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§ IL Monroe County
County building permits

Unincorporated Monroe County

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

Code adoption
2006 IBC, 2005 NEC, Illinois State Plumbing Code
Avg processing
5-10 business days
Min. permit fee
~$50.00
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Monroe County Zoning Office

Street address
100 S. Main St., Waterloo, IL 62298 (Courthouse, 2nd Floor)
Phone
(618) 939-8681 ext. 260
Email
zoning@monroecountyil.gov
Coverage
All areas in Monroe County outside of incorporated city/village limits.
Online portal
Monroe County Cloudpermit Portal
Cloudpermit
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Monroe County

New structures, additions, structural alterations, portable sheds/carports 100 sq. ft. or larger, in-ground pools, and fences over 6 feet.

Fences 6 feet and under
Portable sheds/carports under 100 sq. ft.
General maintenance and cosmetic repairs
  • Exempt Fences 6 feet and under
  • Exempt Portable sheds/carports under 100 sq. ft.
  • Exempt General maintenance and cosmetic repairs

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Monroe County Zoning Office before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Site plan
  • Karst evaluation (if applicable)
  • Structural drawings
  • Health Dept. approval for septic/well
Building code
2006 IBC, 2005 NEC, Illinois State Plumbing Code
Permit validity
1 year.
Owner-builder
Permitted.
Contractor requirements
State license required for Plumbing and Roofing.

Source: Monroe County Zoning Office ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 5-10 business days

  1. 01
    Create account on Cloudpermit.
  2. 02
    Select permit type (Building, Electrical, etc.) and enter property details.
  3. 03
    Upload site plan (showing Karst evaluation if in sinkhole area) and construction plans.
  4. 04
    Zoning Administrator reviews for compliance with County ordinances.
  5. 05
    Fees are invoiced and paid online.
  6. 06
    Permit issued digitally.

Typical processing time: 5-10 business days

Source: Monroe County Zoning Office ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Monroe County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
~$50.00
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee for residential
03
Permit fee formula
Valuation-based
04
Reinspection fee
Fees doubled for unpermitted starts

Credit card online or check/cash at Courthouse

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (618) 939-8681 ext. 260 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
48-hour notice required

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footing -> Rough-in -> Final.

Source: Monroe County Zoning Office ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Monroe County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, IL? ▸
New structures, additions, structural alterations, portable sheds/carports 100 sq. ft. or larger, in-ground pools, and fences over 6 feet.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Monroe County, IL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Monroe County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is ~$50.00. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee for residential.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, IL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Create account on Cloudpermit. 2. Select permit type (Building, Electrical, etc.) and enter property details. 3. Upload site plan (showing Karst evaluation if in sinkhole area) and construction plans. 4. Zoning Administrator reviews for compliance with County ordinances. 5. Fees are invoiced and paid online. 6. Permit issued digitally.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Monroe County, IL? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Monroe County, IL typically run 5-10 business days. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Monroe County, IL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Monroe County, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Fences 6 feet and under; Portable sheds/carports under 100 sq. ft.; General maintenance and cosmetic repairs. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Monroe County Zoning Office before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Monroe County, IL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Monroe County, IL via: (618) 939-8681 ext. 260. 48-hour notice required.
last verified April 2026 source Monroe County Zoning Office ↗ entry id permits/illinois/monroe/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Monroe County Zoning Office before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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