No county building department appears on the Adams County website. The county’s permit role found there is the Highway Department’s Floodplain Program: all development in the 100-yr. floodplain needs a Floodplain Development Permit. In Quincy, the Department of Inspection and Enforcement handles construction permitting, building inspections and property standards.
This guide covers the county Floodplain Program and the City of Quincy’s permit office. For building work elsewhere in the county, contact the city or village directly.
What requires a permit in Adams County?
In Adams County, all development in the 100-yr. floodplain, including filling, excavation and fences, needs a Floodplain Development Permit applied for before any work.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →Structures damaged or improved by over 50%, or with flood area increased by more than 20%, must be elevated to 1 foot above base flood elevation. The damage or improvement is counted cumulatively over the building’s life.
Illinois leaves building codes to local government, but since 1 January 2025 any local code must regulate structural design at least as strictly as baseline editions of the International Building, Existing Building and Residential Codes, and where no code was adopted the statute sets minimums for commercial buildings and new homes (Public Act 103-0510). Illinois codes and the statewide baseline
Who handles permitting in Adams County?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Adams County Highway Department (County Engineer) | Floodplain Program; 101 N 54th St, Quincy, IL 62305-3797 | 217-223-0614 |
| Quincy Department of Inspection and Enforcement | Construction permitting, building inspections and property standards; Quincy City Hall, 730 Maine Street, Quincy, IL 62301 | 217-228-4540; inspections@quincyil.gov; Mon - Fri 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →The Highway Department also maintains 247 miles of county highways and advises the 22 Road Districts.
How to get a permit in Adams County
Any development in the 100-yr. floodplain, even filling, excavation or a fence, needs a Floodplain Development Permit.
Apply to the County Engineer’s office before any work starts.
Substantially damaged or improved structures must be raised to 1 foot above base flood elevation.
Construction in Quincy goes to the Department of Inspection and Enforcement at City Hall.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →A building permit carries a validity period set by the local building office; confirm the expiry on phased or delayed work before it passes. Permit validity in Illinois
Inspections in Adams County
In Quincy, building inspections are handled by the Department of Inspection and Enforcement (217-228-4540, inspections@quincyil.gov).
Official Adams County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
Rather not deal with the Adams County building department?
Get a free quote →- Adams County Highway Department
- Adams County floodplain permit requirements
- Quincy Department of Inspection and Enforcement
Frequently asked questions
Does a fence in the floodplain need a permit in Adams County?
Yes. All development in the 100-yr. floodplain, including filling, excavation and fences, needs a Floodplain Development Permit before any work.
When must a floodplain building be elevated?
When it is damaged or improved by over 50%, or its flood area grows by more than 20%: to 1 foot above base flood elevation, counted over the building’s life.
Who issues construction permits in Quincy?
The Department of Inspection and Enforcement at Quincy City Hall, 730 Maine Street.
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Simplify Adams County permitting with Alliance Permitting
- Confirm whether the county or a city or village has the parcel, and which office to file with
- Line up the health, highway and floodplain approvals that come before the building permit
- File with the right office and keep inspections on schedule
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company in Illinois. We prepare your paperwork, file it correctly and coordinate with the permitting authority through issuance. We are not a contractor and we do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your licensed team and the jurisdiction.
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →Ready to break ground in Adams County sooner?
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More Illinois permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Adams County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.