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§ IL Jersey County
County building permits

Unincorporated Jersey County

How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Jersey County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.

Min. permit fee
$100.00
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Jersey County Code Administrator's Office

Street address
200 N. Lafayette St., Suite 6, Jerseyville, IL 62052
Phone
618-498-5571
Email
codeadmin1@jerseycounty-il.gov
Coverage
Brussels is in Calhoun County, but some properties near the ferry or with Brussels mailing addresses are in Jersey County. Any construction physically on the Jersey County side of the river requires a Jersey County permit.
Online portal
Jersey County Code Administrator
Manual/PDF
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Jersey County

New construction, additions, structural alterations, accessory buildings, decks, fences, pools, and reroofing.

Interior painting and wallpapering
Minor repairs using like-for-like materials
Routine maintenance that does not affect structural integrity or life safety systems
  • Exempt Interior painting and wallpapering
  • Exempt Minor repairs using like-for-like materials
  • Exempt Routine maintenance that does not affect structural integrity or life safety systems

Note: Jurisdictional edge case: Brussels is in Calhoun County. Properties near the ferry or with Brussels mailing addresses may be in Jersey County. Ensure the property is physically within Jersey County before applying to Jersey County. If in Calhoun County, contact the Calhoun County authorities.

Required documents
  • Completed permit application
  • Site plan or plot plan
  • Construction blueprints
  • Proof of property ownership or authorization
  • Contractor license information (for licensed trades)
Building code
2018 IRC (Residential), 2018 IBC (Commercial), 2017 NEC (Electrical), IL Plumbing Code, IL Energy Conservation Code
Permit validity
180 days.
Owner-builder
Owner-builders may perform work on their own property; however, state-licensed trades (plumbing, roofing, electrical) must be contracted to licensed professionals.
Contractor requirements
All contractors must be properly licensed by the State of Illinois for their trade (IDFPR). Proof of insurance required.
§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Typically 7-14 business days for standard residential projects.

  1. 01
    Verify your property is physically within Jersey County (not Calhoun County).
  2. 02
    Contact Jersey County Code Administrator's Office to request permit application forms.
  3. 03
    Complete the permit application with detailed project information.
  4. 04
    Submit application along with required documentation to the Code Administrator.
  5. 05
    County reviews application for completeness and code compliance.
  6. 06
    Applicant is notified of approval and fee amount.
  7. 07
    Pay fees to Jersey County.
  8. 08
    Receive issued permit and schedule first inspection.

Typical processing time: Typically 7-14 business days for standard residential projects.

Source: Jersey County Code Administrator's Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Jersey County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$100.00
02
Plan check fee
$50.00 (Residential base)
03
Permit fee formula
Calculated based on square footage and construction type. Typical formula: fee per square foot for residential additions; flat fees for simple projects.
04
Reinspection fee
Follows standard schedule; contact office for specific rates
05
Penalty (no permit)
Penalty assessed for unpermitted work

Checks payable to Jersey County; contact office for other payment methods.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • 618-498-5571 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday, standard business hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation/Footing, Framing, Insulation, Rough-in (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), Final Building Inspection.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Jersey County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Jersey County, IL? ▸
New construction, additions, structural alterations, accessory buildings, decks, fences, pools, and reroofing.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Jersey County, IL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Jersey County, 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: Calculated based on square footage and construction type. Typical formula: fee per square foot for residential additions; flat fees for simple projects.. Plan check fee: $50.00 (Residential base).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Jersey County, IL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Jersey County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Verify your property is physically within Jersey County (not Calhoun County). 2. Contact Jersey County Code Administrator's Office to request permit application forms. 3. Complete the permit application with detailed project information. 4. Submit application along with required documentation to the Code Administrator. 5. County reviews application for completeness and code compliance. 6. Applicant is notified of approval and fee amount. 7. Pay fees to Jersey County. 8. Receive issued permit and schedule first inspection.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Jersey County, IL? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Jersey County, IL typically run Typically 7-14 business days for standard residential projects.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Jersey County, IL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Jersey County, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Interior painting and wallpapering; Minor repairs using like-for-like materials; Routine maintenance that does not affect structural integrity or life safety systems. Note: Jurisdictional edge case: Brussels is in Calhoun County. Properties near the ferry or with Brussels mailing addresses may be in Jersey County. Ensure the property is physically within Jersey County before applying to Jersey County. If in Calhoun County, contact the Calhoun County authorities. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Jersey County, IL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Jersey County, IL via: 618-498-5571.
last verified April 2026 source Jersey County Code Administrator's Office ↗ entry id permits/illinois/jersey/brussels
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Jersey County Code Administrator's Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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