Building permits in McHenry County — A collar county northwest of Chicago, known for its suburban-rural character — are issued by Planning & Development Department — Building Division. McHenry County enforces the McHenry County Building Codes (ICC-based).
This guide covers what requires a permit, the McHenry County Permit Applications, fees, trade permits, and inspections — so your McHenry County project stays on track.
McHenry County — a collar county northwest of chicago, known for its suburban-rural character — issues building permits for properties in unincorporated areas through its Planning & Development Department — Building Division. McHenry County strives to complete permit reviews within 10 business days. Applications must be complete — incomplete applications will be rejected.
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 McHenry County?
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, plumbing, and HVAC installations
- Decks, pools, fences, patio covers, garages, sheds
- Foundation repairs, demolition, change of use
Typically exempt
- Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, cabinet installation
- Countertop replacement and similar finish work
- Freestanding decks ≤ 30 in. above grade and ≤ 200 sq ft
- One-story detached sheds ≤ 200 sq ft (no utilities, on grade)
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 unincorporated McHenry County can result in fines, stop-work orders, and double permit fees.
Who handles permitting in McHenry County?
The Planning & Development Department — Building Division handles plan review, permit issuance, and construction inspections. Permits are managed through the McHenry County Permit Applications.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Office | Planning & Development Department — Building Division — 2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock, IL 60098 |
| Phone | (815) 334-4560 |
| Online portal | McHenry County Permit Applications |
| Code cycle | McHenry County Building Codes (ICC-based) |
| Review timeline | 7–14 business days residential; 15–30 business days commercial |
| Contractor license | Local registration + state trade licenses |
Apply at the McHenry County Permit Applications. 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.
McHenry County building permit cost
McHenry County 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% of building permit fee |
| Trade permits (E / P / M) | Separate fees per trade |
| Work-without-permit | Double fees + stop-work orders + fines |
Want a precise number for a specific McHenry County project? Send us the scope and valuation and we'll return a fee estimate alongside a filing timeline.
McHenry County 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 McHenry County
Verify property is in unincorporated McHenry County
Confirm your property is in unincorporated McHenry County. Properties inside municipalities should contact the local city building department instead. Call (815) 334-4560 with questions.
Submit application
Complete the application online or at 2200 N Seminary Ave, Woodstock, IL 60098. Select the correct permit type for your project.
Upload documents & pay fees
Upload site plan, construction drawings, energy compliance forms, contractor registration, and proof of insurance. Pay fees at submittal.
Plan review & corrections
Staff reviews against McHenry County Building Codes. 7–14 business days residential; 15–30 commercial. Address any correction notices.
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 through Planning & Development — Building Division. Typical checkpoints: foundation, framing, rough-in MEP, insulation, final. Certificate of Occupancy required before occupancy.
Inspections in McHenry County
Schedule inspections through the McHenry County Permit Applications or by calling (815) 334-4560. 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 McHenry County permitting resources
- 🏛️ McHenry County Building Division
- 💻 McHenry County Permit Applications
- 📋 McHenry County Fee Schedule
- 🪪 IL License Lookup (IDFPR)
Simplify McHenry County permitting with Alliance Permitting
McHenry County's McHenry County Permit Applications, 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 McHenry County — our permit expediting services pair AI-driven document review with experts who know the Planning & Development Department — Building Division process, so your McHenry County submissions move faster.
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Contractors and builders choose Alliance for McHenry County because we deliver:
- Local expertise — we know Planning & Development Department — Building Division, the McHenry County Permit Applications, and the McHenry County Building Codes (ICC-based).
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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 McHenry County building permit?
Get your McHenry County project permitted right. Alliance Permitting handles your applications through the McHenry County Permit Applications — 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 Planning & Development Department — Building Division before filing. This is not legal advice.