McLean County, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

McLean County Department of Building and Zoning

Street address

115 E. Washington St., Room M102, Bloomington, IL 61701. Mailing: P.O. Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61701

Phone

(309) 888-5160

Contact by phone

Coverage

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.

Online portal

McLean County Building Permits

In-person

Website

Department website

Additional resources

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for McLean County

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.

Note: The agricultural exemption is primarily a zoning exemption; building code compliance obligations under PA 103-0510 may still apply to certain agricultural structures. Confirm project-specific applicability with the department.

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.

Source: McLean County Department of Building and Zoning ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Confirm the property is in an unincorporated area (not within any municipality). If within a municipality, contact that municipality's building department instead.
02

Download the Building Permit Requirements PDF from https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/687/Building-Permits (PDF link on that page).
03

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.
04

Complete the application with required plans, specifications, and supporting information.
05

Submit application and pay permit fee at Room M102.
06

Stake-out inspection is scheduled (verifies improvement location on site).
07

Foundation inspection is scheduled.
08

Final inspection is completed before occupancy permit is issued.

Source: McLean County Department of Building and Zoning ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Effective 2026 (verify for current updates)

Fee type

Amount

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.

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 periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ (effective 2026 (verify for current updates)) before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(309) 888-5160 (phone)

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

Typical 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.

Source: McLean County Department of Building and Zoning ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated McLean County permits

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

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

Building permit fees in unincorporated McLean County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. 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..

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

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated McLean County, IL, follow these steps: 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.

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

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated McLean County, IL via: (309) 888-5160.

last verified April 2026 source McLean County Department of Building and Zoning ↗ entry id permits/illinois/mclean/unincorporated

Report a correction

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

Unincorporated McLean County