County Building Permits
Rock Island County Building Permit Guide (Unincorporated Area)
How to apply for a building permit in unincorporated Rock Island County, Illinois. Permit authority, application steps, fees, and inspection requirements.
Permit Authority
All areas in Rock Island County outside of incorporated municipalities.
- Department
- Rock Island County Zoning and Building Safety Department
- Address
- 1504 Third Avenue, Room 305, Rock Island, IL 61201
- Phone
- 309-558-3771
- gthorpe@ricountyil.gov
Online Permit Portal
Platform: N/A (PDF Download) • Account required: No • Submission: In-person only
Application Process
- Download application from County website.
- Submit application, site plan, and construction drawings.
- Department reviews for zoning, code, and floodplain compliance.
- Pay fees at County office.
- Permit issued.
Typical processing time: 2 weeks
Source: Rock Island County Zoning and Building Safety Department
General Requirements
New construction, additions, remodels, decks, garages, fireplaces, systems, roofing, siding, and windows.
Required Documents
- Application
- Site plan
- Construction plans
- Septic/well approval (if applicable)
- Permit validity
- Varies; confirm with County
- Building code
- 2012 IBC, 2012 IRC, 2011 NEC, Illinois Plumbing Code
- Owner-builder
- Permitted for primary residence.
- Contractor requirements
- Must register annually with County ($10,000 bond).
Fees
- Minimum permit fee
- Valuation-based scale
- Plan check fee
- Included
- Permit fee formula
- Valuation-based; Plumbing $12 per opening
- Trade permit fee
- Included in valuation-based scale
- Reinspection fee
- Varies
- Penalty (no permit)
- Double fee for work starting without permit
- Payment note
- Cash or check only
Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective 2026-03).
Work That Does NOT Require a Permit
- Accessory structures 120 sq ft or less (70 sq ft in floodplain)
- Fences 6 feet or less (zoning approval still required)
- Retaining walls 4 feet or less
- Cosmetic work: painting, papering, tiling, carpeting
- Prefabricated pools less than 18 inches deep
- Window awnings projecting less than 54 inches
- Playground equipment
Important: Floodplain overlay along the Mississippi River is significant; FEMA Special Flood Hazard Areas apply to many riverfront parcels. Always confirm requirements before proceeding.
Inspections
How to Schedule
- 309-558-3771 (phone)
- Scheduling deadline
- Contact for details
- Inspection hours
- Monday - Friday; Inspectors in field 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
- Time windows
- 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence: Footing/Foundation, Rough-in (Electric, Plumbing, HVAC), Insulation, Final
Additional Resources
- Building code: 2012 IBC, 2012 IRC, 2011 NEC, Illinois Plumbing Code
- Zoning information: View zoning info
- County Downloads & Forms
- 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 Rock Island County Zoning and Building Safety Department before applying.
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