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 (Downloadable PDF) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Submit building permit application to Rock Island County office.
- Provide site plan and construction drawings.
- Staff review for zoning and code.
- Pay fees (valuation-based).
- Receive permit.
Typical processing time: 2 weeks
Source: Rock Island County Zoning and Building Safety Department
General Requirements
New homes, garages, pole barns, sheds over 120 sq ft, and systems.
Required Documents
- Application
- Drawings
- Septic/well approval (if applicable)
- Building code
- 2012 IBC, 2012 IRC, 2011 NEC, Illinois Plumbing Code
- Owner-builder
- Permitted for primary residence.
- Contractor requirements
- Must register with County.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Valuation-based scale
- Plan check fee
- Included
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based
- Trade permit fee
- Included in valuation-based scale
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double fee for work 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
- Detached structures 120 sq ft or less (70 sq ft in floodplain)
- Fences 6 feet or less
- Retaining walls 4 feet or less
- Cosmetic finishes
- Swimming pools less than 18 inches deep
Important: Confirm edge cases with County before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 309-558-3771 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- Inspectors in field 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Time windows
- 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Rough, Final
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2012 IBC, 2012 IRC, 2011 NEC, Illinois 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 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?
- New homes, garages, pole barns, sheds over 120 sq ft, and systems.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Rock Island County, IL?
- The minimum permit fee is Valuation-based scale. 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 to Rock Island County office. 2. Provide site plan and construction drawings. 3. Staff review for zoning and code. 4. Pay fees (valuation-based). 5. Receive permit.
- 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: Detached structures 120 sq ft or less (70 sq ft in floodplain); Fences 6 feet or less; Retaining walls 4 feet or less; Cosmetic finishes; Swimming pools less than 18 inches deep. 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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