File Requirements - Uploading Digital Files Overview:

Plan Files: Must be submitted as single-page PDFs in the correct orientation.  Any multi-page or incorrect orientation plan files uploaded will be rejected.  If you create PDF files, please create SMART PDFs or VECTOR PDFs (Text searchable, maintain layers and retain calibration settings).  We will not accept Scanned Images or Raster PDFs from design professionals.

Document Files: Must be submitted as PDFs (can be multi-page). 

• Examples: Structural Calculations, Geotechnical Reports, Device Specifications, Project Narratives, and Storm Water Reports.  Searchable PDFs are preferred for calculations, reports and other non-plan files.

Plan File Requirements

City of Joliet’s Plan Size Requirements for Planning, Engineering, Building, Grading and Fire Plans =  24" X 36" 

All plan files are required to be uploaded as single-page files.

• Files should be named starting with a numeric value (ex: 0001) to keep a desired sequence when uploaded into ProjectDox.

• ePlans displays files in order of their naming, so using a numbering system maintains order. 

• Following the numeric value, files should be named according to their listed order on the Title Sheet, Cover Sheet or Table of Contents.

• Naming should follow a structure like: numeric value, sheet name and brief description of each page.

*ePlans Tip!:

• Please limit the number of characters in the file name to 40 or less – abbreviations are acceptable.

• Do not include dashes (-) or slashes (\) or special characters ( #, *, _, etc..)

Electronic Stamps & Signature

When applicable, files must be electronically stamped by a registered architect, engineer or design professional per the State of Illinois’s Division of Professional Regulation.  The link below provides the State required information:

State of Illinois – Code Enforcement Officials & Design Professional Manual

Drawing Scale

• All plans must be drawn to scale.
• All plans must be calibrated to ensure availability to the reviewer(s).
• Each sheet must have an independent scale. Ex: 1in = 40 ft. or 3/16in = 1 ft.
• When more than one scale is used on a sheet, an independent scale must accompany the applicable detail.

Layer Requirement

• The layers must be 100 or less. Please clean and remove all extra layers from the plan file.
• Remove/reduce any shading or hashing in the file.  Files that are not accessible will be returned to the applicant.

Inserting a New Plan Page into Existing Pages

Document Files

Document files may be uploaded as multi-page submittals if they are not plan files.  Examples of document files are Applications, Structural Calculations, Geotechnical Reports, Device Specifications, Project Narratives and Stormwater Reports.  Since documents are not required to be in any formal order, name them for what they are.  Example:

Document File Type Requirements

If you create PDF files, please create “Smart PDF’s” or Vector PDF’s (i.e. text searchable, maintain layers and retain calibration settings). We will not accept “Scanned Images” of Raster PDF’s from design professionals.

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