Bolthole Index

DuPage County, Illinois

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Glendale Heights, Illinois

The Village of Glendale Heights, in DuPage County, Illinois, requires building permits for most construction projects and issues them through its own Community Development department1. The village also administers its own zoning code, so DuPage County's unincorporated-area rules do not apply inside village limits2. Septic and well questions were not confirmed for addresses inside the village; the DuPage County Health Department runs the county's private sewage disposal program3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most construction projects, issued by the Village of Glendale Heights1
Zoning
Village zoning code (Title 11) administers all land inside village limits2
Minimum lot (R-1 / R-2)
12,000 sq. ft. in R-1; 8,400 sq. ft. in R-245
Building code
2021 International Residential Code with local amendments6
Inspections
Most projects are inspected by village staff7
Septic
DuPage County Health Department runs the county's private sewage program; village-specific rule not confirmed3

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Glendale Heights Community Development

Building permit applications and inspections inside Glendale Heights; call with questions about whether a project needs a permit

630-260-6030

300 Civic Center Drive, Glendale Heights, Illinois 60139

Septic permits

DuPage County Health Department, Environmental Health Division

Private sewage disposal (septic) system program for DuPage County

630-682-7400

111 N County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Glendale Heights means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Glendale Heights, Illinois?

Yes, for most projects. The Village of Glendale Heights states that building permits are required for most construction projects1. Anyone unsure whether a project qualifies can call the Community Development department at 630-260-6030 before starting8. The village adopted the 2021 International Residential Code and other model codes, with local amendments, as its minimum building standards6. A majority of projects also need inspections by village staff, and the required inspections are explained when the permit is picked up7.

Who issues building permits in Glendale Heights, and how do you apply?

The Community Development department on the first floor of the Civic Center issues building permits inside the village8. Applications come from the owner of record or from a contractor registered with the village acting as the owner's agent19. Plans must be prepared and sealed by a licensed structural engineer or architect when a project costs more than $10,00010. Fee amounts are set in a separate village building fee ordinance11. Because the village issues its own building permits, the DuPage County Building & Zoning Department, which serves unincorporated land only, is the wrong counter for a Glendale Heights address.

What does Glendale Heights zoning allow, and what are the setbacks?

Zoning inside Glendale Heights is set by the village's own zoning code, Title 11, not by DuPage County2. The code lists agriculture and estate (AE) and several residence districts, R-1 through R-512. In the R-1 single-family district, the minimum lot is 12,000 sq. ft., with 30 ft. front, 10 ft. side and 40 ft. rear yards413. In the R-2 district, the minimum lot is 8,400 sq. ft., with 25 ft. front, 10 ft. side and 30 ft. rear yards514. A single-family house in either district may reach 30 ft. or 2.5 stories, whichever is less1516. Vacation rental units are a conditional use only in R-117. We could not confirm the rules for RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwellings or minimum house size; ask Community Development.

How do septic and well permits work in Glendale Heights?

We could not confirm a septic or well rule specific to addresses inside Glendale Heights. The DuPage County Health Department runs the county's private sewage disposal program3 and is the office to ask whether a given address may use a septic system at all18. Well permits in DuPage County are handled by the health department's Plan Review staff at 630-221-704519. Illinois requires a permit from the state health department or an approved local health department before a new well is built, modified or sealed20. Most buyers here should confirm public sewer and water availability with the village before closing.

Building a home in Glendale Heights: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm the lot's zoning district and its lot-size, setback and height limits with Community Development2.
  2. Call Community Development to confirm your project needs a building permit8.
  3. Prepare plans; a licensed structural engineer or architect must seal them above the project-cost threshold10.
  4. Apply as the owner of record or through a registered contractor9.
  5. Pay the fee the village quotes when it calls to say the permit is ready10.
  6. Schedule the inspections the village lists when you pick up the permit7.
  7. Ask Community Development whether a certificate of occupancy is required; we could not confirm this for the village.

What stays with DuPage County, and what to check before you buy?

DuPage County's building and zoning rules cover unincorporated land only; for land outside village limits, see the DuPage County page. Inside the village, the county health department keeps the private sewage and well programs319. A driveway onto a state route needs an Illinois Department of Transportation permit21. DuPage County's effective property tax rate is about 2.1%22, and the median property tax bill is $7,833 a year23. We did not confirm the village's floodplain rules; ask Community Development whether a lot is mapped.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm whether any addresses inside Glendale Heights use private septic or wells; ask the DuPage County Health Department before relying on either3.
  • RV occupancy, tiny homes, accessory dwellings and minimum house size were not confirmed in the village code; ask Community Development at 630-260-6030 before you buy8.
  • Search results for building permits often show DuPage County's department, which serves unincorporated areas only and not Glendale Heights addresses2.

