Building permits in Des Plaines are issued by the Community and Economic Development Department at City Hall, 1420 Miner St. Applications and contractor registration are both done online through the city’s Customer Self Service Portal.
This guide covers Des Plaines’ permit office, express permits, contractor registration, codes, inspections and right-of-way permits. The permit fee schedule is in the City Code online library, which could not be opened, so ask the department for permit fees.
What requires a building permit in Des Plaines?
The city publishes express permit guides for residential sheds, gazebos and pergolas, non-structural bathroom and kitchen remodels, decks, demolition, detached garages, driveways, fences, hard surfaces, dumpsters/PODs, pools and roofs.
For room additions in the floodplain, submit photographs of the existing structure and a current (2 years or newer) appraisal of the building so FEMA compliance can be checked under Chapter 14 of the City Code. A spot survey is required after foundation work for all additions.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Illinois leaves building codes to local government, but since 1 January 2025 any local code must regulate structural design at least as strictly as baseline editions of the International Building, Existing Building and Residential Codes, and where no code was adopted the statute sets minimums for commercial buildings and new homes (Public Act 103-0510). Illinois codes and the statewide baseline
Who handles permitting in Des Plaines?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Community and Economic Development | Building permits, contractor registration and inspections; City Hall, 1420 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL 60016, Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Permits 847-391-5380; inspections 847-391-5382; permits@desplainesil.gov |
| Public Works and Engineering | Utility/ROW permits; 1420 Miner Street, Room 504 | engineering@desplainesil.gov; fax (847) 391-5619 |
| Zoning | Zoning questions; the zoning ordinance and district bulk regulations are online | zoning@desplainesil.gov |
| Licensing division | Inspections of new or re-owned restaurants and food businesses | 847-391-5366 |
Contractor registration and bonds in Des Plaines
Contractors must register with the city, and registrations expire on December 31st. General contractors, electricians and ‘other’ contractors (concrete, demolition, excavation, fence, HVAC, mason, windows/doors) pay fees; sewer-only contractors need a Chicago Drainlayers License.
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →A $20,000 bond is required for any contractor working on City property or in the right-of-way, except State of Illinois licensed contractors working in the right-of-way.
Illinois licenses plumbers through the Department of Public Health and roofing contractors through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; there is no state general contractor or electrician licence, and many jurisdictions require local registration. Contractor credentials in Illinois
How to get a building permit in Des Plaines
Sheds, decks, garages, fences, driveways, pools, roofs and the other listed projects have published guides.
In the Customer Self Service Portal; registrations end December 31st.
Through the portal; questions to permits@desplainesil.gov or 847-391-5380.
Get a utility/ROW permit from Public Works and Engineering ($50 application fee, allow 7-10 business days). Oversize or overweight trucks need an Oxcart Permit Systems permit: $35 single trip (30 days), $70 round trip (100 days) or $500 continuous (365 days), allowing 2-3 business days.
Construction and demolition: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period set by Des Plaines; confirm the expiry on phased or delayed work before it passes. Permit validity in Illinois
Building codes in Des Plaines
City Council adopted the 2021 I-Codes (building, fire, existing building, residential, mechanical, fuel gas, pool and spa, property maintenance) and the 2020 National Electric Code on December 15, 2025, effective January 1, 2026. City amendments are in Title 10 of the City Code.
Inspections in Des Plaines
Call the Building Division at 847-391-5382 (8:30am to 4pm according to the city’s permit guides) or email permits@desplainesil.gov.
Rather not deal with the building department?
Get a free quote →A detached garage, for example, is limited to 720 square feet and 15 feet in height (not higher than the house), with walls five feet from property lines and out of easements, electric service and a hard-surface driveway. Its inspections are footing, pre-pour, framing, underground electrical, final building and final electric.
Official Des Plaines permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Des Plaines Building and Permits
- Des Plaines contractor license and bond requirements
- Des Plaines special load and utility/ROW permits
- Des Plaines detached garage permit guide
- Des Plaines Planning and Zoning
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
How big can a detached garage be in Des Plaines?
Up to 720 square feet and 15 feet high, and no higher than the house.
Which sewer contractors can work in Des Plaines?
Sewer-only contractors need a Chicago Drainlayers License and must register with the city.
Can I work on a Sunday in Des Plaines?
Construction and demolition are allowed 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday.
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Inspections are where schedules slip.
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Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Illinois. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
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More Illinois permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Des Plaines permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.