County Building Permits
Cass County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Illinois Updated March 2026
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Cass County and villages without a zoning ordinance
- Department
- Cass County Zoning Office / Zoning Enforcement Officer
- Phone
- (217) 370-0111
- davecchd@gmail.com
Application Process
- Start with the Cass County Zoning Officer before commercial or residential work.
- Submit the zoning/building permit application in triplicate on county forms.
- Include site description, owner/applicant details, survey, utility plans, and other required exhibits.
- County review occurs through the zoning office; the zoning officer issues the permit.
Source: Cass County Zoning Office / Zoning Enforcement Officer
General Requirements
Permit required before starting a project
Required Documents
- Application in triplicate
- Site description
- Owner/applicant details
- Survey
- Utility plans
- Other required exhibits
- Permit validity
- Work not substantially started within 90 days requires a new permit under the zoning ordinance.
- Building code
- County zoning ordinance references compliance with applicable local, county, and state rules; no clearly published county building code adoption summary found for all work types
Fees
- Permit fee formula
- Published fees were found for special zoning programs only, not a general building permit schedule
- Penalty (no permit)
- County zoning ordinance states failure to obtain a permit may result in a fine; no published reinspection schedule found
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Routine maintenance or repair, including repainting or reroofing
- Alterations under $300 replacement value
- Construction of a service connection to a municipally owned and operated utility
- Agricultural use, except where specifically regulated elsewhere
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- County office hours on the zoning page are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Additional Resources
- Building code: County zoning ordinance references compliance with applicable local, county, and state rules; no clearly published county building code adoption summary found for all work types
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Zoning ordinance PDF
- County home page
- GIS
- Zoning page
- License lookup guide: Illinois Contractor License Requirements
- Contract template: Illinois Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
- Illinois hub: Illinois Contractor License & Permit Hub
Information on this page was last verified: March 2026. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with the Cass County Zoning Office / Zoning Enforcement Officer before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Cass County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, IL?
- Permit required before starting a project
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Cass County, IL?
- Fees are calculated as: Published fees were found for special zoning programs only, not a general building permit schedule.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Cass County, IL?
- 1. Start with the Cass County Zoning Officer before commercial or residential work. 2. Submit the zoning/building permit application in triplicate on county forms. 3. Include site description, owner/applicant details, survey, utility plans, and other required exhibits. 4. County review occurs through the zoning office; the zoning officer issues the permit.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Cass County, IL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Routine maintenance or repair, including repainting or reroofing; Alterations under $300 replacement value; Construction of a service connection to a municipally owned and operated utility; Agricultural use, except where specifically regulated elsewhere.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Cass County Unincorporated Area can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector works Important:
This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.