Building permits in Aurora — Illinois's second-largest city, in the Fox Valley region spanning Kane and DuPage counties — are issued by Building & Permits Division. Aurora enforces the 2015 I-Codes (updating to 2024 I-Codes in 2026).
This guide covers what requires a permit, the City of Aurora Online Portal, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your Aurora project stays on track.
Aurora — Illinois’s second-largest city straddling Kane and DuPage counties in the Fox Valley — issues building permits through its Building & Permits Division. The city has been operating under the 2015 I-Codes and is expected to adopt the 2024 I-Codes in 2026 per the statewide mandate. Aurora requires local contractor registration with at least $1 million general liability insurance and a $5,000 surety bond.
Illinois enacted its first-ever statewide building code on January 1, 2025 via Public Act 103-0510. All municipalities and counties must now enforce codes at least as stringent as the ICC model codes (IBC, IRC, IEBC). The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) oversees baseline compliance. However, each jurisdiction still administers its own permitting — processes, fees, and review timelines vary widely by city and county.
What requires a building permit in Aurora?
Under locally adopted codes, a permit is required for most construction activities:
Permit required
- New residential and commercial construction, additions
- Structural and load-bearing alterations
- Reroofing, windows, siding, and exterior changes
- Electrical service changes and most wiring work
- HVAC installations and changeouts
- Plumbing alterations, repipes, and water heaters
- Decks, pools, fences, patio covers, accessory structures
- Change of occupancy or use
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation
- Countertop replacement and similar finish work
- Retaining walls ≤ 4 ft (not supporting surcharge)
- One-story detached sheds ≤ 200 sq ft (on grade, no utilities)
Exemptions are narrow and scope-specific. When unsure, confirm with the building department before starting — see the penalty note below.
Get the permit issued before starting work. Building without a permit in Aurora can result in fines, stop-work orders, and double permit fees. Unpermitted work can also create issues at sale.
Who handles permitting in Aurora?
The Building & Permits Division handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Permits are managed through the City of Aurora Online Portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Building & Permits Division — 44 E Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60505 |
| Phone | (630) 256-3090 |
| Online portal | City of Aurora Online Portal |
| Code cycle | 2015 I-Codes (updating to 2024 I-Codes in 2026) |
| Review timeline | 7–14 business days residential; 15–30 business days commercial |
| Contractor license | Local registration + state trade licenses |
Apply at the City of Aurora Online Portal. Register an account, start a new application, upload required documents (site plan, construction drawings, energy code compliance), and pay fees. Print and post the permit card on-site before work begins.
Aurora building permit cost
Aurora permit fees are typically valuation-based. Plan review fees are calculated as a percentage of the building permit fee.
| Fee component | How it works |
|---|---|
| Residential building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Commercial building permit | Valuation-based formula |
| Plan review fee | 65–80% of building permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fees per trade |
| Technology / admin fee | Added to permit total |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders + fines |
Want a precise number for a specific Aurora project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
Aurora trade permits
Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work each needs its own permit and appropriately licensed tradespeople.
Electrical permits
Required for service installations, panel upgrades, solar PV, EV chargers, and most wiring alterations — performed by an electrician licensed at the local level (Illinois does not issue a statewide electrician license).
Plumbing permits
Required for new plumbing, repipes, water heater changeouts, fixtures, backflow, and sewer connections — performed by a contractor licensed through the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH).
Mechanical (HVAC) permits
Required for HVAC installations, changeouts, ductwork changes, and venting modifications — performed by a qualified mechanical contractor per local requirements.
Miscellaneous & specialty
Fencing, pools, decks, sheds, and patio covers may require special permits depending on size and utility hookups. Demolition, sign, and right-of-way permits follow separate tracks.
Verify contractor licensing. Illinois does not issue a statewide general contractor license — general contractor licensing is handled at the local city or county level. However, two trades are state-regulated: plumbers are licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), and roofing contractors are licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) under the Roofing Industry Licensing Act. Electricians and HVAC technicians are regulated locally. Workers’ compensation insurance is mandatory for any Illinois employer — construction is classified as extra-hazardous. Verify licensing at idfpr.com/LicenseLookUp.
How to get a building permit in Aurora
Confirm permit requirement & zoning
Contact the Building & Permits Division at (630) 256-3090. Confirm zoning compliance and whether your project requires a permit.
Submit application online or in-person
Complete the application through the Aurora permit portal or at 44 E Downer Place. Select the correct permit type.
Upload documents & pay plan review fee
Upload site plan, construction drawings, energy compliance forms, contractor registration, and proof of insurance. Pay plan review fee at submittal.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against adopted building codes. 7–14 business days residential; 15–30 commercial. Resubmit revised plans if needed.
Pay remaining fees & receive permit
Pay the remaining permit fee upon approval. Print permit and post on-site before construction begins.
Schedule inspections
Schedule inspections via the Building & Permits Division. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in Aurora
Schedule inspections through the City of Aurora Online Portal or by calling (630) 256-3090. Standard checkpoints include foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, and final. Post the permit card on-site and maintain approved plans. A final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy.
Address correction notices before requesting a re-inspection; a final inspection and Certificate of Occupancy are required before legal occupancy or use.
Official Aurora permitting resources
- 🏛️ City of Aurora Building & Permits
- 💻 Aurora Permit Applications
- 📋 Aurora Fee Schedule
- 🪪 IL License Lookup (IDFPR)
Simplify Aurora permitting with Alliance Permitting
Aurora's City of Aurora Online Portal, valuation-based fees, and Illinois's local licensing requirements reward applicants who prepare complete packages from the start. Alliance Permitting is a permit expediter for Aurora — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Building & Permits Division process, so your Aurora submissions move faster.
Trusted by leading builders and brands — including Dream Finders Homes, Tesla, Verizon, Hyatt, and Sunnova.
Contractors and builders choose Alliance for Aurora because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Building & Permits Division, the City of Aurora Online Portal, and the 2015 I-Codes (updating to 2024 I-Codes in 2026).
- Complete oversight — track every permit and inspection across all your jobs in one place.
- Error-free submissions — AI pre-checks plus expert review catch issues before they become correction cycles.
Alliance Permitting is a permit documentation and submission company: we prepare your paperwork, file it correctly, and coordinate with the building department through issuance — including preparing private-provider documentation where that option is available. We are not a contractor and do not perform licensed plan review or inspections; that work stays with your team and the jurisdiction.
Need a Aurora building permit?
Get your Aurora project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through the City of Aurora Online Portal — so you build, not wait.
More Illinois permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general informational purposes and reflects publicly available information believed accurate as of June 2026. Permit requirements, fees, and processes change; always confirm current details with the Building & Permits Division before filing. This is not legal advice.