Decatur, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Inspections Division, Department of Development Services

Street address

1 Gary K. Anderson Plaza, 3rd Floor, Decatur, IL 62523

Phone

(217) 424-2787

jkretsinger@decaturil.gov

Coverage

All properties within the incorporated City of Decatur.

Online portal

OpenGov

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Decatur

Permits are required for all new construction, additions, alterations, and structural work. Specific triggers include: decks (including composite materials), detached structures over 200 square feet, electrical work, mechanical system replacement (A/C, boilers, furnaces), plumbing modifications, pools and hot tubs, roofing projects, room additions, retaining walls greater than 4 feet in height, water heaters, fireplaces, all work within a floodplain, window and door replacements for one- and two-family residences, patio or deck enclosures and covers, and privacy fences.

Scope of work

Permit?

Interior and exterior painting

Exempt

Cabinet and appliance replacement

Exempt

Flooring installation (carpet, hardwood, tile)

Exempt

Concrete flatwork (sidewalks, patios, driveways -- no structure)

Exempt

Fences less than 7 feet in height (non-privacy fences that allow 50% or more visibility may also be exempt)

Exempt

Detached accessory structures less than 200 square feet

Exempt

Minor plumbing and heating repairs (no new work or modifications)

Exempt

Re-shingling a roof (in-kind replacement)

Exempt

Siding replacement

Exempt

Replacement windows that are exactly the same size as existing windows

Exempt

Wooden play sets and swing sets

Exempt

Exempt Interior and exterior painting
Exempt Cabinet and appliance replacement
Exempt Flooring installation (carpet, hardwood, tile)
Exempt Concrete flatwork (sidewalks, patios, driveways -- no structure)
Exempt Fences less than 7 feet in height (non-privacy fences that allow 50% or more visibility may also be exempt)
Exempt Detached accessory structures less than 200 square feet
Exempt Minor plumbing and heating repairs (no new work or modifications)
Exempt Re-shingling a roof (in-kind replacement)
Exempt Siding replacement
Exempt Replacement windows that are exactly the same size as existing windows
Exempt Wooden play sets and swing sets

Note: Zoning and floodplain authorities may separately review some of these items. Verify with Building Inspections Division.

Required documents

Building permit application
Site plan showing structure location
Construction drawings or plans (for commercial and larger residential projects)
Specifications as applicable
Trade-specific plans for electrical, mechanical, and plumbing permits

Building code: Effective January 1, 2024: 2021 IBC, 2021 IRC, 2021 IEBC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IFC, 2021 IPMC, 2021 IECC, 2017 NEC (note: verify 2017 NEC vs. NEC 2023 statewide minimum with department), 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code, 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code, 2010 ADA.
Permit validity: Contact Building Inspections at (217) 424-2787 for specifics on permit expiration.
Owner-builder: Property owners may apply for permits on their own property. The city has a 'Homeowner Process' guide specifically for this scenario.
Contractor requirements: Electricians must be licensed through the Illinois IDFPR. Plumbers must be licensed through the Illinois IDFPR. No general state contractor license required for Illinois. Verify current requirements directly with Building Inspections.

Source: Building Inspections Division, Department of Development Services ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Next-day inspection scheduling available for requests submitted before 4:00 PM.

01

Determine whether a permit is required using the 'Start a Project' guide at decaturil.gov/473/Homeowner-Process.
02

Create an account or log in at https://decaturil.portal.opengov.com/.
03

Select the permit type (residential, commercial, trade permit, demolition, etc.) and complete the online application.
04

Upload required documents (site plan, floor plan, construction drawings, specifications as applicable).
05

Submit application and pay fees online through the portal or via Illinois ePay.
06

Allow up to 24 hours for payment processing.
07

Plans are reviewed by Building Inspections Division (structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, accessibility as applicable).
08

Permit is issued once plan review is approved.
09

Schedule inspections through the portal or by calling (217) 424-2787 before 4:00 PM for next-day scheduling.
10

Pass all required inspections and receive Certificate of Occupancy where applicable.

Typical processing time: Next-day inspection scheduling available for requests submitted before 4:00 PM.

Source: Building Inspections Division, Department of Development Services ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective June 14, 2021

Fee type

Amount

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee structure; contact department for specific amounts.

Permit fee formula

Valuation-based per fee schedule; contact (217) 424-2787 for specific tier amounts.

Online payment through OpenGov portal or Illinois ePay. Allow 24 hours for online payment processing.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective June 14, 2021) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

OpenGov portal (online)
(217) 424-2787 (phone)

Scheduling deadline: Requests submitted before 4:00 PM are typically scheduled for the following business day.
Inspection hours: Monday-Friday
Time windows: Inspector provides 20-minute advance notification via phone call

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Plan review (prior to permit issuance), framing/rough-in, electrical rough-in, plumbing rough-in, mechanical rough-in, insulation, final inspection, Certificate of Occupancy. Specific sequence varies by project type.

Remote video inspections may be used for certain inspection types at the city's discretion.

Source: Building Inspections Division, Department of Development Services ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Decatur permits

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

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

Building permit fees in Decatur, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based per fee schedule; contact (217) 424-2787 for specific tier amounts.. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee structure; contact department for specific amounts..

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

To apply for a building permit in Decatur, IL, follow these steps: 1. Determine whether a permit is required using the 'Start a Project' guide at decaturil.gov/473/Homeowner-Process. 2. Create an account or log in at https://decaturil.portal.opengov.com/. 3. Select the permit type (residential, commercial, trade permit, demolition, etc.) and complete the online application. 4. Upload required documents (site plan, floor plan, construction drawings, specifications as applicable). 5. Submit application and pay fees online through the portal or via Illinois ePay. 6. Allow up to 24 hours for payment processing. 7. Plans are reviewed by Building Inspections Division (structural, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, accessibility as applicable). 8. Permit is issued once plan review is approved. 9. Schedule inspections through the portal or by calling (217) 424-2787 before 4:00 PM for next-day scheduling. 10. Pass all required inspections and receive Certificate of Occupancy where applicable.

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

Building permit processing times in Decatur, IL typically run Next-day inspection scheduling available for requests submitted before 4:00 PM.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

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

Not all construction work requires a permit in Decatur, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Interior and exterior painting; Cabinet and appliance replacement; Flooring installation (carpet, hardwood, tile); Concrete flatwork (sidewalks, patios, driveways -- no structure); Fences less than 7 feet in height (non-privacy fences that allow 50% or more visibility may also be exempt); Detached accessory structures less than 200 square feet; Minor plumbing and heating repairs (no new work or modifications); Re-shingling a roof (in-kind replacement); Siding replacement; Replacement windows that are exactly the same size as existing windows; Wooden play sets and swing sets. Note: Zoning and floodplain authorities may separately review some of these items. Verify with Building Inspections Division. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Decatur, IL via: OpenGov portal, (217) 424-2787. Requests submitted before 4:00 PM are typically scheduled for the following business day..

last verified April 2026 source Building Inspections Division, Department of Development Services ↗ entry id permits/illinois/macon/decatur

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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building Inspections Division, Department of Development Services before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Decatur

Other jurisdictions in Macon County.