Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Arlington Heights?
Most likely yes. Shed or accessory structure usually requires a permit in Illinois. Confirm the specifics with Arlington Heights.
Arlington Heights reviews sheds, gazebos, and detached garages under its Accessory Structure (Residential) packet. A very small shed may fall under an exemption, but larger structures and any detached garage require a permit, so confirm the size threshold with Building & Life Safety at 847-368-5560 before you build. Accessory structures must meet the Village's zoning setback rules whether or not a permit is required, and the plat of survey must show the exact proposed location. Applications are filed electronically through the Civic Access Portal. Anyone other than the property owner who performs the work, even without pay, must be registered as a contractor with the Village before the permit is issued. Illinois has no single statewide shed threshold, so the 200 square foot figure quoted from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Requirements are set by each municipality, and the ones we have checked are stricter than that figure: Wheaton does not require a building permit for a shed of 120 square feet or less, and Joliet requires a shed permit with a Residential Accessory Structures Review Form and a plat of survey showing the shed location. Assume the local number rather than a national one, and ask your building department for the threshold that applies at your address before you buy the shed. Zoning setbacks, easements and lot coverage still apply where no building permit is needed, and running electrical or plumbing to the shed triggers its own permit. A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured.
Documents you may need
- Accessory Structure (Residential) permit application through the Village's Civic Access PortalLikely required
- Plat of survey drawn to scale showing the structure location and setbacksLikely required
- Contractor's proposal and Village contractor registration (if a contractor performs the work)Sometimes required
- Site plan showing setbacks from property linesLikely required
- Structure dimensions and floor arearequired
Possible inspections
- Site and setback verification and structural inspection by the Building & Life Safety Department (when a permit is issued, and required for a detached garage or larger accessory building)
- Final inspection (when a permit applies)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Arlington Heights?
- Most likely yes. Shed or accessory structure usually requires a permit in Illinois. Confirm the specifics with Arlington Heights. Arlington Heights reviews sheds, gazebos, and detached garages under its Accessory Structure (Residential) packet. A very small shed may fall under an exemption, but larger structures and any detached garage require a permit, so confirm the size threshold with Building & Life Safety at 847-368-5560 before you build. Accessory structures must meet the Village's zoning setback rules whether or not a permit is required, and the plat of survey must show the exact proposed location. Applications are filed electronically through the Civic Access Portal. Anyone other than the property owner who performs the work, even without pay, must be registered as a contractor with the Village before the permit is issued. Illinois has no single statewide shed threshold, so the 200 square foot figure quoted from the model International Residential Code does not govern here. Requirements are set by each municipality, and the ones we have checked are stricter than that figure: Wheaton does not require a building permit for a shed of 120 square feet or less, and Joliet requires a shed permit with a Residential Accessory Structures Review Form and a plat of survey showing the shed location. Assume the local number rather than a national one, and ask your building department for the threshold that applies at your address before you buy the shed. Zoning setbacks, easements and lot coverage still apply where no building permit is needed, and running electrical or plumbing to the shed triggers its own permit. A shed that will have electricity, plumbing, or a permanent foundation falls outside the usual small accessory building exemption, which generally covers simple unpowered structures only. Electrical and plumbing work each normally require their own permit and inspection even when the structure itself would have been exempt, and many jurisdictions require a licensed electrician or plumber to pull them. Zoning setbacks, height limits, and lot coverage are reviewed separately from the building permit, so confirm placement with your local department before the shed is delivered or poured.
- Who issues the permit in Arlington Heights?
- The local building department for Arlington Heights handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.