Downers Grove Building Permits, Inspections and Services: Start Here
If you are planning a deck, addition, remodel, fence, driveway, garage, commercial improvement, electrical project or another construction job in Downers Grove, the main local office is the Village of Downers Grove Community Development Department, Building Division.
The Building Division coordinates permit review and building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing inspections. Applications are handled through the Village’s online permit portal, so in most cases you do not need to visit the Civic Center just to submit paperwork.
Open Official Permit Portal Official Permit Information
Downers Grove Building Department Contact Information
850 Curtiss Street
Downers Grove, IL 60515
7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Have the permit number ready.
The Building Division is part of Community Development. The department also handles planning and zoning questions, code enforcement and development-related review.
Open the official Community Development page for current office information.
What Projects May Need a Downers Grove Permit?
The Village says most construction projects require some type of permit. The exact application depends on the work, so it is better to identify the project category before uploading plans.
| Project | What to prepare or check |
|---|---|
| New house | Professional building drawings, survey, site engineering, energy information, contractor list and applicable trade credentials. |
| Residential addition | Owner authorization, professional drawings, survey, contractor list and possible site engineering/site-management documents. |
| Interior remodel | Owner authorization, drawings, contractor list and applicable electrical, plumbing or roofing credentials. |
| Deck, porch or stoop | Owner authorization, plat of survey showing location, building drawings and contractor information. |
| Fence | Owner authorization, survey marked with proposed fence location, height and style, plus contractor proposal/details. |
| Detached garage, shed, gazebo or pergola | Survey, drawings, proposed location, manufacturer specifications where applicable and relevant trade information. |
| Driveway | Survey showing proposed driveway location, contractor information and drawings/proposal. Right-of-way work can trigger additional requirements. |
| Electrical work / EV charger | Drawings, contractor information, electrician credentials and equipment information. EV chargers can require load calculations and manufacturer specifications. |
| Commercial construction or remodeling | Commercial applications generally require drawings stamped and signed by an Illinois-licensed design professional. |
| Demolition | More extensive documentation is required, including ownership, utility-disconnect information, survey, site-management documents and other project-specific items. |
For the Village’s current project-by-project list, use the official Permit Forms and Documents page.
Documents to Prepare Before Opening the Permit Portal
A large share of permit delays start before the application is submitted: the applicant selects the right permit but does not upload the required survey, owner authorization, plans or contractor documents.
The Village’s 2026 submittal guide identifies different requirements for each permit type. These are some of the most useful examples.
Residential addition
- Owner Authorization Form.
- Building drawings stamped and signed by an Illinois-licensed design professional.
- Contractor list.
- Residential energy compliance information where applicable.
- Plat of survey.
- Site engineering plans with topography when the applicable land-disturbance threshold is reached.
- Site-management documentation when the applicable gross-floor-area threshold is reached.
Deck, porch or stoop
- Owner Authorization Form.
- Plat of survey with the proposed location marked.
- Building drawings.
- Contractor list.
- Applicable electrical or roofing license/letter information if those trades are part of the work.
Fence
- Owner Authorization Form.
- Plat of survey showing the proposed fence location, height and style.
- Building drawing or contractor proposal.
- Contractor list.
Residential EV charger
- Owner Authorization Form.
- Drawing showing charger location and layout.
- Electrical load calculations.
- Manufacturer specifications and UL listing information.
- Contractor list.
- Current Illinois electrician license and Letter of Intent.
- Applicable Illinois Commerce Commission certification.
How to Apply for a Downers Grove Building Permit Online
- Open the official portal. Go to cvportal.downers.us.
- Sign in or register. New users can create an account with an email address and contact information. Activate the account from the confirmation email.
- Choose Building and Fire. After signing in, select Apply for a Building or Fire Permit.
- Select the application type. Choose the project that actually matches the work, such as a deck, new commercial building, residential project or fire-related permit.
- Select the work items. Mark all applicable work so reviewers know whether electrical, plumbing, mechanical or other review is involved.
- Enter the property address. Begin typing the address and select the property from the Village database. If the address cannot be found, contact Community Development before continuing.
- Confirm applicant and contractor information. The Village requires an Owner Authorization Form and contractor information for many applications.
- Upload the supporting documents. The Village currently asks that uploaded documents be under 50 MB. Accepted formats listed by the Village include PDF, JPG, JPEG, PNG and DOCX.
- Review everything before submitting. Read the portal disclaimer, confirm the information, complete the security check and submit the application.
- Save the permit number. The permit number appears after submission. Use My Items in the portal to follow the application, read review comments and upload corrections.
