Codes & Design Criteria

When performing construction within the City of Wheaton the following City, State & Federal regulations are in effect. These regulations pertain to the design and construction of buildings and spaces, including, but not limited to: new construction, additions, alterations, remodeling and other similar projects. All amendments to the Wheaton City Code can be viewed at https://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=10983.

We also have over fifty Guidelines on our website for numerous types of projects that we see on a regular basis such as; decks, sheds, fences, new homes, signs, commercial buildings, grading of lots and similar. These guidelines inform you of; documents you need to provide to the city, pertinent codes applicable to your project, typical inspections, fees, as well as other applicable governmental agencies. We recommend that you familiarize yourself with the applicable guideline at which time our Permit Processors can be contacted at 630-260-2050 to answer any questions you may have.

Single-Family Dwellings and Accessory Structures

Construction of a single-family dwelling or accessory structure such as a garage, deck or gazebo are required to comply with the following codes:

City and State Codes:

• Wheaton Zoning Ordinance.
• Wheaton City Code: Chapter 22, Building and Building Regulations.
• ICC International Residential Code 2012 (including Appendix Chapters A, B, C, G, H, J and O). For Design Criteria see IBC below.
• ICC International Energy Conservation Code 2012 as mandated by the State of Illinois Energy Efficiency Act (20ILCS3125).
• ICC International Plumbing Code 2012 with referenced standards and Appendices B, C, D and F.
• State of Illinois Plumbing Code 2014, Effective April 24, 2014.
• See Site Development requirements below.

Structures Other Than Single-Family Dwellings

Construction of any structure other than a single-family dwelling must comply with the following:

City adopted Codes:

• Wheaton Zoning Ordinance.
• Wheaton City Code, Chapter 22, Building and Building Regulations.
• ICC International Building Code 2012 with referenced standards and Appendices I and K.

Design Criteria; The following chart outlines the design parameters that dictate how and what to build in Wheaton. These criteria are required under the International Building Code and the International Residential Code:

• ICC International Plumbing Code 2012 with referenced standards and Appendices B, C, D and F.
• NFPA 70 National Electric Code 2011.
• ICC International Mechanical Code 2012.
• ICC International Fuel Gas Code 2012 referenced standards and Appendices A, B and C.
• ICC International Fire Code 2012 which references;
  • NFPA 13 Standard for Installation of Sprinkler Systems 2010, and
  • NFPA 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code 2010.

State of Illinois Codes:

• State of Illinois Plumbing Code 2014, Effective April 24, 2014.
• Illinois Energy Conservation Code references the ICC International Energy Code 2012 with references to ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1 – 2010 Energy Standard (excludes lower rise residential).
• Illinois Code for Safety to Life from Fire in Buildings and Structures references the NFPA-101, 2000 Edition Life Safety Code.
• Illinois Accessibility Code 1997.
• Illinois Elevator Safety and Regulation Act references ASME A17.1 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators 2010
• Illinois Food Service Sanitation Code includes: Title 77 of the Illinois Administrative Code, Health Chapter I, Illinois Department of Public Health; Subchapter M, Food, Drug & Cosmetics, Part 750. (Enforced by the DuPage County Health Department)

Federal Requirements:

• American with Disabilities Act
• Federal Fair Housing Act
• Department of Labor (OSHA) Safety Requirements.

Site Development

Site development and improvement projects shall comply with the following codes and/or other governing agencies and their respective regulations. These codes/regulations apply to all improvements made to a site, including, but not limited too: planned unit developments, subdivisions, one-lot developments, new buildings, building additions, water lines, sanitary sewers, storm sewers, roads, drive approaches, sidewalks and grading.

• Chapter 22: Grading, Grading Survey;
• Chapter 34: Floodplain, Stormwater, Runoff and Erosion Contro;
• Chapter 58: Streets, Sidewalks and Other Public Places;
• Chapter 62: Subdivisions; and
• Chapter 74: Utilities.

City of Wheaton Design Details and Standards: Construction and installations on City property shall comply with the City of Wheaton Design Details and Standards and apply to streets, sidewalks, drive approaches, trees, grading and more. These standards are available upon request.

DuPage County:

• Countywide Stormwater and Flood Plain Ordinance;
• Department of Transportation (for developments along DuPage County roads and any new use); and
• Sanitary District, Sewer Permits: Applies to buildings in the southeast quadrant of the City.

Wheaton Sanitary District, Sewer Permits: Applies to buildings that are not serviced by the DuPage County Sewer District.

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):

• Technical Bulletin 10-01 ensuring that structures built on fill-in or near special flood hazard areas is reasonably safe from flooding.
• National Flood Insurance Program.

