Building Permit Information

Building Permits

Building permits are required to assure compliance with health and life safety building codes and protect your family and property. Most home improvement projects require a permit before work begins. Permits are not required for cosmetic improvements such as removal and replacement window, siding, roof shingles, painting, flooring, tiling, trim work, changing out cabinetry, and replacing electrical and plumbing fixtures in the same location. Non-structural repairs to interior surfaces don't require permits provided no changes are made to the structural framing, electrical, or plumbing. Emergency repairs may be addressed without immediately obtaining a permit, but the permit must be applied for within 7 days of the emergency repair work being performed.

Application Process

All applicants are encouraged to submit permit applications and construction documents via the City's web portal. Submitting applications and construction documents digitally will allow the City to serve our customers more efficiently. Design professionals can provide digital plans for submittal, if necessary. For smaller projects, plans printed on 8 1/2x11 or 11x17, visit the Community Development Department and staff will be available to assist you. 

Once your application is processed and approved, you will receive an email which will include an invoice and information on how to pay for and obtain your permit. 

What Kind of Permit Do You Need?

Please click on your project type below for a pamphlet to assist you with questions about various permit types. These documents are for informational purposes only.  Where differences between these documents and the City's adopted codes occur, the provisions of the City's adopted codes will prevail. 

• Residential - New Construction Required Submittals
• Commercial or Industrial - New Construction Required Submittals
• Additions or alterations to a residential, commercial or industrial structure
• Approach/Public Sidewalk - concrete only
• Remodeling of a residential, commercial or industrial structure that involves structural, plumbing and/or electrical revisions
• Commercial Build-Out
• Basement - Finish Existing
• Deck - New or Replacement
• Demolition of Any Structure
• Electrical Revisions and Repairs
• Electrical Service - New or Upgrade
• Fence - New or Replacement
• Fire Alarm - New, Revision or Repair
• Fire Sprinkler - New, Revision or Repair
• Garage - Detached
• Gazebo
• Irrigation System - Lawn
• Kitchen Hood - Revision or Repair
• Plumbing - Revision or Repair
• Sanitary Service - Replacement or Repair
• Shed
• Sign  - Permanent
• Swimming Pool - In-Ground or Above-Ground, including Hot Tubs, Spas, and Whirlpools
• Water Service - Replacement or Repair
• Other - As deemed necessary. Please call 815-895-4434 with questions.

Standard lead times for issuance of permits are:

• Commercial and industrial projects: 3 to 4 weeks
• Residential projects: 2 to 3 weeks
• All other permits: 5 to 7 business days

Sets of drawings to be submitted with application:

• New commercial or industrial construction: 1 hard copy of construction plan
• Project drawings to be sealed by an architect: See the Summary of the Illinois Architecture Act of 1989 (225 ILCS 305/1).

Scheduling Inspections

Call 815-895-4434 a minimum of one day before the desired inspection date during normal business hours. Provide the permit number, job address, name and phone number to secure a date and time on the inspection schedule. If calling during normal business hours and you receive a voicemail, please leave your name and phone number and your call will be returned as soon as available. Inspection requests left on the voicemail before 7 am and after 3 pm will not be honored.