City Building Permits

Harvard, ILLINOIS Building Permit Guide

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

Illinois McHenry County Updated March 2026

Permit Authority

Serves incorporated City of Harvard.

Department: Community Development Department, Building & Zoning
Address: 201 West Diggins St., Harvard, IL 60033
Phone: (815) 943-6468 (Option 2)
Email: permits@cityofharvard.org
Website: https://www.cityofharvard.org/community-development

Online Permit Portal

Open Building Permit Application

Platform: In-house / PDF forms • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only

Application Process

Submit application, site plan, and survey to permits@cityofharvard.org.
Department reviews for code and zoning.
Notification of permit readiness.
Payment and issuance.

Typical processing time: Not specified.

Source: Community Development Department, Building & Zoning

General Requirements

Mandatory for any construction, alteration, or repair (excluding "ordinary repairs").

Required Documents

Application
Site plan
Survey
Scaled plans (>100 sq ft)

Permit validity: Varies.
Building code: 2021 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFC/IPMC/ISPSC, 2020 NEC, latest IL Plumbing/Accessibility.
Owner-builder: Owner-builders permitted for primary residence.
Contractor requirements: All contractors must be registered with the City.

Fees

Minimum permit fee: Double fee or $250 penalty for unpermitted work.
Plan check fee: Included or varies by scope.
Permit fee formula: Square-footage-based for new construction.
Trade permit fee: Varies
Reinspection fee: Double permit fee for starting without permit.
Payment note: Impact fees apply to new units.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

Ordinary repairs (non-structural, no system changes)
Cosmetic updates

Important: Confirm specific exemptions with Community Development.

Inspections

How to Schedule

(815) 943-6468 — 24-hour notice required (phone)

Scheduling deadline: 24-hour notice required.
Inspection hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.
Time windows: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footing, Rough, Insulation, Final. Plumbing handled by third-party.

Additional Resources

Building code: 2021 IBC/IRC/IMC/IFC/IPMC/ISPSC, 2020 NEC, latest IL Plumbing/Accessibility.
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 Community Development Department, Building & Zoning before applying.

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Navigating permits in Harvard can be complicated.

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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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