Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Bolingbrook?
Yes. In Illinois, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Bolingbrook is no exception.
Bolingbrook requires a storage shed to be located behind the front wall of the house, not in a corner side yard, at least 10 feet from the residence, and at least 5 feet from the rear and side lot lines. It may not sit within an easement without utility company permission letters. A storage shed for a single-family residence may not exceed 12 feet to the peak or 200 square feet in area, and it must be anchored to withstand a 90 mile per hour wind load. Total lot coverage of all structures may not exceed 30 percent in R-2 or 35 percent in R-3. All contractors must be currently registered with the Village, and Homeowners Association permission is required if applicable. Processing time runs about 15 to 20 working days. 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
- Online storage shed permit application through the Village's OpenGov permit portalrequired
- Current plat of survey showing the proposed shed and its distance from the residence and lot linesrequired
- Drawing of the construction method (or the brochure for a pre-built shed) plus a foundation and anchoring detailrequired
- Site plan showing setbacks from property linesLikely required
- Structure dimensions and floor arearequired
Possible inspections
- Inspection prior to pouring concrete when the shed is on a slab
- Final inspection when the shed is complete (request with at least a 48 to 72 hour notice by calling 630-226-8470)
- Final inspection (when a permit applies)
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for shed or accessory structure in Bolingbrook?
- Yes. In Illinois, shed or accessory structure generally requires a permit, and Bolingbrook is no exception. Bolingbrook requires a storage shed to be located behind the front wall of the house, not in a corner side yard, at least 10 feet from the residence, and at least 5 feet from the rear and side lot lines. It may not sit within an easement without utility company permission letters. A storage shed for a single-family residence may not exceed 12 feet to the peak or 200 square feet in area, and it must be anchored to withstand a 90 mile per hour wind load. Total lot coverage of all structures may not exceed 30 percent in R-2 or 35 percent in R-3. All contractors must be currently registered with the Village, and Homeowners Association permission is required if applicable. Processing time runs about 15 to 20 working days. 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 Bolingbrook?
- The local building department for Bolingbrook 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.