County Building Permits
Champaign County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Champaign County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated area of Seymour, IL (Champaign County).
- Department
- Champaign County Department of Planning & Zoning
- Address
- 1776 E. Washington Street, Urbana, IL 61802
- Phone
- 217-384-3708
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Paper/PDF Forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Submit Zoning Use Permit Application (ZUPA) with site plan.
- Review for compliance with setbacks, lot coverage, and use.
- Pay fees upon notification.
- Zoning Use Permit issued.
- Construction must start within 180 days.
- Final inspection upon completion for Compliance Certificate.
Typical processing time: 1 to 2 weeks for standard; 45+ days for Special Use.
General Requirements
All construction (homes, additions, sheds, garages).
Required Documents
- ZUPA form
- Detailed site plan
- Legal description (PIN)
- Permit validity
- 1 year for completion; 180 days to start.
- Building code
- Champaign County Zoning Ordinance. (Note: PA 103-0510 mandates state code as of 1/1/2025).
- Owner-builder
- Standard owner provisions; must meet zoning.
- Contractor requirements
- State license for plumbing/roofing; no county GC license.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $65.00 (Accessory); $260.00 (Principal)
- Plan check fee
- Stormwater review deposit $500 (if applicable).
- Permit fee formula
- Residential: $12.00 per 100 sq. ft. Principal: $260 flat. Certificate of Compliance: $33.00.
- Trade permit fee
- Included in permit fee structure
- Reinspection fee
- Included in fee structure
- Penalty (no permit)
- Surcharge for work without permit
- Payment note
- Payment at Brookens Center.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Agricultural structures and uses (Agriculture Exemption)
- Small sheds <150 sq. ft.
Important: Confirm exempt work status with County before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 217-384-3708 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact for scheduling.
- Inspection hours
- Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
- Time windows
- Standard business hours.
Typical inspection sequence: Final Inspection (verify setbacks/use).
Contact department for remote inspection availability.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Champaign County Zoning Ordinance. (Note: PA 103-0510 mandates state code as of 1/1/2025).
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- CCGISC Interactive Map
- 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 Champaign County Department of Planning & Zoning before applying.
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