If you’re planning to build or replace a deck in Glendale Heights, you need a permit from the Village before any work begins. This guide covers what the Community Development Department requires — from the documents you’ll prepare to the inspections that follow. It also addresses impervious surface considerations, which matter in Glendale Heights because the Village operates under active stormwater management requirements and your project must stay clear of easements and comply with lot grading plans on file with the Village.
Does My Deck Project Require a Permit in Glendale Heights?
Yes. The Village of Glendale Heights Community Development Department requires a permit before you construct any deck. The Village’s guidance is emphatic: secure a permit before you start to build. Decks, patios, pergolas, gazebos, and three-season rooms all require a permit. This applies to new construction and to projects that alter or rebuild an existing structure.
Glendale Heights enforces the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) with local amendments, the 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code, and a locally amended electrical code. The Village’s adopted codes meet the statewide minimum baseline enacted under Illinois Public Act 103-0510 (effective January 1, 2025).
Where to Apply
| Detail | Information |
| Department | Community Development Department |
| Address | 300 Civic Center Plaza, Glendale Heights, IL 60139 (first floor of Civic Center) |
| Phone | (630) 260-6030 |
| Village Hall Main | (630) 260-6000 |
| permits@glendaleheights.org | |
| Fax | (630) 260-1317 |
| Hours | Monday – Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM |
| Submission Methods | In person, mail, drop box, fax, or email |
| Permit Review Time | Minimum 5 working days for initial review |
The Village also maintains an online building permit portal (Click2Gov) for scheduling inspections and viewing results.
Who can apply: Applications must be signed by the property owner of record or by a licensed contractor under contract to do the work. Family members, realtors, and attorneys cannot sign without documented Power of Attorney.
Contractor Registration Requirement
Before any permit can be issued, the contractor must be registered with the Village. Registration requires filing a $20,000 surety bond with the Community Development Department prior to permit issuance. Electricians and plumbers are exempt from the Village bond but must provide current state registration. Roofing contractors must hold an active Illinois state license.
If you’re acting as your own general contractor as a homeowner, contact the Community Development Department at (630) 260-6030 to clarify what owner-builder documentation is required for your project.
What to Submit with Your Deck Permit Application
The Village publishes a Deck Permit Handout that specifies exactly what must accompany your application. The Village will not process an incomplete permit package. Required documents include:
- A completed Building Permit Application
- A Plat of Survey showing the proposed deck location with all dimensions and distances to every lot line
- A detailed construction drawing of the deck including: footings, posts, beams, joists, decking, stairs, and railings — with all dimensions and member sizes specified
- A letter of approval from your homeowners association (if applicable) — required at time of submittal
- Name, address, and phone number of the licensed and bonded contractor installing the deck
Projects over $10,000 in estimated construction cost require plans prepared and sealed by a licensed structural engineer or architect. Contact the Community Development Department to confirm this threshold before preparing your drawings.
For pergolas, gazebos, or canopies: download the Pergolas, Gazebos and Canopies Handout. For patios: download the Driveway, Patios and Walks Handout. Use the correct handout for your project type before preparing your package.
Deck Code Requirements in Glendale Heights
The Village’s Deck Handout specifies the minimum construction standards that apply to all residential decks. These are the requirements that inspectors verify at each stage.
| Requirement | Glendale Heights Standard |
| Permitted location | Rear yard only; front yard open porches limited to 20% of required front yard |
| Setbacks | Minimum 3 feet from all lot lines; completely off all utility and drainage easements |
| Footings | Required for any deck attached to a dwelling; minimum 42″ deep, minimum 8″ wide |
| Live load | All decks must be designed for 40 lbs per sq ft minimum |
| Guardrails | Required on all decks more than 30″ above grade; minimum 36″ height; intermediate rails must prevent passage of a 4″ sphere |
| Handrails | Required on stairways with more than 2 risers; 34″–38″ above nosing of tread; returned or terminated in posts |
| Stairs | Minimum 36″ wide; maximum 7¾” risers; minimum 10″ treads |
| Cantilever limits | Joists max 2 ft overhang; beams max 1 ft overhang; special design required for more |
| Ledger attachment | Minimum 3/8″ lag bolts into rim joist or framing; all cuts flashed and weatherproofed |
| Fasteners | Stainless steel, high-strength aluminum, or hot-dipped galvanized only |
| Lumber | Naturally durable (redwood, cedar) or approved pressure-treated wood required for all exposed members |
| Framing connectors | Approved joist hangers or framing anchors required where members frame into ledgers or beams |
Post sizing, beam spans, and joist spans are specified in the Deck Handout by member size and spacing. Download the handout and use its span tables when designing your deck — inspectors reference these same tables.
