jaspector
§ IL St. Clair County
County building permits

Unincorporated St. Clair County

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

Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Building & Zoning Department

Street address
10 Public Square, 5th Floor, Belleville, IL 62220
Phone
(618) 825-2528
Coverage
All unincorporated areas of St. Clair County.
Online portal
County Zoning Forms
Downloadable forms
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for St. Clair County

New construction, additions, structures > 120 sq ft, fences > 7ft, retaining walls > 4ft.

Sheds/Playhouses under 120 sq ft
Fences up to 7 feet
Retaining walls up to 4 feet
Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets)
Prefab pools < 24 inches deep and <= 5,000 gallons
  • Exempt Sheds/Playhouses under 120 sq ft
  • Exempt Fences up to 7 feet
  • Exempt Retaining walls up to 4 feet
  • Exempt Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets)
  • Exempt Prefab pools < 24 inches deep and <= 5,000 gallons

Note: Confirm all exempt work with the County Building & Zoning Department before proceeding.

Required documents
  • Application
  • Scaled plans (sealed for commercial)
  • 9-1-1 address
Building code
2012 IBC, 2012 IRC, Current Illinois Plumbing & Energy Codes
Contractor requirements
Trade licenses (elec/plumb) through state.

Source: Building & Zoning Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

  1. 01
    Obtain assigned address from 9-1-1 Office (618-277-7316).
  2. 02
    Download/Collect application forms.
  3. 03
    Submit application, zoning compliance ($30), and scaled plans.
  4. 04
    Review for building and stormwater compliance.
  5. 05
    Pay fees and receive permit.

Source: Building & Zoning Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

St. Clair County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Plan check fee
$75 residential / $100 commercial
02
Permit fee formula
Square foot based for new construction
03
Reinspection fee
$75 per failed inspection; Stormwater/Erosion 34% of permit fee

Paid at County office

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (618) 277-6600 Ext. 2644 (phone)
Scheduling deadline
24 hours notice
Inspection hours
Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Framing, Rough, Final.

Source: Building & Zoning Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated St. Clair County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL? ▸
New construction, additions, structures > 120 sq ft, fences > 7ft, retaining walls > 4ft.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. Fees are calculated as: Square foot based for new construction. Plan check fee: $75 residential / $100 commercial.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Obtain assigned address from 9-1-1 Office (618-277-7316). 2. Download/Collect application forms. 3. Submit application, zoning compliance ($30), and scaled plans. 4. Review for building and stormwater compliance. 5. Pay fees and receive permit.
04 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Sheds/Playhouses under 120 sq ft; Fences up to 7 feet; Retaining walls up to 4 feet; Finish work (painting, tiling, carpeting, cabinets); Prefab pools < 24 inches deep and <= 5,000 gallons. Note: Confirm all exempt work with the County Building & Zoning Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
05 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated St. Clair County, IL via: (618) 277-6600 Ext. 2644. 24 hours notice.
last verified April 2026 source Building & Zoning Department ↗ entry id permits/illinois/st-clair/unincorporated
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Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building & Zoning Department before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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