Morris, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

City of Morris Building and Zoning Office

Street address

700 N. Division Street, Morris, IL 60450

Phone

815-942-1855

Coverage

Serves the incorporated City of Morris.

Online portal

City of Morris Building and Zoning

Document Center (PDF downloads)

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Morris

New construction, additions, remodeling, decks, fences, sheds, roofing, siding, and sign installation.

Scope of work

Permit?

Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting

Exempt

Cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work

Exempt

Swings and other playground equipment

Exempt

Exempt Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting
Exempt Cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work
Exempt Swings and other playground equipment

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Office before proceeding.

Required documents

Plat of Survey
Building plans
Contractor list

Building code: 2021 IBC/IRC (State mandate), 2008 NEC, 2015 NFPA 101, Current Illinois Plumbing Code
Permit validity: 1 year from date of issuance.
Owner-builder: Allowed for primary residence work.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must be registered with the city.

Source: City of Morris Building and Zoning Office ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Typically 5 to 10 business days for standard reviews.

01

Download and complete the appropriate application from the Document Center.
02

Submit two sets of plans and a Plat of Survey.
03

Pay the required plan review fee and state surcharge.

Typical processing time: Typically 5 to 10 business days for standard reviews.

Source: City of Morris Building and Zoning Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Morris building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$100.00

Plan check fee

50 percent of permit fee for Residential; 65 percent for Commercial.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based using UBC Table 1A.

Penalty (no permit)

Penalty of double fee for work started without a permit.

State surcharge is greater of 0.0005 x valuation or $1.00.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

815-942-1855 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday through Friday during business hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Stake-out, Footing, Foundation, Rough-in, Insulation, Final.

Source: City of Morris Building and Zoning Office ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Morris permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Morris, IL? ▸

New construction, additions, remodeling, decks, fences, sheds, roofing, siding, and sign installation.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Morris, IL? ▸

Building permit fees in Morris, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $100.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based using UBC Table 1A.. Plan check fee: 50 percent of permit fee for Residential; 65 percent for Commercial..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Morris, IL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Morris, IL, follow these steps: 1. Download and complete the appropriate application from the Document Center. 2. Submit two sets of plans and a Plat of Survey. 3. Pay the required plan review fee and state surcharge.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Morris, IL? ▸

Building permit processing times in Morris, IL typically run Typically 5 to 10 business days for standard reviews.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Morris, IL? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Morris, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting; Cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work; Swings and other playground equipment. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Office before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Morris, IL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Morris, IL via: 815-942-1855.

last verified April 2026 source City of Morris Building and Zoning Office ↗ entry id permits/illinois/grundy/morris

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with City of Morris Building and Zoning Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Morris

Other jurisdictions in Grundy County.