved by the City Engineer and the Fire Department, of sufficient width, strength, and composition for emergency, utility, snow-removal, and waste-removal vehicles in all weather.
A permittee must construct public sidewalks within the adjacent right-of-way. For a new principal structure, no permit issues unless a certified final plat of subdivision, assessment, or planned unit development, required by the Illinois Plat Act, 765 ILCS 205, and Title 7, has been recorded with the county recorder of deeds, and the applicant has signed a statement confirming familiarity with and agreement to comply with the approved final engineering plans, including a foundation survey by a registered Illinois land surveyor before construction proceeds past the foundation walls.
" That means most of the small-project exemptions the base IBC allows elsewhere, including several categories of sheds, walls, and platforms, do not apply inside Naperville, and any fence over three feet needs a permit. 3 may designate deputies with full code-official authority during any temporary absence or disability.
Violations & Fines
Starting work before a permit issues violates Section 109.4, Work Commencing Before Permit Issuance: the City can impose a stop-work order and charge double the standard inspection and administrative fees under Title 1, Chapter 9, Article H, or a flat $500.00 fine, whichever is greater. If required approvals cannot be obtained, the City may require the applicant to remove the improvement. Section 114.4 extends the same doubled-fee, stop-work exposure to anyone who builds in violation of approved construction documents or a building official's directive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to build a shed in Naperville?
What happens if I start construction without a permit in Naperville?
Can Naperville issue a permit before my lot's Title 7 improvements are finished?
Who administers building permits in Naperville, Illinois?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Naperville
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