Impervious Surface and Stormwater Considerations
This topic catches Glendale Heights homeowners off guard more often than any single code requirement. The Village is an MS-4 community — it owns and operates a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System regulated under the Clean Water Act. The Village has active stormwater management obligations that affect how much hardscape can be added to a residential lot.
Here is what this means practically for deck and patio projects:
- Decks must be completely clear of all utility and drainage easements. This is listed as a hard requirement in the Village’s Deck Handout. Easements on your plat of survey are binding — no part of the deck structure, including footings, may encroach on them.
- A lot grading plan governs your property. The Village requires that all new construction conform to the approved lot grading plan on file for your subdivision. A building permit cannot be issued if the proposed project conflicts with the approved grading plan.
- Patios and hard surfaces increase impervious coverage. Unlike elevated decks, concrete or paver patios add to your lot’s impervious surface total. Glendale Heights participates in the DuPage County Countywide Stormwater and Floodplain Ordinance, which may impose additional requirements for significant new impervious area. Contact the Community Development Department at (630) 260-6030 before finalizing a large patio footprint to confirm whether any stormwater certification or review is required.
- Flood hazard area check. Glendale Heights has designated flood hazard zones under FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps. If your property is in or adjacent to a flood zone, additional review and documentation may be required. Check the Village’s Flood Information page or contact Community Development to confirm whether your lot is affected.
If you’re unsure how your proposed project relates to your lot’s grading plan, easements, or stormwater requirements, calling the Community Development Department at (630) 260-6030 before preparing drawings is the fastest way to avoid a redesign.
Required Inspections
A minimum of two inspections are required for every deck. Schedule all inspections with 24 hours advance notice by calling (630) 260-6030 or through the Click2Gov online portal.
- Footing Inspection — Required before any concrete is poured. The inspector verifies that post holes meet minimum 42″ depth and 8″ width requirements, and that the location is consistent with your approved plans and clear of all easements.
- Final Inspection — Completed when all construction is finished, including decking, railings, stairs, and any required grading work. The deck cannot be used until the final inspection passes.
If your project includes electrical work (lighting, outlets) or plumbing (outdoor kitchen, gas line), additional inspections are required for those trades. Your permit will specify which inspections apply. Note also that once installed, the Village requires decks to be kept maintained — surface coatings must be kept free of loose and flaking paint, and damaged components must be repaired or replaced.
Before You Dig: Call J.U.L.I.E.
Illinois law requires you to call J.U.L.I.E. at least 48 hours before any digging. Dial 811 or visit illinois1call.com. Available 24/7. Utility lines across your property and easements will be marked before you break ground — a particularly important step given Glendale Heights’ requirement to stay clear of utility and drainage easements.
Quick Reference: Glendale Heights Deck Permit Checklist
- Download and review the Village’s Deck Permit Handout before preparing drawings
- Locate your plat of survey and identify all easements — the deck must be completely clear of all utility and drainage easements
- Confirm your property is not in a flood hazard zone (check with Community Development if uncertain)
- Check whether your property has an HOA and obtain written architectural approval before submitting
- Prepare completed Building Permit Application
- Prepare Plat of Survey with proposed deck location, all dimensions, and distances to all lot lines
- Prepare detailed construction drawing showing all structural members (footings, posts, beams, joists, decking, stairs, railings) with sizes and dimensions
- Confirm whether project cost exceeds $10,000 (engineer/architect seal required if so)
- Confirm contractor is registered with the Village and has filed the required $20,000 surety bond
- Obtain and attach HOA approval letter (if applicable) — required at time of submittal
- Submit complete package to Community Development (in person, mail, drop box, fax, or email)
- Pay permit fee upon approval
- Call J.U.L.I.E. at 811 at least 48 hours before digging
- Schedule Inspection #1 (footing) before pouring concrete — 24-hour notice required
- Schedule Inspection #2 (final) before using the deck — 24-hour notice required
- Confirm any additional trade inspections (electrical, plumbing) if applicable
For perspective on how this process compares to a neighboring DuPage County community — including how HOA approval and Village permit timelines typically overlap — see our full walkthrough of the Bloomingdale deck permit and HOA coordination process.
Once your permit is in review and you’re ready to think through materials, our overview of where deck contractors in the western suburbs source lumber and composite decking covers the local supply options from DuPage County eastward.
Building a Deck in Glendale Heights? Talk to Platinum Decking.
Platinum Decking builds decks and patios throughout DuPage County — managing permit applications, contractor registration, and the complete build. Call us at (224) 634-4345 to talk through your project.