Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Downers Grove?
It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Downers Grove comes down to the details of your project.
Downers Grove provides an Accessory Structure / Detached Garage Diagram for shed and accessory-building submittals. Small sheds may qualify for an exemption, but zoning setbacks still apply. Confirm the current size threshold and setback rules with Community Development before building. Even when a small shed is exempt from a building permit, its placement must comply with the Village Zoning Ordinance. 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
- Building permit application via the Village permit portal (cvportal.downers.us)Likely required
- Accessory Structure / Detached Garage Diagramrequired
- Plat of survey showing the proposed structure location and setbacksLikely required
- Site plan showing setbacks from property linesLikely required
- Structure dimensions and floor arearequired
Possible inspections
- Footing or setback inspection
- Final inspection
- Final inspection (when a permit applies)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Downers Grove?
- It depends. Whether shed or accessory structure needs a permit in Downers Grove comes down to the details of your project. Downers Grove provides an Accessory Structure / Detached Garage Diagram for shed and accessory-building submittals. Small sheds may qualify for an exemption, but zoning setbacks still apply. Confirm the current size threshold and setback rules with Community Development before building. Even when a small shed is exempt from a building permit, its placement must comply with the Village Zoning Ordinance. 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 Downers Grove?
- The local building department for Downers Grove 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.