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§ IL Stark County
County building permits

Unincorporated Stark County

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

Code adoption
2021 IBC/IRC
Avg processing
10-14 days
Min. permit fee
$150.00
Last verified
April 2026
On this page 6
§ 01

Permit authority

Stark County Department of Building & Zoning

Street address
130 W. Main St., Toulon, IL 61483
Phone
(309) 286-7172
Email
zoning@starkco.illinois.gov
Coverage
Elmira is an unincorporated township; all building and zoning is managed directly by the county.
Online portal
Stark County iWorq Portal
iWorq
Website
Department website
§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Stark County

All new structures, additions, and changes of use.

Agricultural buildings (fee exempt, zoning compliance required)
Sheds under 120 sq ft
  • Exempt Agricultural buildings (fee exempt, zoning compliance required)
  • Exempt 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.

Required documents
  • Septic/Well permit
  • Site plan
  • Construction plans
Building code
2021 IBC/IRC
Permit validity
1 year
Owner-builder
Owners may build their own homes.
Contractor requirements
Standard IL state licenses for plumbing/roofing.

Source: Stark County Department of Building & Zoning ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 10-14 days

  1. 01
    Contact Stark County Zoning for unincorporated Elmira requirements.
  2. 02
    Submit application and site plan.
  3. 03
    Obtain Health Department approval for septic/well (mandatory in unincorporated areas).
  4. 04
    Review process by the County Zoning Administrator.
  5. 05
    Permit issuance.

Typical processing time: 10-14 days

Source: Stark County Department of Building & Zoning ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Stark County building permit fees

Fee type
Amount
01
Minimum permit fee
$150.00
02
Permit fee formula
$0.10/sq ft
03
Reinspection fee
50% penalty for early start

Paid to Stark County

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule
  • (309) 286-7172 (phone)
Inspection hours
M-F 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

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

Source: Stark County Department of Building & Zoning ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Stark County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, IL? ▸
All new structures, additions, and changes of use.
02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Stark County, IL? ▸
Building permit fees in unincorporated Stark County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $150.00. Fees are calculated as: $0.10/sq ft.
03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, IL? ▸
To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, IL, follow these steps: 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.
04 How long does it take to get a building permit in unincorporated Stark County, IL? ▸
Building permit processing times in unincorporated Stark County, IL typically run 10-14 days. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.
05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Stark County, IL? ▸
Not all construction work requires a permit 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. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.
06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stark County, IL? ▸
Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Stark County, IL via: (309) 286-7172.
last verified April 2026 source Stark County Department of Building & Zoning ↗ entry id permits/illinois/stark/elmira
Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Stark County Department of Building & Zoning before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

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