Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Request

The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is a state statute (5 ILCS 140) that provides for a straight-forward, easy-to-use method for the public to gain access government records. Any person who wishes to inspect and/or obtain copies of public records from the City of Naperville may submit a FOIA request. However, since many public records are already available on the City’s website, it may be unnecessary for you to file a FOIA request.

Submitting a FOIA Request

Online

Online requests for Community Services Department records and Police Department records may be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online by clicking the Submit a FOIA Request button on this page.

Mail/In-Person/Fax/Email

Frequently Requested and Exempt Documents

• Frequently Requested Documents:
  • Building Permits Issued Statistics 
  • Statement of Open Accounts (submit a request for this document online through the City's Help Center)
• Documents Not Requiring a FOIA (PDF)
• Documents Exempt from FOIA (PDF)

Single-Family Residential Permit Plan Requests 

Architectural plans are the property of the licensed architect who prepared the plans. The City is unable to release copies of any architectural plans without the written permission of the architect who prepared the plans. 

Single-Family Homes Constructed Prior to 1992

The City of Naperville’s permit database dates back to 1992.  For single-family homes constructed prior to 1992, the City does not have any information. 

Single-Family Homes Constructed Between 1992-2006

As noted above, the City of Naperville’s permit database dates back to 1992.  For single-family homes constructed between 1992 and 2006, the City can provide the name of the architect who prepared the plans if it is available in the City database. Please contact the architect of record directly to request the plans.

Single-Family Homes Constructed Between 2007-Present

Starting in 2007, the City began to archive single-family residential architectural plans. For single-family homes constructed between 2007 through the present, the City can provide the name of the architect who prepared the plans if it is available in the City database. In order to release the plans (if available), written permission from the architect who prepared the plan must be provided. Please contact the architect of record directly to request the written permission.  

Plat of Survey

The plat of survey can be found with the mortgage papers that you received from your lender when you closed on your property. If you do not have your plat of survey with these papers, please call your lender to have them send you a copy. If there has ever been a permit on your property, you can email the City of Naperville with your request to see if we can locate an old one. If you cannot find it in either of these locations, you can hire a land surveyor to create a new plat of survey.

You can email your request with your address to sloank@naperville.il.us.

Response Time Frames/Failure to Pick Up Records

Most FOIA requests are responded to within five (5) business days after receipt of the request, with up to a five (5) business day extension. Other time frames apply to commercial requests and certain other FOIA requests, per state statute. Time frames may also be negotiated by agreement. Requested records will be held for 60 days if the requester has indicated that they will be picked up.

Fees for FOIA Documents

Fees for Voluminous and Commercial FOIA requests are subject to alternate fee provisions.

• CD/DVD - $1
• Photo Proof Sheet - $1.35
• Accident Reports - $5
• Accident Reconstruction Reports - $20
• Paper copies (color) after the first 50 pages (first 50 pages free) - $0.15
• Paper copies (B/W) after the first 50 pages (first 50 pages free)- $0.05
• Plat - $0.50

More Information

For additional information regarding FOIA, see the Illinois Freedom of Information Act and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office website.