Do You Need a Permit for a Concrete Driveway in Will County?

Planning January 22, 2026

One of the first questions homeowners ask when planning a new driveway: do I need a permit? The short answer for Will County and DuPage County is almost always yes — especially for driveway replacement or new pours.

Short Answer: Usually Yes

Permitted concrete driveway in Will County — ZBL Concrete

Most municipalities in our area require a permit for any concrete flatwork that involves: replacing an existing driveway, pouring a new driveway, expanding the width or length of a driveway, or connecting to the public sidewalk or apron. Some towns also require permits for large patios and walkways.

Permit costs vary by town. Lockport: $50-75 for residential flatwork permits. Plainfield: $75-100 with a required site inspection. Naperville: $75-150 depending on scope. Joliet: $50-100. Homer Glen: $50-75. Most permits take 3-7 business days to process.

Permit Requirements by Municipality

The permit process usually involves submitting a site plan showing the driveway dimensions, setback from property lines, connection to the street, and drainage plan. Some towns require a grading plan to show that water flows away from the house and neighboring properties. At ZBL Concrete, we handle all of this for our customers.

Concrete driveway aerial view in Lockport by ZBL Concrete

What about patios? Most towns don't require a permit for a backyard patio that doesn't alter drainage patterns. But if you're adding a large patio (500+ square feet) or one that connects to the house foundation, check with your local building department. Better safe than sorry.

What Happens If You Skip the Permit?

What happens if you skip the permit? You're taking a real risk. If the village finds unpermitted work, they can issue stop-work orders, fine you, or even require you to tear it out and start over. When you sell your home, unpermitted work can show up during inspections and kill a deal. And your homeowner's insurance might not cover damage to unpermitted structures.

The cost of a permit is minimal compared to the cost of your project — typically less than 1% of the total. And it ensures your project meets code requirements for things like proper drainage, setbacks, and ADA compliance at the street connection.

At ZBL Concrete, we pull permits on every project that requires one. It's included in our service — you don't have to deal with the building department. Call (312) 721-0835 and we'll handle everything from permits to final inspection.