County Building Permits
Fulton County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fulton County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated Fulton County and county zoning matters.
- Department
- Fulton County Planning and Zoning Officer
- Address
- 257 West Lincoln Street, Lewistown, IL 61542
- Phone
- (309) 547-0902
- zoning@fultonco.org
Application Process
- Start with the zoning office and determine whether the project needs a zoning permit, special use, variance, or rezoning.
- Provide required project information and supporting sketch or site details.
- Submit the application form and fee to the zoning office.
- County staff review for zoning and ordinance compliance.
- Permit is issued after approval.
General Requirements
A permit is required before erecting or structurally altering a building or structure.
Required Documents
- Owner and applicant names
- Parcel index number
- Proposed use
- 911 address
- Directions
- Detailed sketch
- Proposed location on parcel
- List of adjoining owners within 250 feet
- Purpose and justification
- All form fields
- Contractor requirements
- No countywide general contractor license published. Illinois trade licensing still applies for state-licensed trades.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $600 for special/conditional use, variance, or rezoning applications.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Fulton County Planning and Zoning Officer to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: County pages describe review and approval, but do not publish an inspection sequence.
Additional Resources
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Zoning Board of Appeals
- Fulton County home
- 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 Fulton County Planning and Zoning Officer before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fulton County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Fulton County, IL?
- A permit is required before erecting or structurally altering a building or structure.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Fulton County, IL?
- The minimum permit fee is $600 for special/conditional use, variance, or rezoning applications..
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Fulton County, IL?
- 1. Start with the zoning office and determine whether the project needs a zoning permit, special use, variance, or rezoning. 2. Provide required project information and supporting sketch or site details. 3. Submit the application form and fee to the zoning office. 4. County staff review for zoning and ordinance compliance. 5. Permit is issued after approval.
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