State Highway Authority: Applies to any developments along state roads such as Roosevelt Road.

Illinois Water Well Construction Code: For abandonment of existing water wells contact the DuPage County Department of Public Health.

Construction and Demolition Site Regulations

See Construction and Demolition Site Regulations informational handout.

Building Projects & Permits

Property owners or contractors must obtain permits from the City before performing many projects. The following list includes many of the projects that require permits. Choose the project you are interested in, and you will find requirements specific to that project. After reading the information, you can download the appropriate permit application at the bottom of this page.

Guidelines are available for following building projects that require permits:

• Above and Underground Storage Tanks (pdf)
• Accessory Uses (pdf)
• Awnings (pdf)
• Basement Remodeling (pdf)
• Buildings Damaged by Fire or Other (pdf)
• Code History (pdf)
• Combustion Air Calculation Worksheet (pdf)
• Commercial Re-Occupancy Guidelines (pdf)
• Contaminated Drywall (pdf)
• Contractor Registration Application (pdf)
• Contractor Registration Guidelines (pdf)
• Decks and Gazebos (pdf)
• Demolition and Construction Site Regulations (pdf)
• Demolition Packet (pdf)
• Drive Approach & Public Sidewalk on City Property(pdf)
• Electrical Generator - Residential (pdf)
• Electrical Service - Residential (pdf)
• Elevators (pdf)
• Fence Guidelines (pdf)
• Fire Alarm Systems (pdf)
• Fire Sprinkler Systems (pdf)
• Fireplaces - Masonry & Factory-Built (pdf)
• Furnace and Air-Conditioner – Residential (pdf)
• Furnace Boiler and Air Conditioner - Commercial (pdf)
• Garage (pdf)
• Grading Plan Requirements Type I (pdf)
• Grading Plan Requirements Type II (pdf)
• Grading Plan Requirements Type III (pdf)
• Lawn Irrigation (pdf)
• Lead Paint EPA RRP Rule (pdf)
• New Commercial Building Code Analysis (pdf)
• Parking Lot Lighting (pdf)
• Ponds & Waterfalls (pdf)
• Pools & Hot Tubs and Spas (pdf)
• Residential - Energy Code Requirements (pdf)
• Residential Addition Remodeling (pdf)
• Roofing - Residential and Commercial (pdf)
• Sheds (pdf)
• Signs (pdf)
• Single Family Residence (pdf)
• Snowmelt System (pdf)
• Street Occupancy (pdf)
• Tents (pdf)
• Tree Preservation Species List (pdf)
• Utility Disconnect Form (pdf)
• Utility Easements - Approval to Build Within (pdf)
• Vacant Building - Maintenance (pdf)
• Water Service Line Sizing (pdf)
• Zoning Requirements for Residential Districts (pdf)

The following building projects also have guidelines that are available from the Building Department at City Hall:

• Banner
• Basement – Minimize Flooding FEMA 10-01
• Commercial Building
• Mail Box Location
• Mobile Classroom/Construction Office
• Outdoor Storage Unit – Temporary
• Overhead Sewer
• Patio
• Signs & Temporary Signs

Permit Applications:

Please see the related information above before downloading the application.

• Application for Permit (pdf)
• Commercial Re-occupancy Permit (pdf)
• Curb, Drive Approach and Public Walk (pdf)
• Engineering Application for Permit (pdf)
• Fence Permit (pdf)
• Lawn Irrigation System Indemnification Form
• Snowmelt System Indemnification Form
• Stormwater Management (pdf)

The following permits are available from the Building Department at City Hall:

• Patio
• Sign
• Temporary Sign

For more information about construction and demolition, please see the Construction and Demolition Regulations handout, which is available at City Hall.

Contractor Registration

Important Information for All Contractors Working in Wheaton:
Contractors wishing to perform work in Wheaton should be registered annually with the City.
Please reference the following items:

1. Contractor Registration Guidelines & Requirements (pdf) and Application (pdf): Identifies the process for different types of contractors to follow, including the application that all contractors must complete and submit to the Building Department for approval prior to performing any work.
2. City Code 

Any architect, builder, contractor or engineer hired or retained by an owner of property to perform any work requiring a permit under any provision of this chapter, and who participates in the work upon the premises, shall be responsible for obtaining the applicable permits or notifying the owner of the necessity of obtaining the necessary permits.

The detailed municipality information displayed on this page is not a property of America's Building Records (ABR). This information is complied for your convenience from the municipality's official website. For the most up-to-date information please visit their official website.