After the permit is approved
- Sign in to the permit portal.
- Open My Items.
- Select the approved permit.
- Choose Add Fees to My Cart.
- Open the shopping cart and complete payment.
- After payment is confirmed, obtain the Permit Card and Permit Inspection Card.
- Print and display the Permit Card where it can be seen at the property.
- Keep the Village-approved stamped plans onsite during construction.
For new single-family homes and commercial projects, the Village instructs applicants to keep the approved plans onsite at full size and true scale.
How Long Does a Downers Grove Building Permit Take?
The Village currently publishes the following general review targets:
| Stage | Published timing |
|---|---|
| Initial review | Approximately 10 business days after the application is received and verified. |
| Additional review/comments | The Village states these should generally be responded to within about 5 business days. |
A complete deck application and a complicated commercial development do not necessarily take the same amount of time. Missing surveys, incomplete drawings, zoning issues, engineering review or unresolved reviewer comments can extend the process.
Applications submitted after normal business hours, on weekends or on Village holidays are processed beginning on the next business day.
Downers Grove Building Permit Fees in 2026
The Village’s User-Fee, License and Fine Schedule effective April 10, 2026 lists specific building permit and inspection charges. The figures below are useful planning amounts, but a project’s total can include multiple permit, trade, inspection, bond or other charges.
| Permit or service | Published 2026 amount |
|---|---|
| Accessory building under 200 sq. ft. | $170 |
| Accessory building over 200 sq. ft. | $710 |
| Residential addition, alteration or repair | $555 basic fee, plus applicable plumbing and electrical fees |
| Deck permit | $170 |
| Above-ground pool / hot tub | $170 |
| In-ground swimming pool | $500 |
| Other permitted work valued under $25,000 | $135 |
| Other permitted work valued $25,000–$50,000 | $525 |
| Other permitted work valued over $50,000 | $1,295 |
| Inspection fee | $125 |
| Re-inspection fee | $90 |
| Certificate of Occupancy | $125 |
For new residential, non-residential and associated buildings, the 2026 fee schedule uses a square-footage formula. The published schedule begins at $2,115 for the first bracket and adds $1,060 increments per additional 1,000-square-foot bracket.
Commercial additions, alterations and repairs also use a size-based calculation beginning at $1,140 for the first bracket, with additional $1,060 increments in the published schedule.
View the official April 10, 2026 fee schedule (PDF).
How to Schedule a Downers Grove Building Inspection
Inspections may be requested through the permit portal or by calling 630-434-5529. The Village asks applicants to allow 48 to 72 hours of notice.
- Locate your active permit number.
- Check the Permit Inspection Card or approved project information to identify the inspection needed.
- Make sure the applicable work is complete and accessible.
- Open the permit portal and request the inspection, or call 630-434-5529.
- Provide the permit number, inspection type, property address and contact information.
- Wait for the appointment confirmation before assuming the requested date is approved.
- After the inspection, correct any listed issues before requesting the next inspection or reinspection.
Do not cover or conceal work that may require a rough inspection until you know the required inspection has been completed. This is especially important for framing, electrical, plumbing and mechanical work.
Bond refunds after final inspections
If a bond was required for the project, the Village says the refund process begins automatically after all required final inspections have been completed and passed. In most cases, published guidance says bond refunds are generally processed within about three to four weeks.
Building Codes Used in Downers Grove
Downers Grove adopted updated construction codes effective in 2024. The Village’s current permit page lists the following major standards and local amendments:
| Area | Published code |
|---|---|
| Commercial / general building | 2021 International Building Code |
| One- and two-family residential | 2021 International Residential Code |
| Electrical | 2020 National Electrical Code |
| Mechanical | 2021 International Mechanical Code |
| Fuel gas | 2021 International Fuel Gas Code |
| Property maintenance | 2021 International Property Maintenance Code |
| Fire | 2021 International Fire Code |
| Pools and spas | 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code |
| Life safety | 2015 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code |
| Energy, accessibility and plumbing | Applicable State of Illinois requirements with Village amendments where adopted |
Local amendments matter. A model-code book by itself does not tell you every requirement that applies in Downers Grove.
Open the Village’s current code list or search the Downers Grove Municipal Code.
Important 2026 Rule for Residential Roof Shingle Replacement
That does not mean roofing work is free from code requirements. The Village states that residential roofing must still comply with the adopted 2021 International Residential Code and Downers Grove amendments.
The Village’s roofing guidance addresses items such as compatible materials, installation according to manufacturer instructions, ice barriers and drip edges.
