County Building Permits
Kane County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kane County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Serves all areas in Kane County NOT within a city or village limit.
- Department
- Kane County Building & Community Services Division
- Address
- 719 S. Batavia Avenue, Building A, Geneva, IL 60134
- Phone
- 630-232-3485
Online Permit Portal
Platform: CityView Portal • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Create account on CityView Portal.
- Submit application and upload PDF plans.
- Plan review (typically 10-15 days).
- Pay fees online via Paymentus.
- Permit issued via portal.
Typical processing time: 10-15 business days.
General Requirements
To construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building/structure.
Required Documents
- Plat of Survey
- Scaled architectural plans
- Kane County Health Dept approval (if on septic/well)
- Stormwater approval (if over 500 sq ft of new impervious area)
- Permit validity
- 6 months to start; 1 year to complete.
- Building code
- 2021 International Codes.
- Owner-builder
- Owners may perform work but must sign an affidavit and reside at the property.
- Contractor requirements
- No registration fee; must provide licenses and COI.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $100
- Plan check fee
- $100 (minimum)
- Permit fee formula
- $75 per 100 sq ft for new residential (min $3,000).
- Reinspection fee
- $100 per failure
- Payment note
- Online payments handled by Paymentus (credit/debit/e-check)
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Fences that you can see through (chain-link, split-rail)
- Interior painting, wallpapering, flooring
- Grade-level driveways and sidewalks
- Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 630-232-3485 (phone)
- CityView Portal (online)
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday
Typical inspection sequence: Site, Footing, Underground Plumb, Roughs, Insulation, Final.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 International Codes.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Kane County Health Department (Septic/Well)
- 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 Kane County Building & Community Services Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Kane County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Kane County, IL?
- To construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building/structure.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Kane County, IL?
- The minimum permit fee is $100. Fees are calculated as: $75 per 100 sq ft for new residential (min $3,000).. Plan check fee: $100 (minimum).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Kane County, IL?
- 1. Create account on CityView Portal. 2. Submit application and upload PDF plans. 3. Plan review (typically 10-15 days). 4. Pay fees online via Paymentus. 5. Permit issued via portal.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Kane County, IL?
- Typical processing time is 10-15 business days..
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Kane County, IL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Fences that you can see through (chain-link, split-rail); Interior painting, wallpapering, flooring; Grade-level driveways and sidewalks; Retaining walls 4 feet or less in height.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Kane County, IL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 630-232-3485, CityView Portal.
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