County Building Permits
Shelby County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Shelby County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
unincorporated Shelby County, including unincorporated villages
- Department
- Address
- 315 1/2 E Main Street, Shelbyville, IL 62565
- Phone
- 217-774-5797
Application Process
General Requirements
- Permit validity
- one year to begin construction.
- Building code
- county ordinance is not clearly published on the website; county remains subject to the Illinois statewide baseline code framework effective January 1, 2025.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $125
- Permit fee formula
- flat fee by permit type
- Reinspection fee
- county page states construction without a permit is a petty offense punishable by a fine not to exceed $500, with each week a separate offense
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Aluminum car ports
- Boat docks
Inspections
How to Schedule
- contact the Zoning Administrator by appointment (online)
Typical inspection sequence: apply after structure size and placement are decided and after sewer permit is obtained if required
Additional Resources
- Building code: county ordinance is not clearly published on the website; county remains subject to the Illinois statewide baseline code framework effective January 1, 2025.
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- GIS URL
- Fee schedule
- Permit requirement chart
- 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 before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Shelby County Building Permit FAQ
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Shelby County, IL?
- The minimum permit fee is $125. Fees are calculated as: flat fee by permit type.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Shelby County, IL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Aluminum car ports; Boat docks.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Shelby County, IL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: contact the Zoning Administrator by appointment.
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