How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?

The minimum permit fee is $25 agriculture exemption application fee; building permit fee itself is inspector-calculated from the ordinance schedule. Fees are calculated as: Square footage and number of inspections for detached 1-2 family dwellings; other work uses the ordinance fee schedule. Plan check fee: Included in inspector review process; no separate published plan check fee found.

What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?

The following work is generally exempt: Structures under 200 sf and with no side greater than 20 ft; Sidewalks, driveways, patios, window replacement, siding replacement, reroofing, soffits, gutters; Structures inside a corporate city or village boundary are not county permit work; Bona fide agricultural structures are exempt from county building code inspections, but not from code compliance or plumbing inspections.

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?

Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 847-510-4104.

County Building Permits

LaSalle County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Illinois Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Unincorporated LaSalle County only; the county page says permits are for structures in the county and that structures inside a corporate city or village boundary are not county permit work

Department: LaSalle County Environmental Services and Land Use Department
Address: 119 W. Madison St., Room 107, Ottawa, IL 61350
Phone: 815-434-8666
Website: https://lasallecountyil.gov/i-want-to/apply-for/building-permit

Application Process

Confirm the work is in unincorporated LaSalle County and is not exempt.
Assemble the application packet, site diagram, construction documents, and any health department approvals.
Submit to the Land Use Department at least 30 days before anticipated construction.
County review by a building inspector.
Inspector notifies applicant when the permit is ready to pick up and the fee is known.
Pay the permit fee to the County Treasurer and receive the issued permit.

Typical processing time: Apply at least 30 days in advance; inspections are scheduled with 48 hours lead time

Source: LaSalle County Environmental Services and Land Use Department

General Requirements

Any building, accessory structure, structure, deck, rebuilding, structural alteration, addition, relocation, or significant change of use in unincorporated LaSalle County if the structure is 200 sf or larger or has a side 20 feet or greater

Required Documents

Application, two copies of construction documents, site diagram, approved well permit, approved septic permit, and zoning-related approvals as applicable

Building code: County brochure says residential work follows IRC 2024 and NEC 2023 as amended by the County Board; non-agricultural commercial and multi-family work follows IBC 2024 plus IFC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC, IECC 2024 and NEC 2023 as amended by the County Board. This appears to be the county's published local adoption and should be read alongside the statewide 2025 mandate
Contractor requirements: Plumbing contractors must have a state license number to be registered; electricians and plumbers are state licensed under Illinois law

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $25 agriculture exemption application fee; building permit fee itself is inspector-calculated from the ordinance schedule
Plan check fee: Included in inspector review process; no separate published plan check fee found
Permit fee formula: Square footage and number of inspections for detached 1-2 family dwellings; other work uses the ordinance fee schedule
Reinspection fee: Construction before permit issuance is subject to double the permit fee and each day is a separate offense

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Structures under 200 sf and with no side greater than 20 ft
Sidewalks, driveways, patios, window replacement, siding replacement, reroofing, soffits, gutters
Structures inside a corporate city or village boundary are not county permit work
Bona fide agricultural structures are exempt from county building code inspections, but not from code compliance or plumbing inspections

Inspections

How to Schedule

Call 847-510-4104 (phone)

Inspection hours: County brochure says allow 48 hours for scheduling; inspector office hours 8:00-10:00 AM Monday, Wednesday, Friday

Failure to comply can delay occupancy and county notes that occupancy permits will not issue without well and septic certification

Additional Resources

Building code: County brochure says residential work follows IRC 2024 and NEC 2023 as amended by the County Board; non-agricultural commercial and multi-family work follows IBC 2024 plus IFC, IMC, IFGC, IEBC, IECC 2024 and NEC 2023 as amended by the County Board. This appears to be the county's published local adoption and should be read alongside the statewide 2025 mandate
Other useful links
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 LaSalle County Environmental Services and Land Use Department before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

LaSalle County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?: Any building, accessory structure, structure, deck, rebuilding, structural alteration, addition, relocation, or significant change of use in unincorporated LaSalle County if the structure is 200 sf or larger or has a side 20 feet or greater
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?: The minimum permit fee is $25 agriculture exemption application fee; building permit fee itself is inspector-calculated from the ordinance schedule. Fees are calculated as: Square footage and number of inspections for detached 1-2 family dwellings; other work uses the ordinance fee schedule. Plan check fee: Included in inspector review process; no separate published plan check fee found.
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?: 1. Confirm the work is in unincorporated LaSalle County and is not exempt. 2. Assemble the application packet, site diagram, construction documents, and any health department approvals. 3. Submit to the Land Use Department at least 30 days before anticipated construction. 4. County review by a building inspector. 5. Inspector notifies applicant when the permit is ready to pick up and the fee is known. 6. Pay the permit fee to the County Treasurer and receive the issued permit.
How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?: Typical processing time is Apply at least 30 days in advance; inspections are scheduled with 48 hours lead time.
What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?: The following work is generally exempt: Structures under 200 sf and with no side greater than 20 ft; Sidewalks, driveways, patios, window replacement, siding replacement, reroofing, soffits, gutters; Structures inside a corporate city or village boundary are not county permit work; Bona fide agricultural structures are exempt from county building code inspections, but not from code compliance or plumbing inspections.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated LaSalle County, IL?: Inspections can be scheduled via: Call 847-510-4104.

Need help with your project?

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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