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§ IL Jefferson County
City building permits

City of Mt. Vernon

How to apply for a building permit in City of Mt. Vernon, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Engineering and Inspections Administration

Street address
1100 Main Street, Mount Vernon, IL 62864
Phone
(618) 242-6830
Email
buildinginspector@mtvernon.com
Coverage
City of Mt. Vernon. The county guide and city pages indicate Mt. Vernon is its own permit jurisdiction.
Online portal
Building Permit Application
GovStack form portal
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Mt. Vernon

Mount Vernon says permits are required for carports, garages, pools, storage buildings, new houses, porches and decks over 30 inches high or with a roof, mobile homes, and new commercial construction, among other work.

Note: Mt. Vernon says many small repairs do not need a building permit. The page does not publish a complete exempt-work list.

Required documents
  • Project cost
  • Job address
  • Parcel number
  • Legal description
  • Owner contact info
  • Architect
  • Contractor
  • Electrician
  • Plumber
  • Roofer
  • Use and occupancy class
  • Type of construction
  • Area in square feet
  • Electric service size
  • Plans and specifications for public-purpose buildings, including plot plan, approved by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer
Building code
City of Mt. Vernon Building Codes page lists IBC 2021, IEBC 2021, IMC 2021, IFGC 2021, IFC 2021, NEC 2023, NFPA 101 2021, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Illinois Plumbing Code, and Illinois Accessibility Code/ADA.
Contractor requirements
The form collects contractor and trade contractor information; the city requires applicable state licensing for architects/engineers on public-purpose projects. The city code page also lists the city electrical contractor license page.
§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Complete the building permit application online, by email, or in person.
  2. 02
    Engineering and Inspections Department reviews the application.
  3. 03
    Planning and Zoning Committee reviews it.
  4. 04
    City Council reviews it.
  5. 05
    If approved, the building permit is issued.

Source: Engineering and Inspections Administration ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Mt. Vernon building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$7.50 for a $1,000 project cost tier
02
Permit fee formula
Fee table increases in $2.50 increments per additional $1,000 in project cost through the published tiers; the page provides a structured schedule rather than a single formula.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (618) 242-6830 at least 48 hours before the inspection (phone)
Scheduling deadline
Call at least 48 hours before the inspection. Permit holder or owner is responsible for scheduling.
Inspection hours
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Typical sequence: Concrete/structural rough, electrical rough and final, framing rough, HVAC rough and final, roofing photo review, siding/house wrap, solar panels, and final inspection before occupancy.

Source: Engineering and Inspections Administration ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Mt. Vernon permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Mt. Vernon, IL? ▸
Mount Vernon says permits are required for carports, garages, pools, storage buildings, new houses, porches and decks over 30 inches high or with a roof, mobile homes, and new commercial construction, among other work.
02 How much does a building permit cost in Mt. Vernon, IL? ▸
Building permit fees in Mt. Vernon, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $7.50 for a $1,000 project cost tier. Fees are calculated as: Fee table increases in $2.50 increments per additional $1,000 in project cost through the published tiers; the page provides a structured schedule rather than a single formula..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in Mt. Vernon, IL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in Mt. Vernon, IL, follow these steps: 1. Complete the building permit application online, by email, or in person. 2. Engineering and Inspections Department reviews the application. 3. Planning and Zoning Committee reviews it. 4. City Council reviews it. 5. If approved, the building permit is issued.
04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Mt. Vernon, IL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Mt. Vernon, IL via: (618) 242-6830 at least 48 hours before the inspection. Call at least 48 hours before the inspection. Permit holder or owner is responsible for scheduling..
last verified April 2026 source Engineering and Inspections Administration ↗ entry id permits/illinois/jefferson/mt-vernon
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Engineering and Inspections Administration before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.