Manhattan, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building Department

Street address

260 Market Place, Manhattan, IL 60442

Phone

(815) 418-2100

building@villageofmanhattan.org

Coverage

Serves the Village of Manhattan.

Online portal

BS&A Online

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Manhattan

Most improvements, additions, decks, fences, pools, new construction.

Scope of work

Permit?

Interior cosmetics.

Exempt

Non-structural minor repairs.

Exempt

Exempt Interior cosmetics.
Exempt Non-structural minor repairs.

Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Department before proceeding.

Required documents

Plat of Survey
Sealed drawings (residential)
Energy compliance

Building code: IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023.
Permit validity: 1 year.
Owner-builder: Allowed for primary residence.
Contractor requirements: Must be registered ($100 annually).

Source: Building Department ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 5-9 business days.

01

Online via BS&A for minor (decks, fences, sheds).
02

Major construction requires paper application submittal.
03

Submit 2 sets of plans + PDF.
04

Review time: 5-9 business days.
05

Fees paid upon application (for minor) or approval.

Typical processing time: 5-9 business days.

Source: Building Department ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Manhattan building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$50.00

Plan check fee

Included in permit fee for residential.

Permit fee formula

Residential: $0.272 per sq ft.

Trade permit fee

Included in permit fees

Online via BS&A for portal applications.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

(815) 418-2060 (Inspection Line) (phone)
BS&A Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline: Request by 3:00 PM previous day.
Inspection hours: Monday - Friday
Time windows: Standard business hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Roughs, Finals.

Remote video inspections may be used for certain inspection types at the village's discretion.

Source: Building Department ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Manhattan permits

01 Do I need a building permit in Manhattan, IL? ▸

Most improvements, additions, decks, fences, pools, new construction.

02 How much does a building permit cost in Manhattan, IL? ▸

Building permit fees in Manhattan, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $50.00. Fees are calculated as: Residential: $0.272 per sq ft.. Plan check fee: Included in permit fee for residential..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in Manhattan, IL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Manhattan, IL, follow these steps: 1. Online via BS&A for minor (decks, fences, sheds). 2. Major construction requires paper application submittal. 3. Submit 2 sets of plans + PDF. 4. Review time: 5-9 business days. 5. Fees paid upon application (for minor) or approval.

04 How long does it take to get a building permit in Manhattan, IL? ▸

Building permit processing times in Manhattan, IL typically run 5-9 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in Manhattan, IL? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Manhattan, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Interior cosmetics.; Non-structural minor repairs.. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Building Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in Manhattan, IL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Manhattan, IL via: (815) 418-2060 (Inspection Line), BS&A Portal. Request by 3:00 PM previous day..

last verified April 2026 source Building Department ↗ entry id permits/illinois/will/manhattan

Report a correction

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

Village of Manhattan

Other jurisdictions in Will County.