DuPage County, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)

DuPage County Code § 19-33 requires anyone seeking access to a County highway, or wanting to use County rights-of-way for a facility, driveway or other purpose, to obtain a permit from the County Engineer, or an authorized designee, before starting construction, activity or an event. The Division of Transportation issues four permit types: access permits, right-of-way permits, utility permits and special event permits, with conditions spelled out in the County's Highway Permits Manual. A permit is only considered issued once all fees, bonding and insurance are provided and the County Engineer signs it; the permittee must then distribute copies to every contractor and post the permit on site.

Fees are set in § 19-43's Fee Schedule: a general right-of-way permit costs $500 per project, a standard access permit is $1,500, and access with roadway improvements runs $4,500; pavement open-cuts add $1,000 and permit extensions or revisions cost $100 each. Single-family residential driveway access is exempt from fees under § 19-39, as is work performed for or sponsored by government agencies at the County Engineer's discretion. Permits can be revoked for unauthorized construction, abandonment of facilities, failure to pay fees, or violating permit terms, but the permittee gets written notice and up to 30 days to correct the problem before revocation, per § 19-37.

A revocation can be appealed in writing to the Transportation Committee within 14 calendar days, mailed to the Division of Transportation at 421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton.