Room Additions - Residential

Applicable Codes:
2024 International Residential Code
2023 National Electrical Code
2014 Illinois Plumbing Code
Illinois Energy Conservation Code (current edition)

Please submit the following information:

1. Grading Plan Requirements - Type I - Please refer to the document titled Grading Plan Requirements - Type I for specific requirements. Please call our Development Engineer at 630-260-2040 should you need further information.
2. Combustion Air Calculation Worksheet - Combustion Air Calculation Worksheet.
3. 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 the 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.
4. Storm Water Management Application.
5. Architectural plans signed and sealed by an Illinois-licensed design professional. These plans shall include:
   1. Plan View (Floor Plan)
      • 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 the service.
      • All electrical receptacles, lighting, switches, smoke alarms, and all other electrical appliances.
      • All proposed plumbing fixtures (including 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.
   2. Cross Sections
      • Footing dimensions and depth below grade.
      • Foundation wall materials, thickness, reinforcing, damp-proofing, 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 techniques.
      • 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.
   3. 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).
   4. Elevations
      • 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.
   5. Roof Plan
      • Rafter sizes, spacing, and direction.
      • Hip, valley, and ridge rafter sizes.
      • Ventilation specifications (type, number, location).
      • Any other specialized installations that are present in the home (such as fire-rated sheathing at partition walls in duplexes).
      • If roof trusses are to be used, then a set of truss plans generated by the manufacturer and signed and sealed by an Illinois licensed design professional that include the truss layout and individual truss designs must be submitted prior to the rough framing inspection for review and approval (the rough framing inspection cannot be performed until the truss plans have been approved by the City of Wheaton).
   6. 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.
   7. Electrical Submittals:
      • An electrical service panel schedule that indicates breaker sizes and what the circuits each specifically serve.
      • Installation for any car chargers, storage batteries, generators, solar panel plans, or any other electrical equipment that is to be installed.

Significant Code Requirements

• 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 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.
• Carbon Monoxide Alarms
  Carbon Monoxide Alarms shall be installed outside each separate sleeping area in the vicinity of the bedrooms. Combination Smoke Alarms/Carbon Monoxide Alarms are allowed. Where more than one Carbon Monoxide Alarm is installed within an individual dwelling unit the alarm devices must be interconnected. The Carbon Monoxide 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.
• 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 
• Egress Windows
  The International Residential Code 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 the 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.
• Overhead Sewer
  As per Wheaton Ordinance, Overhead Sanitary sewer service is required for any remodeling in the lowest level (basement) of a residence. If applicable, please indicate the proposed location for the sanitary pit on the required plumbing isometric plan and the basement plan view drawing.
• Combustion Air
  The 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.
• Insulation Requirements
  The Illinois Energy Conservation 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-30 or R20 (Cavity) + R5 (Continuous) or R-13 (Cavity) + R-10 (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-15 (Continuous) or R19 (Cavity)
  • Floors separating conditioned spaces from unconditioned spaces: R-30
  • Ductwork running through unconditioned spaces: R-8
  • Maximum Window U-Value: .30
  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.
• Zoning Requirements - See the document titled Zoning Requirements for Residential Districts.

Inspections

The inspections listed here are required for all new Single-Family Home projects. Additional inspections may be needed based on 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.

• Footing
• Foundation Wall
• A Top of Foundation Survey must be submitted before Backfill
• Backfill (for additions with basements only)
• Electrical Service (if applicable)
• Water Service (if applicable)
• Underground Electrical/Plumbing (if applicable)
• Rough Inspections (Framing, Electrical, Mechanical, Plumbing)
• Insulation
• Masonry Firebox (if applicable)
• Housewrap
• Exterior Masonry (if applicable)
• Final Grading Survey must be submitted
• Final Inspections (Building, Plumbing, Engineering)

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.

To apply for a permit

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

Contractor Registration Requirements:

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

Contact Us

City of Wheaton Building & Code Enforcement Department
Address: 303 W. Wesley Street, Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone Calls:
Questions regarding this information: 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 12/4/2025