County Building Permits

Kankakee County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

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

Illinois Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

All unincorporated areas of Kankakee County -- all land in the county not within corporate limits of any municipality. This includes rural residential, agricultural, and commercial properties outside incorporated city or village limits. Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM.

Department: Kankakee County Planning Department, Building Division
Address: 189 E. Court Street, Room 201, Kankakee, IL 60901
Phone: (815) 937-2940
Email: planning@k3county.net
Website: https://www.k3county.net/204/Building-Division

Online Permit Portal

Open SmartGov Community Portal

Platform: SmartGov (Granicus) • Account required: Yes • Submission: Online only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Determine the permit type needed (Deck; Demolition; Electrical; Fence; House/Addition/Garage/Pole Building; Maintenance; Non-Residential; Pool; Utility Shed).
Option A (Online): Create account at co-kankakee-il.smartgovcommunity.com. Apply for permit, submit drawings and documents, and pay fees through portal.
Option B (Paper): Download PDF application from county forms page or Building Permits page. Submit in person at 189 E. Court Street, Room 201.
Ensure all contractors on project are registered with Kankakee County Contractors Registration Program (required before permit issued). Registration: (815) 937-2940 ext. 2, then 2.
Await permit approval. Processing time not publicly stated; contact department.
Upon issuance, post permit on site.
Schedule inspections through SmartGov portal using user access code, or call Planning Department.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact (815) 937-2940

Source: Kankakee County Planning Department, Building Division

General Requirements

New construction; additions; alterations; demolition; electrical, plumbing, mechanical work; roofing; fencing; pools; sheds; pole buildings in unincorporated areas. Agricultural structures may be exempt under Illinois Farmstead Exemption.

Required Documents

Completed permit application
Plat of survey
Project plans/drawings
Contractor registration documentation (all contractors must be registered with county program)
For non-residential: see Non-Residential Applicant guide

Permit validity: Not publicly stated; contact department
Building code: Building regulations codified in Kankakee County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 105 available via Municode. Per state requirement, must comply with minimum IBC 2021/IRC 2021 as of January 1, 2025. Contact Planning Department for current adopted code editions.
Owner-builder: Not specified in public materials; contact (815) 937-2940
Contractor requirements: All contractors performing work requiring building permit in unincorporated Kankakee County must register with county Contractors Registration Program before permit issued. Registration fee: $150/year. Bond: $10,000. Insurance minimums: GL $1,000,000; Property Damage $50,000; Workers Comp $100,000 (or No Employee Affidavit for sole proprietors). Electricians and plumbers must hold IDFPR state licenses.

Fees

Permit fee formula: Not publicly confirmed; contact department
Payment note: Online via SmartGov portal or in-person at 189 E. Court Street. Contractor registration: payable to Kankakee County Treasurer, $150.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule.

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Agricultural/farm structures may qualify for Farmstead Exemption under Illinois law
Minor repair and maintenance work

Important: Contact Planning Department to confirm eligibility for Farmstead Exemption.

Inspections

How to Schedule

SmartGov portal at co-kankakee-il.smartgovcommunity.com (online)
(815) 937-2940 (phone)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Project-dependent. SmartGov portal allows users to view pending inspections and inspection results.

Additional Resources

Building code: Building regulations codified in Kankakee County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 105 available via Municode. Per state requirement, must comply with minimum IBC 2021/IRC 2021 as of January 1, 2025. Contact Planning Department for current adopted code editions.
Zoning information: View zoning info
Code of Ordinances (Municode)
County Clerk Ordinances Page
Zoning Division
Floodplain Management
EcoCAT Stormwater Program
JULIE Utility Notification
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 Kankakee County Planning Department, Building Division before applying.

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Important: This page is an educational resource provided by jaspector.com. It is not legal advice, and it does not substitute for official guidance from the permit authority listed above. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with the issuing department before beginning any construction project. Use of this page does not create an attorney-client relationship. Jaspector assumes no liability for any outcomes arising from reliance on this information.

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