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Building permits in Darien, IL
In Darien, any structural, plumbing or electrical change needs a permit, and every contractor on the job must be registered with the City. Here is how it works.
What needs a permit
- Remodels that take down or put up a wall, or add or change electrical or plumbing. Wall changes need stamped plans or a letter from a licensed architect or structural engineer.
- Replacing cabinets with electrical or plumbing changes needs a drawing showing their locations.
- Decks, sheds, patios, driveways, roofs, air conditioners, sump pumps, generators, EV chargers and fences also need permits.
What does not
- Roof repairs, siding, soffits and fascia, and replacing only a furnace.
How to apply
- Apply online through the City's permit portal. Most permits need a plat of survey with the work drawn on it to scale.
- New homes, additions, alterations and sunrooms need architect-stamped plans.
- Every contractor listed on the application must be registered with the City. General contractors provide a certificate of insurance naming the City and a bond.
Review and inspections
- Simple permits like fences, roofs and driveway replacements are usually issued right away.
- Everything else goes through zoning or plan review, which takes about two to four weeks.
- You get a list of required inspections with the permit. Schedule each one by 2 p.m. the business day before.
Contact the village
Darien Community Development, 1702 Plainfield Road, Darien, IL 60561 · 630-353-8115
Summarized from the village's own pages in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the village before you start. Sources: Darien forms and permits · Darien building permit information packet.
Let us handle it
For projects we build in Darien, we tell you what the village requires, help prepare the paperwork and coordinate each inspection. More about our work in Darien.
Questions
Do I need a permit to finish a basement in Darien?
Remodels that take down or put up a wall, or add or change electrical or plumbing. Wall changes need stamped plans or a letter from a licensed architect or structural engineer. Replacing cabinets with electrical or plumbing changes needs a drawing showing their locations. Decks, sheds, patios, driveways, roofs, air conditioners, sump pumps, generators, EV chargers and fences also need permits.
Who applies for the permit?
For projects we build, we tell you what the village requires, help prepare the paperwork and coordinate the inspections.
Planning a project in Darien?