County Building Permits
Rock Island County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rock Island County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated area under direct Rock Island County jurisdiction.
- Department
- Rock Island County Zoning and Building Safety Department
- Address
- 1504 Third Avenue, Room 305, Rock Island, IL 61201
- Phone
- 309-558-3771
- gthorpe@ricountyil.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: N/A (PDF Downloads) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Submit building permit application and plans to the County.
- Site plan review for zoning and flood compliance.
- Code review of construction drawings.
- Pay fees at County office.
- Permit issued.
Typical processing time: 2 weeks
Source: Rock Island County Zoning and Building Safety Department
General Requirements
All new structures, additions, remodels, and MEP systems.
Required Documents
- Application
- Plans
- Contractor bond
- Building code
- 2012 IBC, 2012 IRC, 2011 NEC
- Owner-builder
- Permitted for primary residence.
- Contractor requirements
- County registration.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Valuation-based
- Plan check fee
- Included
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based
- Trade permit fee
- Included in valuation-based scale
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double fee for starting without permit
- Payment note
- Cash or check only
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Same as Rock Island County standard exemptions: detached structures 120 sq ft or less, fences 6 feet or less, retaining walls 4 feet or less, cosmetic finishes, prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep, window awnings projecting less than 54 inches, playground equipment
Important: Confirm edge cases with County before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 309-558-3771 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Monday - Friday
- Time windows
- Field inspections during office hours
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Rough, Final
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2012 IBC, 2012 IRC, 2011 NEC
- 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 Rock Island County Zoning and Building Safety Department before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rock Island County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Rock Island County, IL?
- All new structures, additions, remodels, and MEP systems.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Rock Island County, IL?
- The minimum permit fee is Valuation-based. Fees are calculated as: Valuation-based. Plan check fee: Included.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rock Island County, IL?
- 1. Submit building permit application and plans to the County. 2. Site plan review for zoning and flood compliance. 3. Code review of construction drawings. 4. Pay fees at County office. 5. Permit issued.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Rock Island County, IL?
- Typical processing time is 2 weeks.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Rock Island County, IL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Same as Rock Island County standard exemptions: detached structures 120 sq ft or less, fences 6 feet or less, retaining walls 4 feet or less, cosmetic finishes, prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep, window awnings projecting less than 54 inches, playground equipment. Note: Confirm edge cases with County before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Rock Island County, IL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: 309-558-3771.
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