Harvard, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Community Development Department, Building & Zoning

Street address

201 West Diggins St., Harvard, IL 60033

Phone

(815) 943-6468 (Option 2)

permits@cityofharvard.org

Coverage

Serves incorporated City of Harvard.

Online portal

Building Permit Application

In-house / PDF forms

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Harvard

Mandatory for any construction, alteration, or repair (excluding "ordinary repairs").

Scope of work

Permit?

Ordinary repairs (non-structural, no system changes)

Exempt

Cosmetic updates

Exempt

Exempt Ordinary repairs (non-structural, no system changes)
Exempt Cosmetic updates

Note: Confirm specific exemptions with Community Development.

Required documents

Application
Site plan
Survey
Scaled plans (>100 sq ft)

Building code: 2021 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFC/IPMC/ISPSC, 2020 NEC, latest IL Plumbing/Accessibility.
Owner-builder: Owner-builders permitted for primary residence.
Contractor requirements: All contractors must be registered with the City.

Source: Community Development Department, Building & Zoning ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Submit application, site plan, and survey to permits@cityofharvard.org.
02

Department reviews for code and zoning.
03

Notification of permit readiness.
04

Payment and issuance.

Source: Community Development Department, Building & Zoning ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Harvard building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Double fee or $250 penalty for unpermitted work.

Plan check fee

Included or varies by scope.

Permit fee formula

Square-footage-based for new construction.

Reinspection fee

Double permit fee for starting without permit.

Impact fees apply to new units.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(815) 943-6468 — 24-hour notice required (phone)

Scheduling deadline: 24-hour notice required.
Inspection hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Time windows: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Rough, Insulation, Final. Plumbing handled by third-party.

Source: Community Development Department, Building & Zoning ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Harvard permits

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

Mandatory for any construction, alteration, or repair (excluding "ordinary repairs").

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

Building permit fees in Harvard, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Double fee or $250 penalty for unpermitted work.. Fees are calculated as: Square-footage-based for new construction.. Plan check fee: Included or varies by scope..

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

To apply for a building permit in Harvard, IL, follow these steps: 1. Submit application, site plan, and survey to permits@cityofharvard.org. 2. Department reviews for code and zoning. 3. Notification of permit readiness. 4. Payment and issuance.

04 What work is exempt from building permits in Harvard, IL? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Harvard, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Ordinary repairs (non-structural, no system changes); Cosmetic updates. Note: Confirm specific exemptions with Community Development. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

05 How do I schedule a building inspection in Harvard, IL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Harvard, IL via: (815) 943-6468 — 24-hour notice required. 24-hour notice required..

last verified April 2026 source Community Development Department, Building & Zoning ↗ entry id permits/illinois/mchenry/harvard

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Community Development Department, Building & Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

City of Harvard

Other jurisdictions in McHenry County.