Single-Family Residence

This informational guideline has been developed to identify the minimal submittal requirements for a permit application to build a new Single Family Residence. The information provided contains, and is not all-inclusive to the City of Wheaton’s adopted Building Codes, Ordinances, and inspections required for this type of project. Please review this information and call the phone numbers provided should you have any questions.

Required Submittals
The following documents need to be submitted to initiate a review of your project:

1. Building Permit Application - When filling out a Building Application for Permit, include all required information that is pertinent to the proposed scope of work such as site address, description of work, contractors to be used on the job and their respective costs per trade, the total cost of work to be performed, complete applicant contact information, etc.
2. See Contractor Requirements.
3. Engineering - Application for Permit - Refer to document titled Engineering Application for Permit.
4. Curb/Driveway Permit Application - Please refer to the document titled Curb/Driveway and Public Walk Permit.
5. Stormwater Management - See Stormwater Management Application.
6. Grading Plan Requirements Type II - Please refer to the document titled Grading Plan Requirements Plan Type II for specific requirements Please submit two (2) copies. Please call our Development Engineer at 630-260-2040 should you need further information.
7. Combustion Air Calculation Worksheet - To be completed only if calculations are not included as part of the building permit. Please refer to the document titled Combustion Air Calculation Worksheet for additional information.
8. Water Service Line (Sizing) - The Illinois State Plumbing Code has specific requirements as to how many fixtures within a residence can be served by specific water service sizes. (Please refer to document titled Water Service Line - Sizing) This form will calculate the proposed “fixture count” for your home. Please submit this completed form with your building plans.
    
   After this form is then submitted to the Building Department, it will be forwarded to our Water Department to determine the required size of the water service for your house. Based on their records, they will determine if either the existing water service line for your home is adequate in size to remain in compliance with State law, or if the water service line from the main to the house needs to be replaced with a larger diameter water service. This is a variance process and can be pursued to obtain a waiver for a required water service upgrade through the State of Illinois. You may call our Water Department at 630-260-2090 should you need additional information.
9. Sewer Permit - The sanitary sewer system in Wheaton drains to and is serviced by the Wheaton Sanitary District or DuPage County, see attached map to determine which agency you will need to contact to obtain a sewer permit from them. Each agency has its own submittal requirements available on their web page, once approved please provide a copy of permit, or copy of the email if "no permit required" from Wheaton Sanitary District, to the Wheaton Building Department.
   
   Wheaton Sanitary District: 1 S 649 Shaffner Rd. Wheaton, Il 60189, 630-668-1515, e-mail completed application to permits@wsd.dst.il.us

   DuPage County - Public Works Department: 421 N. County Farm Rd. Wheaton, Illinois 60187, 630-407-6800, Fax 630-407-6701, publicworks@ec.dupageco.org

   Addition to a single-family dwelling, less than 800 sq. ft. does not require a sewer permit.

10. Architectural Plan Requirements
    Provide two (2) copies of Architectural Plans that indicate the following information:

Plan View Detail:

• All walls, windows, doors, stairs, kitchen areas, bathrooms, fireplaces, garages, decks or landings, porches, stoops, and any other pertinent structural items;
• Framing member sizes, spacing, species, span, and direction. Include all other pertinent data (such as specified point-load bearing members, etc.) that will be necessary to complete a comprehensive plan review;
• Location of the electrical service panel and the size of service;
• All electrical receptacles, lighting, switches, smoke alarms, and all other electrical appliances.
• All proposed plumbing fixtures (include sump and sanitary ejector pits, as well as roughed-in plumbing for future use);
• Location and capacities of the furnaces and hot water heaters, also indicate the HVAC supply and return vent locations;
• Required escape windows in all sleeping rooms and finished basements (include window well specifications for basement windows);
• Light and Vent calculations for all of the rooms within and affected by the proposed scope of work;
• Design loads utilized in the design of the home;

Cross Section Detail:

