Will County, IL — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Land Use Department, Building Division

Street address

58 E. Clinton St., Suite 100, Joliet, IL 60432

Phone

(815) 727-8634

building@willcountylanduse.com

Coverage

Serves all unincorporated areas of Will County.

Online portal

SmartGov

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Will County

Any structure over 120 sq ft, structural changes, plumbing, electric, HVAC, decks, fences, pools.

Scope of work

Permit?

Portable sheds under 120 sq ft (zoning check still required).

Exempt

Painting, floor covering.

Exempt

Non-structural maintenance.

Exempt

Exempt Portable sheds under 120 sq ft (zoning check still required).
Exempt Painting, floor covering.
Exempt Non-structural maintenance.

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

Required documents

Plat of Survey
Construction plans
Health Dept septic/well sign-off (if applicable)

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 with County ($10,000 bond).

Source: Land Use Department, Building Division ↗

§ 03

Application process

Typical processing: 15 business days.

01

Create SmartGov account.
02

Apply for permit and upload digital documents.
03

Pay plan review fee ($50).
04

Review process (15 business days initial).
05

Notification of approval and final fees via portal.
06

Pay online and print permit.

Typical processing time: 15 business days.

Source: Land Use Department, Building Division ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Will County building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

Varies; ~$2,700 for new res.

Plan check fee

$50.00 minimum.

Permit fee formula

Sq footage/valuation based.

Trade permit fee

Included in permit fees

Online via SmartGov.

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

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

SmartGov Portal (online)

Scheduling deadline: Must have inspection card on-site.
Inspection hours: Monday - Friday
Time windows: Standard business hours

Typical sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Roughs, Insulation, Final.

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

Source: Land Use Department, Building Division ↗

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about unincorporated Will County permits

01 Do I need a building permit in unincorporated Will County, IL? ▸

Any structure over 120 sq ft, structural changes, plumbing, electric, HVAC, decks, fences, pools.

02 How much does a building permit cost in unincorporated Will County, IL? ▸

Building permit fees in unincorporated Will County, IL are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is Varies; ~$2,700 for new res.. Fees are calculated as: Sq footage/valuation based.. Plan check fee: $50.00 minimum..

03 How do I apply for a building permit in unincorporated Will County, IL? ▸

To apply for a building permit in unincorporated Will County, IL, follow these steps: 1. Create SmartGov account. 2. Apply for permit and upload digital documents. 3. Pay plan review fee ($50). 4. Review process (15 business days initial). 5. Notification of approval and final fees via portal. 6. Pay online and print permit.

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

Building permit processing times in unincorporated Will County, IL typically run 15 business days.. Timelines can vary based on project complexity and current department workload.

05 What work is exempt from building permits in unincorporated Will County, IL? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in unincorporated Will County, IL. The following work is generally exempt: Portable sheds under 120 sq ft (zoning check still required).; Painting, floor covering.; Non-structural maintenance.. Note: Exempt from building permit does not mean exempt from zoning and planning requirements. Confirm edge cases with the Land Use Department before proceeding. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

06 How do I schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Will County, IL? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in unincorporated Will County, IL via: SmartGov Portal. Must have inspection card on-site..

last verified April 2026 source Land Use Department, Building Division ↗ entry id permits/illinois/will/unincorporated

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

Unincorporated Will County