County Building Permits

Macon County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

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

Illinois Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Covers ONLY unincorporated areas of Macon County. Does NOT issue permits for properties within any incorporated city or village (Decatur, Forsyth, Mt. Zion, Warrensburg, Niantic, Argenta, Blue Mound, Harristown, Macon, Oreana). The community of Oakley is unincorporated and served by this department.

Department: Macon County Planning and Zoning Department
Address: 141 S. Main Street, Room 501, Decatur, IL 62523
Phone: (217) 424-1466
Email: amckinney@maconcounty.illinois.gov
Website: https://maconcounty.illinois.gov/departments/planning-zoning/

Online Permit Portal

Open Macon County Planning and Zoning

Platform: County government website • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Additional resources:

Application Process

Contact Macon County Planning and Zoning at (217) 424-1466 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, excluding legal holidays) to determine permit requirements.
Download the building permit application packet from the county website, or pick up in person at Room 501, 141 S. Main Street, Decatur.
Complete the full application packet, including site plan, plot plan, and construction details.
Submit completed application in person to the Planning and Zoning office.
Application is reviewed by county staff.
Pay applicable permit fees.
Permit is issued.
Begin construction with permit posted on site.
Schedule required inspections with county staff.
Pass all required inspections.

Typical processing time: Not publicly stated; contact (217) 424-1466.

Source: Macon County Planning and Zoning Department

General Requirements

All new construction and remodel projects in unincorporated Macon County require a permit before work begins. This applies to new homes, additions, outbuildings, garages, decks, and other structures.

Required Documents

Full building permit application packet (available from county)
Site plan
Construction drawings as applicable
Zoning compliance documentation

Permit validity: Contact (217) 424-1466 for permit expiration details.
Building code: Macon County Code Chapter 150 (Codes Adopted) and Chapter 152 (Construction Standards) govern building activity. County explicitly enforces the International Building Code for all new construction and remodel projects. Under PA 103-0510, the county must enforce IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023, and related minimum standards effective January 1, 2025. Contact department for currently enforced edition.
Owner-builder: Contact department for owner-builder rules.
Contractor requirements: State-licensed electricians and plumbers required per Illinois IDFPR. No confirmed county-level general contractor registration; verify with department.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Contact (217) 424-1466 for current fee schedule
Plan check fee: Contact department
Permit fee formula: Not confirmed from research; fee provisions in county code. Contact department.
Trade permit fee: Contact department
Reinspection fee: Permit fee doubled if work begins before permit is issued
Penalty (no permit): Permit fee doubled if work begins before permit is issued (stop work order issued)
Payment note: In-person payment at county office presumed; contact department for payment methods.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective Section 156.10 Fee Schedule and Permitting Processes).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Contact the Macon County Planning and Zoning Department to confirm whether your project requires a permit before starting work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(217) 424-1466 (phone)
Fax to (217) 424-1459 (mail)

Inspection hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM, excluding legal holidays

Typical inspection sequence: Determined by project type per adopted IBC/IRC; contact department for required inspection stages.

Additional Resources

Building code: Macon County Code Chapter 150 (Codes Adopted) and Chapter 152 (Construction Standards) govern building activity. County explicitly enforces the International Building Code for all new construction and remodel projects. Under PA 103-0510, the county must enforce IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IEBC 2021, NEC 2023, and related minimum standards effective January 1, 2025. Contact department for currently enforced edition.
Verify contractor license: Illinois Secretary of State
Zoning information: View zoning info
Macon County Planning and Zoning
Macon County Code - Chapter 150 (Codes Adopted)
Macon County Code - Chapter 152 (Construction Standards)
Code of Ordinances (AmLegal)
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 Macon County Planning and Zoning Department 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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