If the job involves structural repairs, changes beyond ordinary shingle replacement, commercial roofing or another scope of work, confirm the permit requirement before work starts.
Read the official 2026 Residential Re-Roof Requirements.
Check Zoning Before Designing the Project
A building permit and zoning approval answer different questions. A structure may be technically buildable but still fail zoning rules because of its location, height, lot coverage, setback or use.
The Village provides a Parcel Navigator that can identify zoning for a property by address or PIN.
- Open the Downers Grove Parcel Navigator.
- Search the property address or PIN.
- Locate the parcel.
- Make sure the zoning layer is enabled.
- Note the zoning classification.
- Use the official Municipal Code to review the applicable zoning rules before finalizing the design.
This is especially important for fences, detached garages, sheds, additions, signs, commercial uses and projects near property lines.
Construction Work Hours in Downers Grove
The Community Development Department currently states that construction work may take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The Village also states that heavy construction is not permitted on Sunday.
If your project involves unusual work hours, large equipment or activity that may fall under a different Village rule, verify the restriction before scheduling crews.
Common Permit Problems and the Fastest Way to Fix Them
The property address does not appear
Do not force a different address into the portal. The property may be outside Village limits. Call 630-434-5515 and confirm jurisdiction.
The application is waiting for corrections
Sign in, open My Items, select the permit number and read the reviewer comments. Upload the corrected document in the appropriate portal section instead of opening a second application.
You are not receiving permit emails
Sign in to the portal, open My Account and make sure the preferred contact method is set to email. Also check spam and junk folders.
You are unsure which permit type to select
Review the Village’s permit forms and submittal documents. If the project combines several types of work, call Community Development before submitting so you do not start with the wrong application.
You want to start as soon as the application is approved
Approval alone is not the last step. Pay the assigned fees, obtain the issued Permit Card and Inspection Card, display the permit as instructed and keep the approved plans onsite.
Downers Grove Building Department FAQs
1. Where is the Downers Grove Building Department located?
The Building Division is part of the Village of Downers Grove Community Development Department at the Civic Center, 850 Curtiss Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515. Published office hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
2. How do I apply for a Downers Grove building permit?
Use the Village’s official online permit portal at cvportal.downers.us. Sign in, select “Apply for a Building or Fire Permit,” choose the project type, enter the property information, upload required files and submit the application.
3. How long does Downers Grove permit review take?
The Village currently states that a first review is generally completed in approximately 10 business days after the application is received and verified. More complex projects or incomplete submissions can take longer.
4. How do I schedule a building inspection in Downers Grove?
Request an inspection through the permit portal or call 630-434-5529. The Village asks for 48 to 72 hours of notice. Have the permit number, inspection type and contact information ready.
5. Do I need a permit to replace residential roof shingles in Downers Grove?
The Village’s February 2026 guidance states that a permit is not required when the work is limited to residential roof shingle replacement. The roofing work must still comply with applicable building-code requirements. Other roofing scopes can require a permit.
6. How much is a Downers Grove deck permit?
The Village fee schedule effective April 10, 2026 lists a deck permit fee of $170. Additional charges may apply if the project includes separate electrical, plumbing or other regulated work.
7. What documents are needed for a Downers Grove deck permit?
The Village’s current submittal guide lists an Owner Authorization Form, a plat of survey with the proposed deck location marked, building drawings and a contractor list, plus applicable trade credentials when electrical or roofing work is involved.
8. Can I check my Downers Grove permit status online?
Yes. Sign in to the official permit portal, select “My Items,” choose the applicable application category and open the permit number to view status information, documents and reviewer comments.
9. What should I do if my Downers Grove address is not found in the permit portal?
The property may be outside the Village’s municipal limits. Contact Community Development at 630-434-5515 before submitting. The Village cannot process permits for properties outside its jurisdiction.
10. What are the allowed construction hours in Downers Grove?
The Village currently states that construction work may take place from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and that heavy construction is not permitted on Sunday.
Before You Start Your Project
The easiest way to avoid permit delays is to prepare the correct documents before opening the application. Confirm the property is inside Downers Grove, check zoning, identify the correct permit type, prepare the survey and plans, gather contractor information and then submit everything through the official portal.
If you have a project-specific question that the published documents do not answer, call the Village permit staff at 630-434-5515 before spending money on drawings or starting work.
Apply Through Official Portal Permit Forms & Documents
Information reviewed for 2026. Permit fees, forms, code amendments and procedures can change. USBuilding.org is an independent informational resource and does not issue permits or make binding code decisions. The Village of Downers Grove remains the final authority for a specific property or project.