County Building Permits
Clark County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Clark County. County assessor records indicate the office monitors building permits, but that is not the same as a public permit-issuing department.
- Department
- Address
- 501 Archer Ave., Marshall, IL 62441
- Phone
- (217) 826-8311
- Website
- https://www.clarkcountyil.org/
Application Process
- Confirm whether the project is inside an incorporated municipality or unincorporated county area.
- Verify whether zoning, septic, floodplain, or road access approvals are needed before construction.
- Obtain and submit local permit paperwork if the county provides it.
- Await local approval before starting work.
General Requirements
- Building code
- Statewide minimums under Public Act 103-0510, including IBC 2021 for commercial work, IRC 2021 for residential work, NEC 2023, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, and Illinois Plumbing Code.
- Contractor requirements
- No local general contractor license found. Electricians and plumbers remain state-licensed trades.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
Additional Resources
- Building code: Statewide minimums under Public Act 103-0510, including IBC 2021 for commercial work, IRC 2021 for residential work, NEC 2023, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, and Illinois Plumbing Code.
- County home
- County assessor
- Township directory
- 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 before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Clark County Building Permit FAQ
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Clark County, IL?
- 1. Confirm whether the project is inside an incorporated municipality or unincorporated county area. 2. Verify whether zoning, septic, floodplain, or road access approvals are needed before construction. 3. Obtain and submit local permit paperwork if the county provides it. 4. Await local approval before starting work.
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