City of Joliet, IL
Home MenuGovernment » Departments » Community Development » Building & Inspectional Services Division » Residential Building Permit Information
Garages & Carports
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An accurate plat of survey with the placement of the proposed structure clearly marked.
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Completed Garage/Carport Permit Application
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Completed Residential Accessory Structure Form
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Measurements - Garage/ Carport Details & Driveway Details
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Structural Drawings
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Homeowners Association approval, if applicable.
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Cost Estimate
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Copy of the contract, if the work is being completed by a Contractor.
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If a Contractor is performing the work, then the Contractor must be the one to pull the permit (per Sec. 8-36 of the City of Joliet Code of Ordinances).
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DETACHED GARAGE & CARPORT REQUIREMENTS:
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Garages and carports must be located out of all Public and Utility Easements.
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When there are no easements, garages and carports may be placed up to 3 ft. from the property lines.
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The garage/carport must be located 60 ft. from the front property line.The garage must not be taller than one story, 20 ft. high to top of roof ridge.
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Wall height must not exceed 10 ft. high.The garage/carport must be smaller in footprint than the house (first floor square footage).
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When a garage door faces an alley, the garage must be 10 ft. from the alley and 3 ft. from the side lot line.
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When a garage door does not face an alley, the garage can be located 3 ft. from the alley and the side lot lines.If the garage/carport is located less than 6 ft. from the house, the garage/carport must be code compliant (Contact Framing Inspector).
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Detached accessory structures larger than 200 sq. ft. in area shall be constructed to complement the principal structure (building material and colors).
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Detached accessory structures larger than 120 sq. ft. in area must include a concrete foundation approved by the Building Inspections Department.
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There is to be only one detached garage or carport allowed per residential property, including properties with multiple lots.
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All structures (excluding driveways, sidewalks, pools, unroofed decks/patios, & fences) on a lot must cover no more than 30% of the total lot area.
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All garages and carports are required to include and maintain a paved driveway.
Corner Lots: No garage or carport will be allowed in the required 20 Ft. Corner Side Yard
ATTACHED GARAGE & CARPORT REQUIREMENTS:
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Attached garages & carports must remain out of all easements.
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Lot coverage must not exceed 30% (includes any structure with a roof).
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Must remain at least 6 ft. from other roofed structures.
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Setbacks vary depending principal residence's zoning classification:
ZONING DISTRICT |
NUMBER OF STORIES |
MINIMUM SIDE YARD |
SUM OF SIDE YARDS |
R-1 |
1-1 ½ 2-2 ½ |
8 ft. 10 ft. |
20 ft. 25 ft. |
R-1A, R-1B & R-2 |
1-1 ½ 2-2 ½ |
6 ft. 8 ft. |
15 ft. 20 ft. |
R-2A |
1-2 ½ |
5 ft. |
10 ft. |
R-3 Single-Family
Two-Family |
1-1 ½ 2-2 ½ 1-1 ½ 2-2 ½ |
6 ft. 8 ft. 5 ft. 6 ft. |
15 ft. 20 ft. 12 ft. 14 ft |
Check your zoning classification here.
Note: At two intersecting streets, alleys, and driveways, there are additional requirements that must be met to protect the visibility of automotive traffic, cyclists, and pedestrians.
Please use the information below as guides. All garages and carports are subject to final approval from the Planning & Building Divisions.
