County Building Permits
Massac County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Massac County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Massac County (all land outside the incorporated limits of Metropolis, Brookport, and Joppa).
- Department
- Massac County Clerk and Recorder
- Address
- Massac County Courthouse, 1 Superman Square, Metropolis, IL 62960
- Phone
- 618-524-5213
- Website
- https://www.massaccountyil.gov/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: In-Person • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- If a county permit is required, obtain the application and instructions from the identified county office.
- For septic systems or private water wells, separately contact Southern 7 Health Department at (618) 634-2297 ext. 973114 to obtain the required environmental health permits.
- For projects involving electrical work, confirm that the licensed electrician complies with the NEC 2023 and any applicable state requirements.
- For projects involving plumbing, confirm that the licensed plumber complies with the Illinois Plumbing Code.
- Complete and submit all required applications.
- Obtain inspections as required.
Source: Massac County Clerk and Recorder
General Requirements
Cannot be confirmed from public sources for county-level general building permits. A permit from Southern 7 Health Department is required before installing any new private septic system or drilling a private water well. As of January 1, 2025, any construction in unincorporated Massac County must meet the minimum standards of Public Act 103-0510 (IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, Illinois Plumbing Code).
Required Documents
- Not confirmed. Contact 618-524-5213 for current requirements.
- Building code
- Public Act 103-0510 mandates enforcement of IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, and Illinois Plumbing Code as minimum standards effective January 1, 2025. Contact the County Clerk to verify the county's current code adoption status.
- Contractor requirements
- Illinois does not have a statewide general contractor license. Electricians and plumbers must hold valid IDFPR licenses. No county-level contractor registration identified.
Fees
- Payment note
- Contact 618-524-5213. Septic permit fees (Southern 7 Health Department): Fees are payable via online portal at courtmoney.com. Contact Southern 7 at (618) 634-2297 ext. 973114 for current fee amounts.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Ordinary residential and agricultural construction may proceed without a county-issued permit if the county does not operate a formal building permit program (subject to compliance with state code standards under Public Act 103-0510)
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 618-524-5213 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- County Clerk typically Monday-Friday business hours (call to confirm). Southern 7 Health Department: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Public Act 103-0510 mandates enforcement of IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, and Illinois Plumbing Code as minimum standards effective January 1, 2025. Contact the County Clerk to verify the county's current code adoption status.
- Verify contractor license: Illinois IDFPR Professional License Lookup
- County Main Website
- County GIS/Parcel Map
- Southern 7 Health Department
- Illinois Capital Development Board
- Massac County Clerk
- 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 Massac County Clerk and Recorder before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Massac County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Massac County, IL?
- Cannot be confirmed from public sources for county-level general building permits. A permit from Southern 7 Health Department is required before installing any new private septic system or drilling a private water well. As of January 1, 2025, any construction in unincorporated Massac County must meet the minimum standards of Public Act 103-0510 (IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, Illinois Plumbing Code).
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Massac County, IL?
- 1. If a county permit is required, obtain the application and instructions from the identified county office. 2. For septic systems or private water wells, separately contact Southern 7 Health Department at (618) 634-2297 ext. 973114 to obtain the required environmental health permits. 3. For projects involving electrical work, confirm that the licensed electrician complies with the NEC 2023 and any applicable state requirements. 4. For projects involving plumbing, confirm that the licensed plumber complies with the Illinois Plumbing Code. 5. Complete and submit all required applications. 6. Obtain inspections as required.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Massac County, IL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary residential and agricultural construction may proceed without a county-issued permit if the county does not operate a formal building permit program (subject to compliance with state code standards under Public Act 103-0510).
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Massac County, IL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 618-524-5213.
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