County Building Permits
Ford County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Ford County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Unincorporated areas of Ford County, Illinois.
- Department
- Ford County Zoning Office
- Address
- Ford County Courthouse, 200 W. State St., Paxton, IL 60957
- Phone
- 217-249-4727
- Website
- https://fordcounty.illinois.gov/
Online Permit Portal
Platform: County Government • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Obtain Building/Zoning Permit Application from Ford County Zoning Office.
- Prepare plot plan drawn to scale showing lot dimensions, structure locations, and setback distances.
- Submit application with construction drawings and project description to the Zoning Officer.
- County reviews application for zoning compliance and code adherence.
- Pay applicable permit fees upon approval.
- Permit is issued; construction may begin.
Typical processing time: 7 to 14 business days
Source: Ford County Zoning Office
General Requirements
Building permits are required for new construction, additions, and structural modifications to existing buildings.
Required Documents
- Completed permit application
- Plot plan drawn to scale
- Construction drawings
- Project description and estimated cost
- Permit validity
- 12 months from issuance; contact County for extension options.
- Building code
- 2021 IBC/IRC (State Mandate)
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders may construct their primary residence. State-licensed plumbers and roofers are required for those trades.
- Contractor requirements
- State-licensed plumbers and roofers required. General contractors should carry liability insurance.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $20.00
- Plan check fee
- Included in permit fee
- Permit fee formula
- $20.00 for first 200 sq. ft.; $0.15 per sq. ft. thereafter
- Trade permit fee
- Included in permit fee
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double permit fee for construction without permit
- Payment note
- Payable to Ford County Treasurer at County Courthouse.
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
Contact the Ford County Zoning Office to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 217-249-4727 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Schedule by appointment
- Inspection hours
- By appointment
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Foundation, Final.
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2021 IBC/IRC (State Mandate)
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- 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 Ford County Zoning Office before applying.
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