Macon County, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Macon County Planning and Zoning Department

Street address

141 S. Main Street, Room 501, Decatur, IL 62523

Phone

(217) 424-1466

amckinney@maconcounty.illinois.gov

Coverage

Covers ONLY unincorporated areas of Macon County. Does NOT issue permits for properties within any incorporated city or village (Decatur, Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Warrensburg, Niantic, Argenta, Blue Mound, Harristown, Macon, Oreana). The community of Oakley is unincorporated and served by this department.

Online portal

Macon County Planning and Zoning

County government website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Macon County

All new construction and remodel projects in unincorporated Macon County require a permit before work begins. This applies to new homes, additions, outbuildings, garages, decks, and other structures.

Note: Specific exempt work list not publicly extracted. Minor repairs and maintenance are generally exempt under IBC/IRC frameworks. Contact Macon County Planning and Zoning at (217) 424-1466 for specific exempt work categories for unincorporated Macon County.

Required documents

Full building permit application packet (available from county)
Site plan
Construction drawings as applicable
Zoning compliance documentation

Building code: Macon County Code Chapter 150 (Codes Adopted) and Chapter 152 (Construction Standards) govern building activity. County explicitly enforces the International Building Code for all new construction and remodel projects. Under PA 103-0510, the county must enforce IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023, and related minimum standards effective January 1, 2025. Contact department for currently enforced edition.
Permit validity: Contact (217) 424-1466 for permit expiration details.
Contractor requirements: State-licensed electricians and plumbers required per Illinois IDFPR. No confirmed county-level general contractor registration; verify with department.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Contact Macon County Planning and Zoning at (217) 424-1466 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, excluding legal holidays) to determine permit requirements.
02

Download the building permit application packet from the county website, or pick up in person at Room 501, 141 S. Main Street, Decatur.
03

Complete the full application packet, including site plan, plot plan, and construction details.
04

Submit completed application in person to the Planning and Zoning office.
05

Application is reviewed by county staff.
06

Pay applicable permit fees.
07

Permit is issued.
08

Begin construction with permit posted on site.
09

Schedule required inspections with county staff.
10

Pass all required inspections.

Source: Macon County Planning and Zoning Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective Section 156.10 Fee Schedule and Permitting Processes

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Contact (217) 424-1466 for current fee schedule

Reinspection fee

Permit fee doubled if work begins before permit is issued

Penalty (no permit)

Permit fee doubled if work begins before permit is issued (stop work order issued)

In-person payment at county office presumed; contact department for payment methods.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective Section 156.10 Fee Schedule and Permitting Processes) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(217) 424-1466 (phone)
Fax to (217) 424-1459 (mail)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, excluding legal holidays

Typical sequence: Determined by project type per adopted IBC/IRC; contact department for required inspection stages.

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Macon County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Macon County, IL? ▸

All new construction and remodel projects in unincorporated Macon County require a permit before work begins. This applies to new homes, additions, outbuildings, garages, decks, and other structures.

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Macon County, IL? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Macon County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Contact (217) 424-1466 for current fee schedule.

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Macon County, IL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Macon County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Contact Macon County Planning and Zoning at (217) 424-1466 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, excluding legal holidays) to determine permit requirements. 2. Download the building permit application packet from the county website, or pick up in person at Room 501, 141 S. Main Street, Decatur. 3. Complete the full application packet, including site plan, plot plan, and construction details. 4. Submit completed application in person to the Planning and Zoning office. 5. Application is reviewed by county staff. 6. Pay applicable permit fees. 7. Permit is issued. 8. Begin construction with permit posted on site. 9. Schedule required inspections with county staff. 10. Pass all required inspections.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Macon County, IL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Macon County, IL via: (217) 424-1466, Fax to (217) 424-1459.

last verified April 2026 source Macon County Planning and Zoning Department ↗ entry id permits/illinois/macon/unincorporated

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Macon County Planning and Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Unincorporated Macon County