Detached Garage Layout [PDF]
Ashford Place
Aspen Meadows
Brighton Lakes
Brookside
Burr Oaks
Calla Terrace
Cambridge Run
Campus Courtyards
Caton Ridge
Caton Ridge West (effective 3/25/21)
Caton Ridge South (effective 3/25/21)
Century Oaks (Condos)
Citadel on Rock Run
Clublands
Dames Executive Townhomes
Deer Run Estates
Eagle Ridge
Edgecreek Estates
Estates @ Cedar Creek
Fairway Estates II Condos
Fall Creek
Golfview Estates
Grand Prairie (Townhomes)
Greywall Club (Detached homes)
Hampton Glen
Heritage Lake (effective 8/12/24)
Hunters Ridge
Inwood Terrace Condos
Kearney Glen (effective 5/11/21)
Kendall Ridge (effective 6/27/23)
Lakewood Falls Village (effective 5/4/23)
Lakewood Prairie (effective 5/13/21)
LeCarrow Glen Townhomes
Legacy Pointe
Neufairfield
Neustoneshire
Olde Mill Crossing (Townhomes)(9/8/23)
Old Renwick Trail
Prairie Terrace (Condos)
Prairie Trail
Regency Ridge (Condos)
Reserves @ Cedar Creek
Ridgefield Condos
Riverside at Ole Caton Farm
Riverside Townes
Rock Run Point
Sable Ridge (effective 10/20/23)
Saint Paul’s Estates
Sanctuary
Saratoga West Condos
Silver Leaf
Spangler Farms
Springwood Condos
Springwood South
Squires Mill
Stone Creek
Theodore’s Crossing
Thorn Creek
Thornwood
Timber Oaks (Condos & Townhomes) (9/8/23)
Timbers Edge Villas
Timberview
Twin Oaks
Twin Oaks West
Waterford Pointe
Wesmere
Wexford (single-family only)
Wexford West (single-family only)
Whisper Glen
Windsor Ridge
Wooded Creek
Woodland Terrace II
Villas @ Cedar Creek
Updated August 12, 2024
An accurate plat of survey is required for all permits for installation of, replacement of, and additions to fences, decks, pools, patios (with or without a roof), driveways, driveway aprons, sidewalks, garages, pergolas, gazebos, porches and similar structures, and additions. This includes the replacement of flatwork (driveways, aprons, sidewalks) with the same dimensions and location.
If you are having trouble locating your Plat of Survey, refer to these options:
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Closing Papers from Purchase of Property.
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Contacting the Mortgage Company.
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FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) Request with the City of Joliet City Clerk’s Office.
Note: This option may only yield results if the plat of survey was provided to the City of Joliet in the past for a building permit or a special zoning approval.
You may also try calling local surveying companies for a possible copy. If none of these options are successful in obtaining the Plat of Survey, you will have to hire a professional land surveyor to resurvey your lot. If you have any questions or concerns, please call the City of Joliet Building Division at 815-724-4070 or Zoning Department at 815-724-4055.
Note: The City of Joliet is not responsible for keeping plats of survey on file.
Please mark the placement of the proposed garage or carport on your plat of survey. The location and size will be reviewed by the Planning Division. Please use a writing utensil that is easy to see on the plat of survey.
Planning or Zoning Questions?
Email: zoning@joliet.gov or Call: 815-724-4055
Garage/Carport Permit Application [PDF]
Residential Accessory Structures Review Form [PDF] *Required*
Plumbing [PDF] (If Applicable)
Heating, Cooling, Refrigeration & Ventilation Systems [PDF] (If Applicable)
Electrical [PDF] (If Applicable)
Garage/ Carport Permit Packet [PDF]- Printable Garage/Carport Permit Information
Once you have completed the required forms and permit information, please email to permitapplication@joliet.gov or submit via the Building Department's drop box at Joliet City Hall.
Notice: If permit submissions are incomplete, and/or submitted without the required permit information and supporting documents, they will be returned to the applicant.
Permit Fee: $65 for up to $7,000 worth of work. |
Payment Options
Once your permit is approved and ready to be issued, you will receive an invoice via email. Please use one of the methods below to complete the payment process. When making payments, please reference the Application Reference Number near the top left corner of the invoice you will receive.
Option #1: By Phone (Credit/ Debit Card):
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Call: 815-724-3830 (you will speak with a person)
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Have the credit/debit card number ready
Provide the application reference number in the upper left corner of the invoice
Option #2: By Mail (Checks)
Send checks to:
Customer Service/ Building Permit
City of Joliet
150 W. Jefferson St.
Joliet, IL 60432
Address all checks to City of Joliet.
Include the application reference number from the invoice document on the memo line of your check.
Please include a copy of the invoice with mailed payments.
Option #3: Blue Drop Payment Box (Checks):
The blue payment drop box is located on the west side of Joliet City Hall, 150 W. Jefferson St., Joliet, IL.
Please follow the same directions as when mailing. Enclose payment in envelope, address envelope as if mailing. Include Customer Service/ Building Permit on first address line. Place payment in an envelope and address it to Customer Service / Building Permit. Include your application reference number from the invoice on the memo line of your check.
After The Payment
Once you have successfully paid for the permit, please notify the Building Department via the permitapplication@joliet.gov email address with the application reference number and address. Please note if you would like the permit emailed or mailed to a particular address.
The payment system is not automated and the Building Department does not receive notifications when payments are made. Building permits will not be issued in-person over the counter.