County Building Permits
Stark County, IL - 2026 Building Permit Guide
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Elmira is an unincorporated township; all building and zoning is managed directly by the county.
- Department
- Stark County Department of Building & Zoning
- Address
- 130 W. Main St., Toulon, IL 61483
- Phone
- (309) 286-7172
Online Permit Portal
Platform: iWorq • Account required: Yes • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Contact Stark County Zoning for unincorporated Elmira requirements.
- Submit application and site plan.
- Obtain Health Department approval for septic/well (mandatory in unincorporated areas).
- Review process by the County Zoning Administrator.
- Permit issuance.
Typical processing time: 10-14 days
General Requirements
All new structures, additions, and changes of use.
Required Documents
- Septic/Well permit
- Site plan
- Construction plans
- Permit validity
- 1 year
- Building code
- 2021 IBC/IRC
- Owner-builder
- Owners may build their own homes.
- Contractor requirements
- Standard IL state licenses for plumbing/roofing.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $150.00
- Permit fee formula
- $0.10/sq ft
- Reinspection fee
- 50% penalty for early start
- Payment note
- Paid to Stark County
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Agricultural buildings (fee exempt, zoning compliance required)
- Sheds under 120 sq ft
Important: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Stark County Department of Building & Zoning before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- (309) 286-7172 (phone)
- Inspection hours
- M-F 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Framing, Rough, Final.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 IBC/IRC
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- Henry & Stark County Health Department
- 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 Stark County Department of Building & Zoning before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stark County Building Permit FAQ
- Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, IL?
- All new structures, additions, and changes of use.
- How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Stark County, IL?
- The minimum permit fee is $150.00. Fees are calculated as: $0.10/sq ft.
- How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, IL?
- 1. Contact Stark County Zoning for unincorporated Elmira requirements. 2. Submit application and site plan. 3. Obtain Health Department approval for septic/well (mandatory in unincorporated areas). 4. Review process by the County Zoning Administrator. 5. Permit issuance.
- How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, IL?
- Typical processing time is 10-14 days.
- What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stark County, IL?
- The following work is generally exempt: Agricultural buildings (fee exempt, zoning compliance required); Sheds under 120 sq ft. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Stark County Department of Building & Zoning before proceeding.
- How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stark County, IL?
- Inspections can be scheduled via: (309) 286-7172.
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