Grading & Drainage: Bolingbrook vs Joliet
How do grading & drainage rules compare between Bolingbrook, IL and Joliet, IL?
Bolingbrook and Joliet have similar restriction levels.
Bolingbrook, IL
Will County
Will County requires a site development permit for grading involving 400 cubic yards of earth movement or alteration of drainage patterns. Runoff cannot be directed onto neighboring properties. Detention storage required for impervious increases over 25,000 sq ft.
View full Bolingbrook rules →Joliet, IL
Will County
The City of Joliet regulates grading and drainage through the Consolidated Stormwater Management Regulations (Chapter 8, Article X). Grading permits are required for land-disturbing activities. Grading plans must show existing and proposed grades, drainage patterns, and erosion control measures. The ordinance prohibits altering drainage to cause adverse impacts on neighboring properties.
View full Joliet rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bolingbrook | Joliet |
|---|---|---|
| Permit Threshold | 400 cubic yards | - |
| Detention Trigger | 25,000 sq ft impervious | - |
| Release Rate | 0.04 cfs/acre 100-yr | - |
| Drainage Rule | IL reasonable use doctrine | - |
| Compensatory Fill | 1.5:1 in floodplain | - |
| Governing Code | - | Joliet Code Chapter 8, Article X |
| Permit Required | - | Grading permit for all land-disturbing activities |
| 2-Year Discharge | - | Maximum 0.04 cfs per acre |
| 100-Year Discharge | - | Maximum 0.15 cfs per acre |
| Drainage Impact | - | Cannot divert stormwater to cause damage on neighboring lots |
| Review | - | Community Development Department |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bolingbrook FAQ
My neighbor regraded and now water pools on my lawn — what can I do?
File a complaint with Will County Land Use (unincorporated) or your municipal engineering department. Illinois follows the reasonable use rule, and redirecting concentrated flow onto your lot creates liability for damages.
Do I need a permit to fill a low spot in my backyard?
If the fill is under 400 cubic yards and does not alter drainage onto neighbors or into a floodplain, no county permit is needed in unincorporated areas. Municipal thresholds are lower — check locally.
Joliet FAQ
Do I need a grading permit in Joliet?
Yes. A grading permit is required for land-disturbing activities that alter natural drainage patterns within Joliet city limits.
Can I regrade my lot to redirect water in Joliet?
Grading is permitted with proper permits, but you cannot alter drainage in a way that causes adverse impacts (flooding or damage) on neighboring properties.
What must a grading plan include in Joliet?
Plans must show existing and proposed contours, drainage patterns, detention basin designs, and erosion and sediment control measures, with discharge rates within city limits.
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