How To Search for Naperville Property Records

Property records contain vast amounts of information that buyers and investors can use to research real estate and make informed decisions. Some essential information that you can get from Naperville property records includes details on property boundaries, ownership history, assessed values, tax information, liens, amenities, home type, foreclosures, and zoning regulations, among other things. Naperville property records are considered public records, meaning that they are accessible to anyone who wants to view them or get copies. Since the City of Naperville exists in two counties (DuPage and Will Counties) and six townships (Naperville, Lisle, Wheatland, DuPage, Winfield, and Milton Townships), it's essential to know where to look. We have compiled a list of resources to help you find different types of property records in Naperville.

County Recorder's Offices

The DuPage County Recorder's Office and Will County Recorder's Office are great sources for different types of property records, including deeds, mortgages, liens, and plats. Each office provides an online tool that you can use to search for property records by name, document type, filing date, address, and other property-specific details. Note that the exact search parameters may vary slightly by county. If you prefer to get copies of these records in person, then you can visit the recorder's office of the county where the property is located. Below are the addresses and contact numbers for the DuPage and Will Counties' recorder's offices and direct links to each office's online records search tool:

DuPage County Recorder of Deeds:

Room 1-400, 1st Floor

Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building

421 N. County Farm Road

Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone: (630) 407-5400

Documents Search Tool

Will County Recorder of Deeds:

158 N. Scott Street

Joliet, IL 60432-4143

Phone: (815) 740-4637

Documents Search Tool

The Will County Recorder of Deeds also operates a second office at 241 Canterbury Lane, Bolingbrook, IL 60440. However, this office is only open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

County Supervisor of Assessments' Offices

Naperville is located within DuPage and Will counties. The Supervisor of Assessments in each of these counties is responsible for ensuring that all property in the city is valued fairly and uniformly for property tax purposes. However, it is important to note that each Supervisor of Assessments only has jurisdiction over properties within their specific county. The Supervisors of Assessments offer search tools on their websites that you can use to get details on a property, like its classification, ownership information, sales history, valuation data, and more. You can search using various criteria, such as parcel number, address, name, sale date, and property type. Note that search criteria and the scope of information that you can get from your search may vary by county. You can also make detailed inquiries and obtain copies of the required records in person by visiting the relevant supervisor of assessments' office. Here are the addresses and contact numbers for the DuPage and Will Counties' supervisor of assessments' offices and direct links to each office's online search tool:

DuPage County Supervisor of Assessments:

Room 1-100, 421 N. County Farm Rd.

Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone: (630) 407-5858

Property Records Search Portal

Will County Supervisor of Assessments:

302 N. Chicago Street

Joliet, IL 60432

Phone: (815) 740-4648

Property Search Portal

Township Assessor's Offices

Six townships cover different portions of the City of Naperville: Naperville, Lisle, Wheatland, DuPage, Winfield, and Milton Townships. Each of these townships has a local Township Assessor who is primarily responsible for determining the fair market value of all properties within their respective jurisdictions. You can contact the township assessor's offices to get information like a property's physical characteristics, assessment value history, and tax exemption status. Here are the contact details for each township assessor's office that covers the City of Naperville:

Naperville Township:

139 Water Street

Naperville, IL 60540

Phone: (630) 355-2444

Lisle Township:

2121 Ogden Avenue, Suite B

Lisle, IL 60532

Phone: (630) 968-1183

Wheatland Township:

4232 Tower Court

Naperville, IL 60564

Phone: (630) 717-0092

DuPage Township:

241 Canterbury Lane

Bolingbrook, IL 60440

Phone: (630) 759-1315

Winfield Township:

130 Arbor Street

West Chicago, IL 60185

Phone: (630) 231-3573

Milton Township:

1492 N. Main Street

Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone: (630) 653-5220

County Treasurer's Offices

The DuPage County Treasurer and Will County Treasurer collect property taxes for Naperville, depending on the property's location within the city. Each of these offices provides access to an online platform where you can view statements, review payment history, check for unpaid taxes, and make tax payments. You can also reach out directly to the relevant treasurer's office for assistance with any information that is not available online. Here are the addresses, phone numbers, and links to the tax information portals for each county treasurer's office:

DuPage County Treasurer:

Room 1-200, 421 N. County Farm Rd.

Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone: (630) 407-5900

Property Records Database

Will County Treasurer:

302 N. Chicago Street

Joliet, IL 60432

Phone: (815) 740-4675

Tax Information Search Tool

County Circuit Courts

The DuPage County Circuit Court and Will County Circuit Court are also good sources for Naperville property records related to legal actions or disputes, like foreclosures, liens, or code enforcement cases. You can get copies of these records in person at the courthouse where the case was heard. Each county's circuit clerk also maintains an online records platform that you can use to search for records by case name or number. Below are the addresses and phone numbers for the DuPage and Will County courthouses and the links to the circuit clerks' online records platforms:

DuPage County Courthouse:

505 North County Farm Road

Wheaton, IL 60187

Phone: (630) 407-8904

Case Search Tool

Will County Courthouse:

100 W. Jefferson St.

Joliet, IL 60432

Phone: (815) 727-8592

iPublic search tool

City of Naperville Resources

The City of Naperville also has a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) map on its website that you can use to locate and get information on properties within its boundaries. Because Naperville is spread across two counties and six townships, this tool can be very handy in knowing the exact location of the property you are interested in and also getting fundamental details on it.

Naperville property taxes are used to fund the city's essential public services and long-term obligations. These include public institutions like the Naperville Public Library, fire and police departments, road maintenance, stormwater management, IMRF pensions, debt service payments, and more. Local township assessors are responsible for classifying and assessing properties in the city to determine their value based on market data. These assessments are then reviewed by the DuPage or Will County Supervisor of Assessments (depending on the township where the property is located), while the county treasurer collects and distributes tax funds. Property values in Naperville are assessed once every four years. However, annual readjustments to a property's value may be made in the intervening years (the years between full reassessment years) based on sales data, improvements, or appeals.

Property taxes are paid in two installments. First payments are usually due between June 1st and 3rd, and second payments between September 1st and 3rd (actual due dates are typically indicated on your tax bill). If you fail to pay your property taxes on time, a penalty of 1.5% per month will be added to the unpaid balance for each month that the payment is late. If payments aren't made by November, the delinquent taxes will be sold at a tax sale, where investors can bid on the debt. If this happens, you will owe both the county and the investor and must pay the full amount owed plus interest and fees within 2-3 years to redeem your property; otherwise, the deed will go to the tax buyer. Each county treasurer offers several methods for tax payments, including credit cards, drop boxes, mail-in, and cash payments at local banks or their offices. You can get additional information on tax payment options for a specific county by calling one of these numbers:

• DuPage County Treasurer: (630) 407-5900.
• Will County Treasurer: (815) 740-4675.

Assessments

Local township assessors in Naperville conduct initial assessments of property in the city to determine its value for tax purposes. Your property's assessed value is usually 33.33% of its fair market value. Once this figure is determined, it will be reviewed by either the DuPage or Will County Supervisor of Assessments for consistency and fairness. Depending on the circumstances, the Supervisor of Assessments may also apply an equalization factor and subtract applicable exemptions from the initial figure to get a final value, known as the equalized assessment value (EAV). Properties are reassessed every four years, with annual equalization adjustments in between. If you believe your property has been overvalued, you can reach out to your local township assessor to correct the erroneous valuation. If you are unsatisfied with the assessor's decision, you can go a step further by filing a formal appeal with either the DuPage County or Will County Board of Review, depending on your township. The appeal period is usually open for 30 days after assessment notices are published, and appeals may be submitted online, in writing, or in person (options may vary by county).

