logo

Detached Garage Construction - Residential

Applicable Codes:
2024 International Residential Code
2023 National Electrical Code

Please submit the following information:

  1. Type 1 Grading Plan, signed and sealed by an Illinois Registered Engineer or Land Surveyor. Please call our Development Engineer at 630-260-2040 should you need further information. Please refer to the document titled Grading Plan Requirements Type I for specific requirements.
  2. Architectural-style Construction Plans. Plans should include:
  1. Plan View Detail:
    • All walls, windows, doors, stairs, stoops, and any other pertinent structural items.
    • Framing member sizes, spacing, species, span, and direction.
    • Location of the electrical service panel and the size of service; All electrical receptacles, lighting, switches, smoke alarms, and all other electrical appliances.
    • Include all other pertinent data (such as specified point-load bearing members, etc.) that will be necessary to complete a comprehensive plan review.
  2. Cross Section Detail:
    • Footing dimensions and depth below grade.
    • Foundation wall materials, thickness, reinforcing, height above grade, and depth.
    • 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, drywall specifications (if applicable).
    • R-value and the location of any insulation to be installed.
    • 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.
  3. Elevation Detail:
    • All of the elevations for the proposed detached garage.
    • Overall height of the proposed detached garage from grade, as well as foundation depths below grade.
    • All material indications, lighting fixtures, roof ventilation, etc.
  4. Stair Detail (if stairs are to be installed):
    • 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).

Significant Code Requirements

Zoning

For complete information on zoning requirements for detached garages, see the Wheaton Zoning Ordinance, Articles 3.4A.8 & 24.3. The Zoning Ordinance can be viewed on the City’s website or purchased at City Hall. If you have additional questions, call the Planning Department at (630) 260-2080.

  1. Size Requirements:
    • Maximum Ground Floor Area - 700 square feet, but cannot exceed 30% of the rear yard area (Rear Yard Area is measured from the furthest rear wall of the house to the rear lot line.)
    • Maximum Height - Garage cannot exceed one-and-one-half stories, based on a calculation of the attic area under the roof. No numerical height limit.
    • Half Story - A partial story under a sloping roof, where the floor area of 4 ft. clearance (floor to roof decking) does not exceed 60% of the ground floor area of the garage.
  2. Setback Requirements:
    • Separation - Minimum 4 feet separation from the principal structure (house), measured from foundation to foundation. Intervening space can be roofed to form a breezeway, but not enclosed.
    • Front or Corner Side Yard - Same as required for principal structure.
    • Interior Side Yard - 8% of lot width or 10 feet, whichever is less.
    • Rear Yard - 8% of lot width or 10 feet, whichever is less, but in no case less than 5’-0”.
      Setback Reduction for one-story garage: If a garage is located more than 40 feet behind the front yard setback line, the interior side yard can be reduced to 3 feet, and the rear yard reduced to 5 feet.
  3. Easements
    • The garage shall be located outside any dedicated easement. Easements are shown on the plat of survey. Garages that encroach upon an easement will require permission from the affected public utilities and the Engineering Department. See Utility Easement (Approval to Build Within) for more information.

Construction

  1. Detached garages less than 10’ from the principal residence must have a minimum one layer of ½” drywall on all portions of the walls and ceilings of the detached garage.
  2. The garage requires an electrical disconnecting means at a readily accessible location on the exterior of the garage nearest the point of entrance of the conductors.

To apply for a permit

Maintstar - h2.maintstar.co/wheaton/portal/#/

Contractor Registration Requirements

Webpage - www.wheaton.il.us/890/Contractor-Registration-Requirements

Websites

Contact Us

City of Wheaton Building & Code Enforcement Department
Address: 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone Calls:
Inspection Scheduling - 630-260-2050
Planning & Zoning Department - 630-260-2080
Engineering Department - 630-260-2040
Fax - 630-260-2195

Business hours: Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Revised 7/16/2025