• Footing dimensions and depth below grade;
• Foundation wall materials, thickness, reinforcing, dampproofing, and drain tile (if applicable);
• Basement floor materials, thickness, vapor barrier, and stone base;
• Floor joist size, species & grade, spacing, floor sheathing specifications, sill plate size, anchor bolt size, and spacing;
• Wall heights (both exterior frame and foundation walls);
• Size and spacing of the wall studs; top and bottom plate specifications;
• Fireblocking materials and technique;
• R-value and the location of the required insulation;
• Exterior and interior wall finishes and materials;
• Rafter and collar tie sizes, species & grade, and spacing;
• Ceiling joist size, species & grade, and spacing;
• Roof sheathing, ice & water shield, and roofing material specifications.

Stair Detail:

• Riser height (maximum 7-3/4”) and tread depth (10” minimum measured from the nosing of the treads);
• Minimum stairway height (minimum 6’-8” measured vertically from the nosing of the treads);
• Guardrail details (minimum 36” in height, spindles spaced so that a 4” sphere cannot pass through);
• Stair handrail details (must be 34”-38” above the nosing of the treads, extend the entire length of the stair run, and must comply with the graspability requirements).

Elevations Detail:

• All of the elevations for the proposed residence;
• Overall height of the proposed residence from grade, as well as foundation depths below grade;
• All material indications, lighting fixtures, roof ventilation, etc.

Roof Plan Detail:

• Rafter sizes, spacing, and direction;
• Hip, valley, and ridge rafter sizes;
• Ventilation specifications (type, number, location);
• Any other specialized installations that are present for the home (such as fire-rated sheathing at partition walls in duplexes).

Plumbing Isometric Plans for both Supply and Waste/Vent systems must indicate:

• Piping materials, sizes, locations, fixtures, floor drains, hot water heater, ejector pit/overhead sewer, shutoffs, and any other pertinent items that are integral parts of the respective systems.

Adopted Building Codes
See information titled Adopted Building Codes that identify codes that may be applicable to your construction project.

Other Governmental Agencies
The following document must be obtained from the following outside government agency and submitted prior to the issuance of any Single-Family Residence permit. For further information on these items, please contact the offices for these agencies directly at the numbers listed below.

• DuPage County Impact Fee receipt. This can be obtained from the DuPage County offices located at 421 County Farm Road, Wheaton, Illinois 60187. 630-407-6500.

Significant Codes - Building
Demolition and Construction Regulations
During construction, it is important that you inform your workers to abide by the Codes and Ordinances of the City of Wheaton, especially those that are identified in the Demolition and Construction Regulations Guideline.

Smoke Alarms
The 2018 International Residential Code requires that Smoke Alarms are required to be installed within each sleeping area, in the hallway directly adjacent to sleeping areas, and one per floor minimum (including the basement). The Smoke Alarms are all required to be powered by a commercial power source, interconnected so that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms, and each alarm must have a battery backup. (2018 IRC R314 - Smoke Alarms)

Heat Detector
Heat Detectors are required to be installed in any integral garage or attached garage. The heat detector shall receive primary power from the building wiring, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power from a battery. The heat detector shall be interconnected with the smoke alarm system in such a manner that the activation of one alarm will activate all of the alarms in the individual unit. Wheaton Ordinance modifying 2018 IRC R314.8

Egress Windows
The 2018 International Residential Code (2018 IRC R310.6; Wheaton Ordinance) requires that each sleeping area must have a minimum of one egress window located within the room. Basements with habitable space are also required to have at least one emergency egress window. When a sleeping room with the required egress window is present in a finished basement, that window is adequate to serve the remaining adjoining non-sleeping room areas of the basement. The specifications are as follows:

• Minimum 5.7 square feet clear opening with the normal operation of the window;
• Minimum clear opening height of 24”;
• Minimum clear opening width of 20”;
• Maximum sill height of 44” above the finished floor;
• No special knowledge, hardware or equipment required to operate the window;
• A basement egress window requires a minimum 3’x3’ clear area within escape well. If the escape well is greater than 44” below grade in-depth, a permanent ladder must be mounted to the side of the window well. (2018 IRC R310.6; Wheaton Ordinance).