Appraisals

Naperville assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value (FMV) of property by comparing similar properties with others in the local area that have sold recently. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Because Naperville, Illinois, is located across two counties, its median effective property tax rate varies. For properties in DuPage County, the median property tax rate is 2.07%; for those in Will County, it's 2.31%. These rates are significantly higher than the national median of 1.02% but lower than the Illinois statewide median rate of 2.35%. The average annual property tax bill in Naperville also depends on the area in the city: $8,613 for properties in DuPage and $11,515 for properties in Will. These are more than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Naperville's property tax rates compare to other counties in Illinois:

• Adams County 2.23%
• Boone County 2.69%
• Cook County 2.01%
• DeKalb County 2.86%
• Grundy County 2.61%
• Kane County 2.60%
• Kendall County 2.83%
• Lake County 2.94%
• McHenry County 2.75%
• Sangamon County 2.31%
• Shelby County 2.20%
• Tazewell County 2.46%
• Winnebago County 2.78%

Exemptions

Naperville's property tax rates are pretty high compared to the national average, and some homeowners may find it difficult to make their annual tax payments. Thankfully, the city offers several tax exemptions to qualifying homeowners through the DuPage and Will County Supervisor of Assessments' offices. These programs include:

• General Homestead/Residential Exemption: This reduces a property's taxable value by up to $8,000.
• Homestead Improvement Exemption: This can provide an exemption of up to $25,000 (for DuPage County) or $75,000 (for Will County) per year from your property's assessed value.
• Disabled Persons Homestead Exemption: This reduces a property's assessed value by up to $2,000 per year.
• Senior Citizen Homestead Exemption: This is available to qualifying homeowners who are 65 or older and reduces their tax bill by up to $8,000.
• Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze: This program "freezes" the assessed value of a senior's home if their household income is below a certain threshold.
• Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption: This provides a $5,000 reduction in the assessed value of a veteran's primary residence for two consecutive tax years after they return from active duty.

You can apply for these exemptions and also get information on other available programs by contacting your county supervisor of assessments' office.

All new construction and home improvement projects in Naperville require building permits and inspections. However, exceptions may be made for minor electrical and plumbing repairs and cosmetic improvements, like painting, wallpapering, carpeting, and trim work. You can obtain these permits from the Naperville Building Permits Division. The division provides a permitting, plans, and licensing portal on its website that serves as a one-stop shop for getting permit-related information, applying for permits, making payments, tracking applications, and scheduling inspections. You can also call the department at (630) 420-6100 for assistance or visit 400 S. Eagle St., Naperville, IL 60540, if you prefer in-person services.

The types of permits available in Naperville include:

• Residential Room Addition/Alteration Permits: Required for new residential constructions and home improvement projects.
• Commercial Development Permits: Required for projects involving commercial buildings.
• Electrical and Electrical Low-Voltage Permits: Required for any electrical work, including low-voltage wiring for the installation of security systems.
• Plumbing Permits: Required for plumbing work.
• Driveway Permits: Required for installing new driveways.
• Deck, Patio, and Shed Permits: Required to add decks, patios, open porches, or other secondary structures to residential buildings.
• Sign Permits: Required to install or post temporary or permanent signs.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Naperville is a thriving Chicago suburb known for its highly rated public schools, extensive park district, and vibrant downtown Riverwalk area (the "Crown Jewel" of Naperville). The city is also supported by a strong job market and is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live in the United States.

Naperville, Illinois, has a population of 153,124, with residents living across two counties: a majority in DuPage County and a smaller portion in Will County. The city has 57,716 housing units, with 55,580 occupied units. Housing options in the city are a mix of single-family homes, townhomes, condos, and apartments, and housing styles include a variety of Colonial, Ranch, and modern Craftsman homes. The average price for a house in Naperville is $610,522, which represents a 5% increase from previous years. Note that actual house prices can vary significantly depending on the neighborhood. Here are examples of house prices for different neighborhoods in Naperville, IL:

• Brighton Ridge $795,253
• Buttonwood $718,958
• Hobson West $741,247
• Moser Highlands $571,210
• The Fields $380,432

Naperville, Illinois, is a dynamic and appealing destination for both homebuyers and investors. Home prices have consistently risen over the past few years, properties typically go under contract within 8 days, and over 51% of homes sell above the listing price. These are all strong indications of an active and highly competitive market.