Is a permit required?
Naperville requires a permit for any elevated deck.
"A permit is required for the construction of any elevated deck structure."
Source: naperville.il.us
Replacing structural or safety parts of an existing deck (beams, joists, stairs, railings) also needs a permit.
"Permits are also required for the replacement of any structural or safety items on an existing deck including beams and joists, stairs, or railings."
Source: naperville.il.us
Naperville's general building permit guide lists building or replacing a deck as work needing a permit.
"Building or replacing a deck"
Source: naperville.il.us
What to bring
Naperville's deck design sheet says the floor framing plan must show joist size and spacing.
"Floor framing plan must indicate the proper size and spacing of the floor joists for your deck."
Source: naperville.il.us
How to apply
Deck permits are applied for in the city Civic Access online portal.
"To apply for a deck permit, please visit the Civic Access portal."
Source: naperville.il.us
What it costs
Naperville charges permit fees in stages and lets you pay online in the portal; the fee schedules are linked from its Building Permits page.
"Depending on the scope of the work, permit fees will be assessed at various points during the process."
Source: naperville.il.us
Footings and frost depth
Naperville requires deck piers to be 42 inches below grade, sized to the code table.
"Concrete postholes (piers) for decks in Naperville must be a sized per table R507.3.1 (or other approved method), 42" below grade."
Source: naperville.il.us
Railings and guards
Naperville requires a guardrail at least 36 inches high when the deck is more than 30 inches above grade.
"Guardrail height must be a minimum of 36" and is required if the deck is more than 30" above grade."
Source: naperville.il.us
Gaps in a Naperville guardrail must be too small for a 4 inch sphere to pass through.
"Baluster spacing must not allow passage of a 4" sphere through the opening."
Source: naperville.il.us
Inspections
Naperville inspects deck post holes before concrete is poured.
"Postholes (piers) must be inspected prior to pouring any concrete."
Source: naperville.il.us
Naperville lists the required inspections in the online portal and lets you schedule them there or by phone (option 1).
"Required inspections will be listed in the portal. Inspections can be scheduled through the online portal at any time, or by calling (630) 420-6100, option 1"
Source: naperville.il.us
Other rules
Underground electric service lines may not run under a deck, and deck posts must stay 18 inches to the side of them.
"Underground service conductors are not permitted under a deck or patio."
Source: naperville.il.us
Before anyone digs
Illinois law requires a call to JULIE, the state's one-call system, before digging deck footings. Call 811 or (800) 892-0123, or file online, at least 3 days before work starts. The call is free, and the locate is good for 25 days. On a hired job, the company doing the digging makes the call. More on Illinois deck rules
We are not the City of Naperville. Rules change, and some neighborhoods and HOAs have their own. Confirm with the city before you build. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
