County Building Permits
Macoupin County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Macoupin County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
Covers all areas outside the incorporated limits of cities and villages. Macoupin County has no county-wide zoning ordinance.
- Department
- Macoupin County Supervisor of Assessments / GIS Department
- Address
- 215 S. East St., Carlinville, IL 62626
- Phone
- (217) 854-3181 Ext. 5050
Online Permit Portal
Platform: Manual PDF • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Additional resources:
Application Process
- Determine if the project is in an unincorporated area and requires a septic system.
- Assign a 911 address through the 911 Coordinator (217-854-3181) if not already assigned.
- Obtain a Private Sewage Construction Permit from the Macoupin County Public Health Department (217-854-3223).
- Complete the Building Program Permit & PTAX-760 form.
- Submit form and $100 fee to the GIS Manager/Supervisor of Assessments.
Typical processing time: 5-10 business days
Source: Macoupin County Supervisor of Assessments / GIS Department
General Requirements
Any new construction that requires a septic system or any substantial improvement to existing structures in unincorporated areas.
Required Documents
- Completed PTAX-760 form
- Site plan
- 911 address
- Septic permit
- Permit validity
- Generally valid for 1 year or until construction completion.
- Building code
- Illinois Public Act 103-0510 (Statewide Mandatory Codes). Effective January 1, 2025: 2021 IBC (Commercial), 2021 IRC (Residential), 2021 IEBC (Existing Buildings), 2023 NEC (Electrical).
- Owner-builder
- Owner-builders are allowed and must comply with 2025 state mandates.
- Contractor requirements
- No county-wide general contractor license. Roofing contractors must be state-licensed. Plumbers must be state-licensed through IDFPR.
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- $100.00
- Plan check fee
- None (County does not perform plan reviews for unincorporated residential)
- Permit fee formula
- Flat fee of $100.00 for the Building Program Permit
- Payment note
- Check or money order payable to Macoupin County Treasurer.
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Cosmetic work (painting, wallpapering, flooring)
- Minor repairs not affecting structural integrity
- Fences (in unincorporated areas only; verify setbacks)
- Small sheds not requiring septic
Inspections
How to Schedule
Typical inspection sequence: The County does NOT perform building inspections for unincorporated residential projects. Commercial projects MUST contract with a qualified third-party inspector (ICC certified or IL licensed architect/engineer). Residential owners are responsible for ensuring code compliance via contract with the builder.
Additional Resources
- Building code: Illinois Public Act 103-0510 (Statewide Mandatory Codes). Effective January 1, 2025: 2021 IBC (Commercial), 2021 IRC (Residential), 2021 IEBC (Existing Buildings), 2023 NEC (Electrical).
- Verify contractor license: Illinois Department of Revenue (IDFPR Licensing)
- Macoupin County Public Health (Septic)
- 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 Macoupin County Supervisor of Assessments / GIS Department before applying.
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