Short answer
In Naperville, replacing a garage door in the same opening generally does not need a permit; the city's guide to building permits lists window or door replacement that alters the size or style of the opening, or a door in a new location, as permit work. Either way, the new door must meet the city's adopted codes, the 2018 International Residential Code for homes.
What the city's guide says
The City of Naperville's guide to building permits lists the work that needs a permit. Among it: window or door replacement that alters the size or style, or installation of a window or door in a new location. The same guide adds that, regardless of permit requirements, all windows and doors must conform to the city's adopted building codes.
The city builds to the 2018 International Residential Code and the 2018 International Building Code, so those are the standards a new door and its installation have to meet.
Usually no permit: a same-size swap
Most replacements take out the old door, springs and tracks and hang a new door of the same size in the same opening, on the existing framing. That is the kind of job the guide does not list as permit work. If you are also changing the look of the door significantly, the guide's mention of style is worth a quick call to the city before you order.
Usually a permit: changing the opening
- Widening a single opening into a double, which means a new header sized for the span
- Adding a garage door in a new location
- Reframing the opening to fit a taller or wider door
- Converting the garage or part of it to another use
How to check
The city's Building Permits office can be reached at (630) 420-6100, option 2, or by email at buildingpermits@naperville.il.us. Describe the opening you have and the door you plan to install; it takes a few minutes and settles the question before anything is ordered.
HOAs are a separate approval
A city permit and an HOA approval are different things. Many associations regulate garage door style, color and materials even when the city does not need a permit, so check your covenants as well. We can give you the door's specifications to submit.
Be wary of anyone who says to skip it
The city's guide specifically warns homeowners about contractors who suggest not obtaining required permits. Work done without a required permit can cause trouble when the house is sold. If your job needs one, plan for it from the start. Garage door replacement explains how we plan a replacement, including any framing work.
When to call instead
If you are not sure whether your project changes the opening, call us before ordering a door. We will measure, tell you what the job involves, and point you to the city if a permit is likely.
Related: Garage Door Replacement, Garage Door Jamb & Trim Repair, Carriage House Garage Doors.
