How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McLean County, IL?

The minimum permit fee is $90.00 (detached accessory buildings under 250 sq ft); $100.00 (commercial minimum; occupancy permits; temporary permits).. Fees are calculated as: Single family dwellings (any size): $375.00 flat fee. Additions to single family dwellings: Less than 650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Detached accessory buildings: Less than 250 sq ft: $90.00; 250-650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Accessory structures to single-family dwellings on same lot (decks, pools, solar arrays): $100.00. Occupancy permits (change in use only): $100.00. Temporary occupancy permits: $100.00. Temporary mobile home permits: $100.00. Business/advertising signs: Less than 50 sq ft: $95.00; 50-200 sq ft: $115.00; Over 200 sq ft: $135.00. Commercial building permits: Minimum fee: $100.00; Standard rate: $3.00 per $1,000 of value up to $5,000,000; Over $5,000,000: $15,000 plus $0.50 per $1,000 of value exceeding $5,000,000.. Plan check fee: Not separately identified in reviewed data; may be included in permit fee or charged as part of commercial review. Contact department..

How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McLean County, IL?

Inspections can be scheduled via: (309) 888-5160.

County Building Permits

McLean County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide

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

Illinois Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Regulates construction in ALL unincorporated areas of McLean County — that is, all properties located outside the limits of any city, village, or town in the county. This includes rural residential, agricultural, and commercial properties not within any incorporated municipality. The department enforces zoning, flood hazard, subdivision, and building permit regulations for these areas.

Department: McLean County Department of Building and Zoning
Address: 115 E. Washington St., Room M102, Bloomington, IL 61701. Mailing: P.O. Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61701
Phone: (309) 888-5160
Email: Contact by phone
Website: https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/78/Building-Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Open McLean County Building Permits

Platform: In-person • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Confirm the property is in an unincorporated area (not within any municipality). If within a municipality, contact that municipality's building department instead.
Download the Building Permit Requirements PDF from https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/687/Building-Permits (PDF link on that page).
For commercial projects, review the Commercial Building Permit Requirements PDF and the Commercial Building Inspection Form PDF at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/606/Commercial-Building-Permit-Requirements.
Complete the application with required plans, specifications, and supporting information.
Submit application and pay permit fee at Room M102.
Stake-out inspection is scheduled (verifies improvement location on site).
Foundation inspection is scheduled.
Final inspection is completed before occupancy permit is issued.

Source: McLean County Department of Building and Zoning

General Requirements

Permits are required for most construction projects prior to start of construction. Residential triggers include: home additions (decks, porches, patios), detached structures (storage buildings, play equipment, pools), new homes, ponds, and most fences. Construction permits are required for any improvement to or addition to a building, structure, or land improvement; relocation of a building; or any structural alteration that changes the use of a building. Application for commercial building permits must be accompanied by plans, specifications, and supplementary information.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Site plans and specifications
For commercial projects, full construction documents complying with the adopted building codes
Commercial Building Inspection Form

Permit validity: Not explicitly stated on reviewed pages; contact (309) 888-5160.
Contractor requirements: State-licensed electricians (IDFPR) and plumbers (IDFPR) required. Illinois has no statewide general contractor license; any additional local registration requirements should be confirmed with the department at (309) 888-5160.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: $90.00 (detached accessory buildings under 250 sq ft); $100.00 (commercial minimum; occupancy permits; temporary permits).
Plan check fee: Not separately identified in reviewed data; may be included in permit fee or charged as part of commercial review. Contact department.
Permit fee formula: Single family dwellings (any size): $375.00 flat fee. Additions to single family dwellings: Less than 650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Detached accessory buildings: Less than 250 sq ft: $90.00; 250-650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Accessory structures to single-family dwellings on same lot (decks, pools, solar arrays): $100.00. Occupancy permits (change in use only): $100.00. Temporary occupancy permits: $100.00. Temporary mobile home permits: $100.00. Business/advertising signs: Less than 50 sq ft: $95.00; 50-200 sq ft: $115.00; Over 200 sq ft: $135.00. Commercial building permits: Minimum fee: $100.00; Standard rate: $3.00 per $1,000 of value up to $5,000,000; Over $5,000,000: $15,000 plus $0.50 per $1,000 of value exceeding $5,000,000.
Payment note: In person at Room M102. Contact department to confirm payment methods accepted. Fees are subject to change by County Board action; verify current fees at (309) 888-5160.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026 (verify for current updates)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the McLean County Department of Building and Zoning to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(309) 888-5160 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Typical inspection sequence: 1. Stake-out inspection — verifies location of improvement on the lot before construction begins. 2. Foundation inspection — verifies foundation before covering. 3. Final inspection — conducted upon completion; occupancy permit is issued after passing final inspection.

Additional Resources

Zoning information: View zoning info
Commercial Permit Requirements
Current Fees
Construction Permits
Agricultural Exemption
Zoning Ordinance (ecode360)
Zoning Board of Appeals
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 McLean County Department of Building and Zoning before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions

McLean County Building Permit FAQ

Do I need a building permit in unincorporated McLean County, IL?: Permits are required for most construction projects prior to start of construction. Residential triggers include: home additions (decks, porches, patios), detached structures (storage buildings, play equipment, pools), new homes, ponds, and most fences. Construction permits are required for any improvement to or addition to a building, structure, or land improvement; relocation of a building; or any structural alteration that changes the use of a building. Application for commercial building permits must be accompanied by plans, specifications, and supplementary information.
How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated McLean County, IL?: The minimum permit fee is $90.00 (detached accessory buildings under 250 sq ft); $100.00 (commercial minimum; occupancy permits; temporary permits).. Fees are calculated as: Single family dwellings (any size): $375.00 flat fee. Additions to single family dwellings: Less than 650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Detached accessory buildings: Less than 250 sq ft: $90.00; 250-650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Accessory structures to single-family dwellings on same lot (decks, pools, solar arrays): $100.00. Occupancy permits (change in use only): $100.00. Temporary occupancy permits: $100.00. Temporary mobile home permits: $100.00. Business/advertising signs: Less than 50 sq ft: $95.00; 50-200 sq ft: $115.00; Over 200 sq ft: $135.00. Commercial building permits: Minimum fee: $100.00; Standard rate: $3.00 per $1,000 of value up to $5,000,000; Over $5,000,000: $15,000 plus $0.50 per $1,000 of value exceeding $5,000,000.. Plan check fee: Not separately identified in reviewed data; may be included in permit fee or charged as part of commercial review. Contact department..
How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated McLean County, IL?: 1. Confirm the property is in an unincorporated area (not within any municipality). If within a municipality, contact that municipality's building department instead. 2. Download the Building Permit Requirements PDF from https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/687/Building-Permits (PDF link on that page). 3. For commercial projects, review the Commercial Building Permit Requirements PDF and the Commercial Building Inspection Form PDF at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/606/Commercial-Building-Permit-Requirements. 4. Complete the application with required plans, specifications, and supporting information. 5. Submit application and pay permit fee at Room M102. 6. Stake-out inspection is scheduled (verifies improvement location on site). 7. Foundation inspection is scheduled. 8. Final inspection is completed before occupancy permit is issued.
How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McLean County, IL?: Inspections can be scheduled via: (309) 888-5160.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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