McLean County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)

Permit Authority

Regulates construction in ALL unincorporated areas of McLean County — that is, all properties located outside the limits of any city, village, or town in the county. This includes rural residential, agricultural, and commercial properties not within any incorporated municipality. The department enforces zoning, flood hazard, subdivision, and building permit regulations for these areas.

Department

McLean County Department of Building and Zoning

Address

115 E. Washington St., Room M102, Bloomington, IL 61701. Mailing: P.O. Box 2400, Bloomington, IL 61701

Phone

(309) 888-5160

Email

Contact by phone

Website

https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/78/Building-Zoning

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm the property is in an unincorporated area (not within any municipality). If within a municipality, contact that municipality's building department instead.
2. Contact the Department of Building and Zoning at (309) 888-5160 or visit Room M102 to obtain permit application materials and determine project-specific requirements.
3. Download the Building Permit Requirements PDF from https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/687/Building-Permits (PDF link on that page).
4. For commercial projects, review the Commercial Building Permit Requirements PDF and the Commercial Building Inspection Form PDF at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/606/Commercial-Building-Permit-Requirements.
5. Complete the application with required plans, specifications, and supporting information.
6. Submit application and pay permit fee at Room M102.
7. Stake-out inspection is scheduled (verifies improvement location on site).
8. Foundation inspection is scheduled.
9. Final inspection is completed before occupancy permit is issued.

Typical processing time: Not stated in public sources; contact (309) 888-5160.

Source: McLean County Department of Building and Zoning

General Requirements

Permits are required for most construction projects prior to start of construction. Residential triggers include: home additions (decks, porches, patios), detached structures (storage buildings, play equipment, pools), new homes, ponds, and most fences. Construction permits are required for any improvement to or addition to a building, structure, or land improvement; relocation of a building; or any structural alteration that changes the use of a building. Application for commercial building permits must be accompanied by plans, specifications, and supplementary information.

Required Documents

• Completed permit application
• Site plans and specifications
• For commercial projects, full construction documents complying with the adopted building codes
• Commercial Building Inspection Form

Permit validity

Not explicitly stated on reviewed pages; contact (309) 888-5160.

Building code

Specific edition not identified in reviewed public sources. Under Illinois PA 103-0510, McLean County must enforce minimum 2021 IBC/IRC/IEBC standards as of January 1, 2025. The county has historically enforced its own Zoning Ordinance (adopted August 15, 2000, with subsequent amendments). Verify currently adopted building codes with the department at (309) 888-5160 or via the Forms, Fees and Ordinances section.

Owner-builder

Not specified in reviewed sources; contact department.

Contractor requirements

State-licensed electricians (IDFPR) and plumbers (IDFPR) required. Illinois has no statewide general contractor license; any additional local registration requirements should be confirmed with the department at (309) 888-5160.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$90.00 (detached accessory buildings under 250 sq ft); $100.00 (commercial minimum; occupancy permits; temporary permits).

Plan check fee

Not separately identified in reviewed data; may be included in permit fee or charged as part of commercial review. Contact department.

Permit fee formula

Single family dwellings (any size): $375.00 flat fee. Additions to single family dwellings: Less than 650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Detached accessory buildings: Less than 250 sq ft: $90.00; 250-650 sq ft: $115.00; 650-1,200 sq ft: $130.00; 1,200-2,500 sq ft: $165.00; Over 2,500 sq ft: $300.00. Accessory structures to single-family dwellings on same lot (decks, pools, solar arrays): $100.00. Occupancy permits (change in use only): $100.00. Temporary occupancy permits: $100.00. Temporary mobile home permits: $100.00. Business/advertising signs: Less than 50 sq ft: $95.00; 50-200 sq ft: $115.00; Over 200 sq ft: $135.00. Commercial building permits: Minimum fee: $100.00; Standard rate: $3.00 per $1,000 of value up to $5,000,000; Over $5,000,000: $15,000 plus $0.50 per $1,000 of value exceeding $5,000,000.

Trade permit fee

Not specified; contact department.

Reinspection fee

Not specified in reviewed sources; contact department.

Payment note

In person at Room M102. Contact department to confirm payment methods accepted. Fees are subject to change by County Board action; verify current fees at (309) 888-5160.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026 (verify for current updates)).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• Agricultural uses: Certain agricultural uses are exempt from local zoning regulations (except setback from streets). If a citizen believes their use may be exempt, they should verify with the Building and Zoning Department at (309) 888-5160 and then confirm with their legal counsel.
• Standard code-based exemptions (minor repairs, painting, replacement in kind, etc.) may apply; confirm with department.

Important: The agricultural exemption is primarily a zoning exemption; building code compliance obligations under PA 103-0510 may still apply to certain agricultural structures. Confirm project-specific applicability with the department.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• (309) 888-5160 (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Not specified; contact department.

Inspection hours

Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Time windows

Not specified; contact department.

Typical inspection sequence: 1. Stake-out inspection — verifies location of improvement on the lot before construction begins. 2. Foundation inspection — verifies foundation before covering. 3. Final inspection — conducted upon completion; occupancy permit is issued after passing final inspection.

Not specified on public pages.

Additional Resources

• Building code: Specific edition not identified in reviewed public sources. Under Illinois PA 103-0510, McLean County must enforce minimum 2021 IBC/IRC/IEBC standards as of January 1, 2025. The county has historically enforced its own Zoning Ordinance (adopted August 15, 2000, with subsequent amendments). Verify currently adopted building codes with the department at (309) 888-5160 or via the Forms, Fees and Ordinances section.
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Commercial Permit Requirements
• Current Fees
• Construction Permits
• Agricultural Exemption
• Zoning Ordinance (ecode360)
• Zoning Board of Appeals
• License lookup guide: Illinois Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Illinois Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Illinois hub: Illinois Contractor License & Permit Hub