City Building Permits
Peoria, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in Peoria, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Incorporated limits of the City of Peoria.
- Department
- City of Peoria Community Development Department, Building Safety Division
- Address
- 419 Fulton Street, Room 203, Peoria, IL 61602
- Phone
- (309) 494-8620
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Manual/Email-based (Transitioning to digital workflows) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Submit completed application and digital PDF plans to buildingpermits@peoriagov.org.
- Initial intake review for completeness.
- Plan review by various departments (Building, Zoning, Engineering, Fire).
- Applicant notified of comments or approval.
- Pay permit fees via phone (309-494-8620) or in person.
- Permit issued via email.
Typical processing time: 2 to 20 business days depending on complexity.
Source: City of Peoria Community Development Department, Building Safety Division
General Requirements
New construction, additions, structural alterations, basement finishes, decks, pools, fences (zoning certificate), and all major trade work.
Required Documents
- Completed application form
- Site plan
- Construction drawings (floor plans, elevations, structural details)
- Energy compliance certificate
- Permit validity
- Typically 6 months to start work; 1 year to complete.
- Building code
- 2018 IBC/IRC (transitioning to 2021/2024 per IL state mandate), 2021 IL Energy Conservation Code, 2017 NEC, IL Plumbing Code.
- Owner-builder
- Owners may perform work on their primary residence but must sign an affidavit and comply with all codes/inspections.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Approximately $50 - $100 depending on project type
- Plan check fee
- Often included in the base permit fee or calculated as a percentage of the total fee.
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based ($ per $1,000 of construction cost).
- Reinspection fee
- $75 for first reinspection
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double the fee for work started without permit.
- Payment note
- 3% service charge for credit cards.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work
- Swings and other playground equipment
- Window awnings supported by an exterior wall
- One-story detached accessory structures (sheds) less than 120 sq. ft. (though zoning setbacks still apply)
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Building Safety Division before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (309) 494-8620 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footing/Foundation, Rough-in (Electric/Plumb/Mech), Framing, Insulation, Final.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2018 IBC/IRC (transitioning to 2021/2024 per IL state mandate), 2021 IL Energy Conservation Code, 2017 NEC, IL Plumbing Code.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- 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 City of Peoria Community Development Department, Building Safety Division before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Peoria Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in Peoria, IL?
- New construction, additions, structural alterations, basement finishes, decks, pools, fences (zoning certificate), and all major trade work.
- How much does a building permit cost in Peoria, IL?
- The minimum permit fee is Approximately $50 - $100 depending on project type. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based ($ per $1,000 of construction cost).. Plan check fee: Often included in the base permit fee or calculated as a percentage of the total fee..
- How do I apply for a building permit in Peoria, IL?
- 1. Submit completed application and digital PDF plans to buildingpermits@peoriagov.org. 2. Initial intake review for completeness. 3. Plan review by various departments (Building, Zoning, Engineering, Fire). 4. Applicant notified of comments or approval. 5. Pay permit fees via phone (309-494-8620) or in person. 6. Permit issued via email.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in Peoria, IL?
- Typical processing time is 2 to 20 business days depending on complexity..
- What work is exempt from building permits in Peoria, IL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, counter tops and similar finish work; Swings and other playground equipment; Window awnings supported by an exterior wall; One-story detached accessory structures (sheds) less than 120 sq. ft. (though zoning setbacks still apply). Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Building Safety Division before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in Peoria, IL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (309) 494-8620.
Need help with your project?
Navigating permits in Peoria can be complicated.
Jaspector connects you with local experts who can review your scope, verify your contractor, and help you understand what permits your project actually needs.
Learn how Jaspector worksOther cities in Peoria County