A homeowner guide
The City of Joliet is serious about permits, inspections, and contractor registration. If you live in Joliet and you are planning a roof replacement, siding project, deck, or interior remodel, you will be working with the Building & Inspectional Services Division.
This guide explains, in plain language, what Joliet requires and why it matters for your home.
1. Who sets the building codes in Joliet?
The Building & Inspectional Services Division reviews permits and enforces the model codes that Joliet has officially adopted (City of Joliet, 2024a; City of Joliet, 2024f).
Joliet currently enforces:
International Building Code (IBC) 2015
International Residential Code (IRC) 2015
International Fire Prevention Code 2015
International Mechanical Code 2015
International Fuel Gas Code 2015
Current Illinois State Plumbing Code
Current Illinois State Energy Code (2021 IEC)
​National Electrical Code (NEC) 2014
(City of Joliet, 2024a; City of Joliet, 2024fn)​
In short: Joliet uses modern ICC codes with local amendments, and the City’s Building Division is the authority that interprets and enforces them.
2. When do you need a permit in Joliet?
According to Joliet’s Building Code Information page, the city requires a building permit:
“…for all new construction and for any additions, modifications, or alterations to existing buildings, including alterations or changes in the mechanical or electrical equipment” (City of Joliet, 2024a).
That means you can assume you need a permit for:
Roof replacement or major roof repair
Siding replacement
Decks, porches, and additions
Basement finishing
Structural changes
Electrical or mechanical work
Most significant interior remodels
Permit applications are submitted either by email or via drop-off using the city’s official forms (City of Joliet, 2024b).
3. What codes Joliet uses (and what that means for you)
Joliet’s adopted codes list is published both on the City’s website and summarized by third-party code directories (City of Joliet, 2024a; BuildingRecords.us, 2024). Together, they confirm that:
All structural work (roof framing, decks, additions) must meet IBC/IRC 2015.
Mechanical, fuel gas, and HVAC work must meet the 2015 IMC and IFGC.
Plumbing must comply with the Illinois State Plumbing Code.
Electrical work must meet the 2014 NEC.
Energy efficiency requirements come from the 2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code (IEC).
(City of Joliet, 2024a; City of Joliet, 2024f)
For homeowners: This is why your contractor talks about “code-compliant ventilation,” “proper footing depth,” or “WRB behind siding.” They are not just being picky; they are meeting adopted codes.
4. Roofing in Joliet
Permit + code compliance
Because Joliet requires permits for “additions, modifications, or alterations to existing buildings,” roofing that involves replacement or structural changes falls under permit and code review (City of Joliet, 2024a).
Roof structure and sheathing must meet load and fastening standards under IRC/IBC 2015.
If rafters, trusses, or structural elements are changed, plans may need to be sealed by a design professional, consistent with IBC practice (City of Joliet, 2024a; City of Joliet, 2024f).
State roofing license requirement
On top of local code, Illinois law requires anyone doing roofing work as a business to hold a state roofing license under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act (225 ILCS 335/9) (Illinois Compiled Statutes, 2024).
It is unlawful to perform roofing work in Illinois without being licensed as a roofing contractor (Illinois Compiled Statutes, 2024).
Practical takeaway: In Joliet, a roof job should involve:
A city permit
A state-licensed roofing contractor
Work done to IBC/IRC standards
5. Siding and exterior walls
Joliet’s adopted IBC/IRC require a water-resistive barrier (WRB) behind most exterior cladding systems, plus proper flashing and fastening to control moisture and wind (International Code Council, 2021, as summarized in Barricade Building Products, 2020).
Because Joliet enforces IBC/IRC 2015 (City of Joliet, 2024a; City of Joliet, 2024f):
Siding projects must include a WRB behind the siding.
Windows and doors must be properly flashed.
Fasteners must meet the manufacturer’s and code requirements.
For homeowners, that means “tear off siding and just nail new panels on bare wood” is not a code-compliant solution.
6. Decks, porches, and other exterior structures
Joliet’s general rule is that any addition or alteration requires a permit (City of Joliet, 2024a), which includes decks and porches.