Sources

  1. Building Permits - Village of Glendale Heights (Community Development) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  2. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  3. Sewage, quoted and re-checked
  4. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  5. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  6. Building Permits - Village of Glendale Heights (Community Development) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permits - Village of Glendale Heights (Community Development) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  8. Village of Glendale Heights Community Development (glendaleheights.org)
  9. Building Permits - Village of Glendale Heights (Community Development) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Permits - Village of Glendale Heights (Community Development) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Permits - Village of Glendale Heights (Community Development) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  12. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  13. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  14. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  15. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  16. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  17. Glendale Heights Code Title 11 Zoning Regulations, Chapter 9 Residence Districts (Article B R-1, Article C R-2) (Village of Glendale Heights), quoted and re-checked
  18. DuPage County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (dupagehealth.org)
  19. Water, quoted and re-checked
  20. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 23, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Glendale Heights

Village of Glendale Heights’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Most construction projects inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • Page says to call Community Development (630-260-6030) if unsure whether a project needs a permit.
    • Permit applications are accepted from the owner of record or a registered contractor acting as authorized agent.
    “in order to protect property values and public safety, building permits are required for most construction projects.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-applicants for building permits inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • Page describes owner-signed applications under IBC 105.1 (owner of record, or power of attorney with proof); this is an application path, not a stated permit exemption.
    • Contractors must be registered with the village to submit permit applications.
    “contractors must be registered with the village to submit permit applications.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    New construction, alteration and repair inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • Adopted with local amendments: 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Existing Building Code, 2021 International Fire Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, 2021 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2020 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code, 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code, 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code.
    • The page says some permit addenda still cite older code editions (for example 2006 IBC) and the adoption list is the current reference; the adopting ordinance itself was not opened.
    “the village of glendale heights has adopted the following codes (with local amendments) to establish minimum building standards and ensure safe and sound construction within the community:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Most construction projects inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • Inspections are by village staff; required inspections are stated when the permit is picked up.
    • Page notes COVID-19-era inspection guidelines on an inspection requirement form (not opened).
    “a majority of construction projects require inspections by village staff.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    All land inside Glendale Heights village limits; the Village's own Title 11 Zoning Regulations administer zoning there

    • Village zoning code is Title 11 Zoning Regulations (chapters 1-13) of the American Legal Publishing code, current through ord. 2026-35.
    • Conditional uses are approved by the Village corporate authorities after Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation (11-9B-3 wording).
    “title 10 building regulations title 11 zoning regulations chapter 1 zoning title, purpose, application and interpretation”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • The code lists chapter 8 zoning districts and map and chapter 9 residence districts, including AE Agriculture and Estate, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4 and R-5 districts.
    • Only the R-1 and R-2 district dimensional tables were opened; other district standards are not recorded here.
    “chapter 8 zoning districts and map chapter 9 residence districts article a. ae agriculture and estate district article b. r-1 single-family detached residence district”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family detached dwellings in the R-1 single-family detached residence district (Title 11, Chapter 9, Article B) inside Glendale Heights village

    • Lot area applies to single-family use; 'other' uses in R-1 are also 12,000 sq. ft.

    minimum lot area (single-family): >= 12000 sq ft

    “11-9b-4: bulk, space and yard requirements: a. minimum lot area: 1. single-family 12,000 sq. ft. 2. other 12,000 sq. ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Principal buildings in the R-1 single-family detached residence district inside Glendale Heights village

    • Accessory structures have separate limits (rear-yard placement, 35 percent rear-yard coverage, 17 ft/1 story maximum height) in the same section; not recorded here as setbacks.
    • Corner side yard listed with front yard.

    front yard setback: >= 30 ft (front/corner side) · side yard setback: >= 10 ft · rear yard setback: >= 40 ft

    “c. minimum yards: 1. front/corner side 30 ft. 2. side 10 ft. 3. rear 40 ft.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal single-family structures in the R-1 single-family detached residence district inside Glendale Heights village

    • Other principal uses in R-1 are limited to 35 ft.
    • Accessory structures: maximum 17 ft/1 story per 11-9B-4(f).

    maximum height of principal single-family structure: <= 30 ft (or 2.5 stories, whichever is less)

    “d. maximum height of principal structure: 1. single-family 30 ft./2.5 stories, whichever is less”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land division inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • The code contains Title 12 Subdivision Regulations; only the table of contents was read, so the substantive subdivision rules are not recorded here.
    “title 12 subdivision regulations title 13 flood control title 14 telecommunications systems and wireless services”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Vacation rental units only in the R-1 single-family detached residence district inside Glendale Heights village, as a conditional use

    • Listed among R-1 conditional uses in 11-9B-3, which requires a conditional use permit after Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation and public hearing.
    • Not checked: whether R-2 or other districts list vacation rentals, and any separate vacation-rental license rules.
    “temporary leasing of public school property, pending action on its disposition or reuse for school purposes for permitted uses or conditional uses in the district in which it is located. vacation rental unit.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Building permit fees inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • Fee amounts are in a separate 'current building fee ordinance' PDF linked from the permits page; that PDF was not opened, so no dollar amounts are recorded here.
    “please see the current building fee ordinance (pdf) for permit fees.”
  • Permit processPublished

    Building permit application and review inside Glendale Heights village limits

    • Applications may also be sent by mail, drop box, fax (630-260-1317) or email; email attachments over 25 MB require arranging alternate submission.
    • When a project cost is more than $10,000, plans must be prepared by and sealed by a licensed structural engineer or architect.
    • Village calls when permit is ready and states the fee; plan changes may be required; homeowners association approval letter required where applicable.

    project cost threshold for sealed plans: > 10000 USD (plans must be prepared by and sealed by a licensed structural engineer or architect)

    “permits must be applied for at the community development department located on the first floor of the civic center, 300 civic center drive, glendale heights, illinois 60139.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Glendale Heights or DuPage County directly.

  • Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Glendale Heights village
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum habitable area for a single-family dwelling inside Glendale Heights village
  • Lot coverage — Maximum lot or building coverage for principal buildings inside Glendale Heights village
  • Living in an RV — Long-term RV occupancy on private land inside Glendale Heights village
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Glendale Heights village
12 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Glendale Heights publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. DuPage County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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