Overhead Sewer
As per Wheaton Ordinance, Overhead Sanitary sewer service is required in all new Single Family Residences. Please indicate the proposed location for the sanitary pit on the required plumbing plan diagram.
(Wheaton Ordinance O-2020-05; Section 22-17 Wheaton Municipal Code).

Combustion Air
The 2018 International Residential Code requires that anytime gas-fired mechanical equipment is placed in a confined space or within a structure deemed of “unusually tight construction, makeup combustion air that is obtained exclusively from the exterior of the structure must be provided to allow for the proper operation of the mechanical equipment. Please refer to the document titled Combustion Air Calculation Form in order to determine the required size of each of the supply vents (one opening must be within 12” of the ceiling, the other within 12” of the bottom of the enclosure) that must be installed. (2018 IRC M1703.2, 2018 IRC M1703.2.1 - Combustion Air)

Insulation Requirements
The 2018 International Residential Code states that the following R-values are required for the specific structural elements that are listed as required to be insulated:

• Exterior Walls: R-20 or R13(Cavity) + R5(Continuous)
• Ceilings separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned spaces, as well as Cathedral Rafters: R-49
• Crawlspace Walls: R-15(Continuous) or R19(Cavity)
• Basement Walls: R-10(Continuous) or R13(Cavity)
• Ductwork running through unconditioned spaces: R-6

The method for obtaining these R-values must be specifically indicated on the plans. These R-values must be obtained independently of any other structural components other than the insulation itself. Exposed insulation must have a flame-spread index not to exceed 25 and an accompanying smoke-developed index not to exceed 450. The vapor barrier is to be installed on the warm side of the perimeter wall. (2018 IRC N1102.1.1)

Significant Codes - Zoning
See the document titled Zoning Requirements for Residential Districts.

Permit Fees
For associated Planning, Engineering, and Building fees, please refer to Appendix B7 Fee Schedule per the Wheaton City Code - Community Development Fees.

For associated Sewer and Water fees, please refer to Appendix B8 Fee Schedule per the Wheaton City Code - Public Works/Sewer & Water Fees.

Inspections
The inspections listed here are required for all Residential Addition Remodeling projects. Additional inspections may be needed based upon the scope of work for your project. A complete list of your required inspections will be listed on the Plan Approval Notice that will be attached to the approved plans.

To Schedule an Inspection
Please call 630-260-2050 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Plumbing inspections are available on Tuesday or Thursday only. Please allow for a minimum of 24 hours' notice when scheduling inspections. Inspections must be scheduled no later than 3:30 p.m. the day before the desired inspection date. Inspection Scheduling Guideline.

Demolition and Construction Regulations
During construction, it is important that you inform your workers to abide by the Codes and Ordinances of the City of Wheaton, especially those that are identified in the Demolition and Construction Regulations Guideline.

Permit Fees
For associated Planning, Engineering, and Building fees, please refer to Appendix B7 Fee Schedule per the Wheaton City Code - Community Development Fees.

For associated Sewer and Water fees, please refer to Appendix B8 Fee Schedule per the Wheaton City Code - Public Works/Sewer & Water Fees.

Websites
www.wheaton.il.us - City of Wheaton
www.iccsafe.org - International Building Codes
http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/077/07700890sections.html - Illinois Department of Health website (2014 Illinois Plumbing Code information)

Contact Us
City of Wheaton Building & Code Enforcement Department:
Address: 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone Calls:
Submittal Questions: 630-260-2050
Inspection Scheduling: 630-260-2050
Building Code Questions: 630-260-2051
Business hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Fax: 630-260-2195

Revised 3/13/2020