Confirm who handles each approval
Use the address check to identify the building office for this parcel. Zoning responsibility can vary by parcel.
Municipal permit guide
City of Joliet, IL permit planning guide
Start with your property address to identify the offices, approvals, and project documents that apply in City of Joliet, IL.
Local guidance available Reviewed July 20, 2026
Best first step
Find the approvals for your parcel, not just a generic form.
Start with the property address. GovCodex uses it to identify the parcel, zoning authority, overlays, and the mix of municipal, county, and state approvals that can apply.
Prefills City of Joliet, IL Checks authority by address
What are you building?
Choose a common project or enter any description on the next screen.
Project preparation
Local application forms are available
Use the project type and property address together before choosing a form or paying a fee.
Before you file
Check the parcel details
Use the address check to confirm the current local offices, forms, and requirements before filing.
Project-specific preparation
What can trigger review and what to prepare
These project checks highlight situations that can add an approval. Your property address and project scope determine what applies.
Common approval triggers
Building Permit (Shed)
A shed permit is required. Prohibited in front yards; >= 3 ft side/rear (no easements); >= 6 ft from the house unless attached; <= 15 ft high; roofed structures <= 30 percent of the lot; anchored at >= 4 points; a shed >…
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Zoning / Land-Use Review
Joliet is home-rule; no county building department governs incorporated Joliet. A zoning review confirming district use and yards is performed at plan review. The per-district dimensional standards (lot area, lot width,…
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Fence Permit
A fence permit is required. Max 4 ft in a front yard, 6 ft in a side/rear yard (visibility); anything > 6 ft anywhere requires ZBA review/approval; not in a detention/floodplain/floodway easement; posts kept off the prop…
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Building Permit (Deck)
A building permit is required (Municode sec. 8-34: unlawful to construct/enlarge/alter/demolish a structure without a permit). An unroofed deck must be >= 3 ft from the property line (no easements); a roofed deck follows…
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Detached Garage Permit
A permit is required prior to constructing a detached garage; >= 3 ft from the property line (no easements); out of all easements; HOA approval if applicable.
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Building Permit (Home Addition)
A "Home Additions" permit is required (alter/enlarge per sec. 8-34). The addition must meet principal-structure setbacks (see the per-district side-yard table on the deck row; front/rear = explicit_unknown, unpublished Z…
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Building Permit (Basement / Remodel)
No dedicated city page. Covered by sec. 8-34 ("alter ... a structure") -> a building permit (New Home/Remodel), plus trade permits (electrical/plumbing/HVAC) as applicable. Threshold specifics = needs confirmation.
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Conditional Zoning Review (ADU / Conversion)
ADUs / dwelling-unit conversions are not addressed on any City permit page and are governed by the unpublished Zoning Ordinance use/density rules. Whether a second unit is permitted is unconfirmed.
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services DivisionSource
Application packet items
Residential permit application (email intake)
Complete the applicable form and email it to permitapplication@joliet.gov (residential). Commercial: email eplansadmin@joliet.gov -> a ProjectDox (Avolve) invite from DoNotReplyJOLIP@avolvesoftware.com to upload plans. N…
Contractor registration before issuance
All contractors must have current registration on file before a permit issues; if a contractor does the work, the contractor (not the owner) pulls the permit (Municode sec. 8-36; owner may pull only for own work).
Marked plat of survey
A marked plat of survey is required. Include measurements (L x W).
Structural drawings / plans to scale
Structural drawings/plans, >= 2 copies, drawn to scale (Municode sec. 8-38); a cost estimate (labor + material); a contract copy if a contractor is used.
Residential Accessory Structures Review Form
A Residential Accessory Structures Review Form is required for accessory projects (sheds, garages, decks, etc.).
JULIE 811 utility locate before digging
Request a JULIE 811 (800-892-0123) locate before digging. HOA approval if applicable.
Preparation order
A practical order for project planning
Use this sequence to organize the work. The property address and project scope determine which steps actually apply.
