jaspector
§ IL McHenry County
County building permits

Unincorporated McHenry County

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

Min. permit fee
$30 (Sheds); $25 (Fences)
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Department of Planning and Development

Street address
667 Ware Rd, Room 208, Woodstock, IL 60098
Phone
(815) 334-4560
Email
plandev@mchenrycountyil.gov
Coverage
Serves ALL unincorporated areas of McHenry County.
Online portal
McHenry County Permit Portal
McHenry County Permit Portal
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for McHenry County

Any construction, additions, remodeling, decks, fences, sheds, pools.

Sheds under 150 sq. ft. (but still requires zoning setback review)
Minor repairs not involving structural or systems work
  • Exempt Sheds under 150 sq. ft. (but still requires zoning setback review)
  • Exempt Minor repairs not involving structural or systems work

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Planning and Development before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Application
  • Plans
  • Plat of survey
  • Stormwater review documents
Building code
2021 IBC/IRC/IFC/IMC/IFGC, 2020 NEC, latest IL Plumbing/Energy/Accessibility.
Permit validity
2 years; must begin within 6 months.
Owner-builder
Owner-builders permitted for primary residence.
Contractor requirements
State licenses for plumbing, roofing, electrical. Others must register.

Source: Department of Planning and Development ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 10 business days for complete applications.

  1. 01
    Submit application and documents through the Permit Portal.
  2. 02
    Concurrent review by Planning, Building, and Stormwater (approx. 10 days).
  3. 03
    Notification of approval and fee payment request.
  4. 04
    Permit issued electronically.

Typical processing time: 10 business days for complete applications.

Source: Department of Planning and Development ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

McHenry County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$30 (Sheds); $25 (Fences)
02
Plan check fee
$80 (standard residential)
03
Permit fee formula
$0.25 per sq ft + plan review ($80) + plumbing fees.
04
Trade permit fee
$25 base
05
Reinspection fee
Penalty fees apply for unpermitted work.

Accepts credit card, check, or exact cash.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
Inspection hours
Monday - Friday standard hours.
Time windows
Monday - Friday standard hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footing/Foundation, Rough (E/M/P), Framing, Insulation, Stormwater, Final.

Source: Department of Planning and Development ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated McHenry County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated McHenry County, IL? ▸
Any construction, additions, remodeling, decks, fences, sheds, pools.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McHenry County, IL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated McHenry County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $30 (Sheds); $25 (Fences). Fees are calculated as: $0.25 per sq ft + plan review ($80) + plumbing fees.. Plan check fee: $80 (standard residential).
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated McHenry County, IL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated McHenry County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Submit application and documents through the Permit Portal. 2. Concurrent review by Planning, Building, and Stormwater (approx. 10 days). 3. Notification of approval and fee payment request. 4. Permit issued electronically.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated McHenry County, IL? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated McHenry County, IL typically run 10 business days for complete applications.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated McHenry County, IL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated McHenry County, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Sheds under 150 sq. ft. (but still requires zoning setback review); Minor repairs not involving structural or systems work. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Planning and Development before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McHenry County, IL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McHenry County, IL via: Online via portal or 24/7 call (815) 334-4560.
last verified April 2026 source Department of Planning and Development ↗ entry id permits/illinois/mchenry/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Department of Planning and Development before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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