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County building permits

Unincorporated Peoria County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Peoria County Planning & Zoning Department

Street address
324 Main Street, Room 301, Peoria, IL 61602
Coverage
Rome is an unincorporated community in Peoria County. All permits, inspections, and fees are handled by the Peoria County Planning & Zoning Department.
Online portal
Building Permits
Manual/Email-based
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Peoria County

New buildings, additions, alterations, decks > 25 sq. ft., sheds > 200 sq. ft., pools, fences, and demolitions.

One-story detached accessory structures < 200 sq. ft. (Building permit exempt, but zoning setbacks apply)
Fences under 7 feet (Building permit exempt, but zoning certificate may be required)
Retaining walls under 4 feet
Decks under 25 sq. ft.
  • Exempt One-story detached accessory structures < 200 sq. ft. (Building permit exempt, but zoning setbacks apply)
  • Exempt Fences under 7 feet (Building permit exempt, but zoning certificate may be required)
  • Exempt Retaining walls under 4 feet
  • Exempt Decks under 25 sq. ft.

Note: Building permit exempt does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Peoria County Planning & Zoning before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Application
  • Site Plan (must show setbacks)
  • Construction Plans
  • Illinois Energy Conservation Code compliance
Building code
2018 IRC, 2018 IBC (transitioning to 2021 per state mandate), 2017 NEC, 2021 IL Energy Conservation Code.
Permit validity
6 months to start; 1 year to complete.
Owner-builder
Owner-builders are allowed for primary residence.
Contractor requirements
State license required for Plumbers and Roofers. Septic contractors must be registered with the Health Dept.

Source: Peoria County Planning & Zoning Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: Residential: 2-3 business days; Commercial: 14 business days.

  1. 01
    Email application and plans to buildingpermits@peoriacounty.org.
  2. 02
    Staff reviews submittal for zoning compliance and code adherence.
  3. 03
    Applicant receives invoice for fees.
  4. 04
    Pay fees online or via phone (309-672-6915).
  5. 05
    Permit issued and emailed to applicant.

Typical processing time: Residential: 2-3 business days; Commercial: 14 business days.

Source: Peoria County Planning & Zoning Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Peoria County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$750 (New Construction), $250 (Additions/Alterations)
02
Plan check fee
Included in permit fee.
03
Permit fee formula
$0.50 per sq. ft. for residential new/additions; $0.20 per sq. ft. for accessory structures.
04
Reinspection fee
$75 Reinspection fee

3% service charge for credit cards. $45 Technology Fee added to all permits.

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (309) 672-6915 (phone)
Inspection hours
Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Foundation, Under-slab, Rough-in, Framing, Insulation, Final.

Source: Peoria County Planning & Zoning Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Peoria County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Peoria County, IL?
New buildings, additions, alterations, decks > 25 sq. ft., sheds > 200 sq. ft., pools, fences, and demolitions.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Peoria County, IL?
Building permit fees in unincorporated Peoria County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $750 (New Construction), $250 (Additions/Alterations). Fees are calculated as: $0.50 per sq. ft. for residential new/additions; $0.20 per sq. ft. for accessory structures.. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee..
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Peoria County, IL?
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Peoria County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Email application and plans to buildingpermits@peoriacounty.org. 2. Staff reviews submittal for zoning compliance and code adherence. 3. Applicant receives invoice for fees. 4. Pay fees online or via phone (309-672-6915). 5. Permit issued and emailed to applicant.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Peoria County, IL?
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Peoria County, IL typically run Residential: 2-3 business days; Commercial: 14 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Peoria County, IL?
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Peoria County, IL. The following work is generally exempt: One-story detached accessory structures < 200 sq. ft. (Building permit exempt, but zoning setbacks apply); Fences under 7 feet (Building permit exempt, but zoning certificate may be required); Retaining walls under 4 feet; Decks under 25 sq. ft.. Note: Building permit exempt does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm edge cases with Peoria County Planning & Zoning before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Peoria County, IL?
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Peoria County, IL via: (309) 672-6915.
last verified April 2026 source Peoria County Planning & Zoning Department ↗ entry id permits/illinois/peoria/rome

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