Building Permit (Shed)
A shed permit is required. Prohibited in front yards; >= 3 ft side/rear (no easements); >= 6 ft from the house unless attached; <= 15 ft high; roofed structures <= 30 percent of the lot; anchored at >= 4 points; a shed >…
Zoning / Land-Use Review
Joliet is home-rule; no county building department governs incorporated Joliet. A zoning review confirming district use and yards is performed at plan review. The per-district dimensional standards (lot area, lot width,…
Fence Permit
A fence permit is required. Max 4 ft in a front yard, 6 ft in a side/rear yard (visibility); anything > 6 ft anywhere requires ZBA review/approval; not in a detention/floodplain/floodway easement; posts kept off the prop…
Building Permit (Deck)
A building permit is required (Municode sec. 8-34: unlawful to construct/enlarge/alter/demolish a structure without a permit). An unroofed deck must be >= 3 ft from the property line (no easements); a roofed deck follows…
Detached Garage Permit
A permit is required prior to constructing a detached garage; >= 3 ft from the property line (no easements); out of all easements; HOA approval if applicable.
Building Permit (Home Addition)
A "Home Additions" permit is required (alter/enlarge per sec. 8-34). The addition must meet principal-structure setbacks (see the per-district side-yard table on the deck row; front/rear = explicit_unknown, unpublished Z…
Building Permit (Basement / Remodel)
No dedicated city page. Covered by sec. 8-34 ("alter ... a structure") -> a building permit (New Home/Remodel), plus trade permits (electrical/plumbing/HVAC) as applicable. Threshold specifics = needs confirmation.
Conditional Zoning Review (ADU / Conversion)
ADUs / dwelling-unit conversions are not addressed on any City permit page and are governed by the unpublished Zoning Ordinance use/density rules. Whether a second unit is permitted is unconfirmed.
Residential permit application (email intake)
Complete the applicable form and email it to permitapplication@joliet.gov (residential). Commercial: email eplansadmin@joliet.gov -> a ProjectDox (Avolve) invite from DoNotReplyJOLIP@avolvesoftware.com to upload plans. N…
Contractor registration before issuance
All contractors must have current registration on file before a permit issues; if a contractor does the work, the contractor (not the owner) pulls the permit (Municode sec. 8-36; owner may pull only for own work).
Responsibility by office
Who may handle the approvals
Separate offices can review different parts of the same project. Confirm the parcel-specific split before filing.
City of Joliet — Building & Inspectional Services Division
Conditional Zoning Review (ADU / Conversion)
Fee signals
Published fee examples
Use these to anticipate cost structure. Confirm the adopted schedule and project calculation before filing.
Fence Permit
Base fee $65 · minimum $65 · Flat $65 (the one unambiguous published Joliet flat fee). CURRENCY CAVEAT: the schedule is dated 2020 and states fees are liable to change; verify the current amount before relying on it. Municode sec. 8-95 = triple fee for unpermi…
View fee sourceBuilding Permit (residential)
The residential permit families (Decks / Home Additions / Sheds / Patios / Pergolas-Gazebos) are each a flat $65 on the 2020 fee page, but the schedule is stale and states amounts are liable to change, so building-permit is left needs_review (never present $0)…
View fee sourcePreparation library
Browse forms only when you need them
Search by project or approval. Official forms and adaptable state templates are labeled separately.
Showing forms that match your project search.
New Home / Remodel Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 20, 2026Source
Fence Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 20, 2026Source
Deck / Patio / Shed / Garage Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 20, 2026Source
Swimming Pool Permit Application
Use this official form when preparing your project submission.
Checked Jul 20, 2026Source
Official references
Official sources for City of Joliet, IL
Statewide sources describe the governing code regime. Locally verified sources identify the actual issuing office, form, or adopted schedule.
Official reference
Deck / Patio / Shed / Garage Permit Application
City of Joliet, IL · checked July 20, 2026
Official reference
Fence Permit Application
City of Joliet, IL · checked July 20, 2026
Official reference
New Home / Remodel Permit Application
City of Joliet, IL · checked July 20, 2026
Official reference
Swimming Pool Permit Application
City of Joliet, IL · checked July 20, 2026
Questions people ask
Joliet permit FAQ
Where do I start for a project in City of Joliet, IL?
Start with the property address. The parcel determines whether municipal, county, state, shoreland, floodplain, sanitary, transportation, or special-district approvals can apply.
Who handles building permits in Joliet?
A building office is not listed here. Use the address check to confirm the issuing office before relying on a form.
Who handles zoning approval in City of Joliet, IL?
Zoning administration may sit with the municipality or county. Confirm the parcel authority before relying on statewide guidance.
Are the fees and forms on this page final?
No. Adopted fees, application versions, issuing offices, and required attachments can change. Verify the current official source before filing or paying a fee.
Do not guess from the municipality name.
Check which permits apply