Footings and frost depth
Illinois deck-building guidance and regional code examples show that deck footings must extend below the frost line, which is typically 42 inches in this region (City of Wheaton, 2024; Hard Decks, n.d.).
So while Joliet’s site does not spell out “42 inches” on the main code page, it uses the same ICC climate criteria as nearby suburbs, and standard practice in northern Illinois is:
Concrete piers/footings at minimum 42 inches below grade
Guardrails on decks more than 30 inches above grade
(Hard Decks, n.d.)
Plans and inspections
Deck projects in Joliet must submit proper permit forms and will be scheduled for inspections through the Building & Inspectional Services Division (City of Joliet, 2024b).
7. Contractor registration and protection from scams
Joliet is very vocal about contractor fraud.
Registration requirements
The City’s Contractor Information page states:
All contractors must be insured, licensed, and bonded to their trade.
Contractors must complete registration with the Building & Inspectional Services Division and provide insurance certificates naming the City of Joliet as certificate holder (City of Joliet, 2024c).
Third-party licensing guidance reflects similar requirements: certificate of insurance, minimum liability limits, and trade-specific bonds for certain work types (Procore, 2025).
Official warning about unregistered contractors
In July 2024, the City of Joliet issued a public notice warning residents about contractor scams and reminding them to:
Verify the contractor is registered with the City
Insist on seeing a city-approved permit before work starts
Ensure the permit is posted in a front window (City of Joliet, 2024d)
Bottom line: If a contractor does not want to pull a permit or cannot prove they are registered with Joliet, that is a red flag.
8. Permit fees and inspection process
The City explains that permit fees are based on the valuation of construction and are finalized after plan review (City of Joliet, 2024e).
You submit completed forms and required documents (City of Joliet, 2024b).
The Building Department reviews plans for code compliance.
Once approved, they notify you of applicable fees and payment options (City of Joliet, 2024e).
A permit is not issued until contractor registration is complete and fees are paid (City of Joliet, 2024e).
After permit issuance, inspections are scheduled with the Building & Inspectional Services Division (City of Joliet, 2024b; City of Joliet, 2024e).
9. What this all means for a Joliet homeowner
If you live in Joliet and you are planning a project:
Assume you need a permit for any real construction, remodel, or exterior upgrade.
Work only with contractors who are registered with the City and, for roofing, licensed by the State.
Expect the work to follow IBC/IRC 2015, NEC 2014, and Illinois plumbing/energy codes.
Plan for inspections. They are built into the process to protect you and your home.
Do not skip steps to “save time.” Joliet has a clear enforcement framework, and failing inspections or avoiding permits can cost more in the long run.
References
Barricade Building Products. (2020). House wrap code requirements: Understanding the IRC & IBC. https://barricadebp.com/news/house-wrap-code-requirements
BuildingRecords.us. (2024). City of Joliet, IL – Building department information. https://www.buildingrecords.us/municipalities/il/joliet
City of Joliet. (2024a). Building code information. https://www.joliet.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-inspectional-services-division/building-code-information
City of Joliet. (2024b). Building permit forms. https://www.joliet.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-inspectional-services-division/building-permit-forms
City of Joliet. (2024c). Contractor information. https://www.joliet.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-inspectional-services-division/contractor-information
City of Joliet. (2024d). Joliet Building Department warns residents of contractor scams, encourages permit verification. https://www.joliet.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4799/41
City of Joliet. (2024e). Permit fee information. https://www.joliet.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-inspectional-services-division/building-permit-forms/permit-fee-information
City of Joliet. (2024f). Building & Inspectional Services Division – Adopted codes overview. https://www.joliet.gov/government/departments/community-development/building-inspectional-services-division/building-code-information
City of Wheaton. (2024). 2024 International Residential Code amendments. https://wheaton.il.us/1203/2024-International-Residential-Code-Amen
Hard Decks. (n.d.). Deck building codes in Illinois: How your deck will be safely built. https://www.harddecks.com/deck-building-codes
Illinois Compiled Statutes. (2024). Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335/9. https://law.justia.com/codes/illinois/chapter-225/act-225-ilcs-335
Procore. (2025). How to get an Illinois contractor license. https://www.procore.com/library/illinois-contractors-license
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