No county building, zoning or planning department appears on the Vermilion County website; the county’s permit roles found there are floodplain development and the Health Department’s septic and well permits. By the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates the largest municipalities are Danville city (28138), Hoopeston city (4676), Westville village (3029) and Georgetown city (3006).
This guide covers the county’s floodplain, septic and well permits and the offices of Danville, Hoopeston and Westville. No official website was found for Georgetown, so contact the city directly. The county’s pages give two different phone numbers for the Emergency Management Agency, so confirm the number with the county.
What requires a permit in Vermilion County?
Vermilion County takes part in the National Flood Insurance Program and requires a Floodplain Development permit before ANY development in the floodplain. New and renovated private sewage disposal systems and new private wells need Health Department permits, and so do closed-loop geothermal wells.
Short on time to read all of this?
Get a free quote →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 Vermilion County?
| Office | Handles | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Management Agency | Floodplain Development permit applications; 201 N. Vermilion St., Lower Level, Danville, IL 61832 | Confirm the phone with the county |
| Vermilion County Health Department | Private sewage disposal and private well permits; 200 S. College St. Suite A | 217-431-2662 |
| Vermilion County Highway Department | 2732 Batestown Rd., Oakwood, IL 61858 | 217-703-7870 |
| Danville Building Safety | Building permits; 1155 East Voorhees Street, Danville, IL, 61832 | 217-431-2321 |
| Hoopeston City Administration | 301 West Main Street, Hoopeston; window hours Monday through Friday 8am to 3pm | 217-283-5833 |
| Westville Village office | 201 N. State Street, Westville, IL 61883; Monday to Friday 7am to 4pm | Forms & Permits page |
Not sure this scope needs a permit?
Get a free quote →County health permits in Vermilion County
For a private sewage disposal system, owners must have the soil analyzed by a soil classifier; percolation tests are no longer accepted.
Building permits in Danville, Hoopeston and Westville
Danville
Building Safety accepts all building permit applications only through Danville’s CitizenServe Online Portal. Community development application fees can be paid by credit card over the phone at 217-431-2321, or applications mailed with a check to 1155 East Voorhees Street, ATTN: Building Safety. Danville issues Land Disturbance Permits in two classes: Class 1 for 1.0 acre or more and Class 2 for 2,000 sf up to 1.0 acre.
Hoopeston
A building permit application is posted on the city’s Forms and Applications page; the City Administration office is at 301 West Main Street.
Westville
Village forms and permits are filled in and submitted online on the Forms & Permits page.
Rather talk it over?
Call 1-855-478-4290 →How to get a permit in Vermilion County
Any development in the floodplain needs a Floodplain Development permit from the county EMA.
Get Health Department permits; for septic, owners must have the soil analyzed by a soil classifier.
File in the CitizenServe Online Portal.
Use the application on the city’s Forms and Applications page.
Submit online on the Forms & Permits page.
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 Vermilion County
In Danville, failing to schedule a required inspection can bring a $100 charge per offense.
Rather not deal with the Vermilion County building department?
Get a free quote →Official Vermilion County permitting resources
These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.
- Vermilion County floodplain management
- Vermilion County private sewage disposal
- Vermilion County private water wells
- Danville permits
- Hoopeston forms and applications
- Westville forms and permits
Want this handled start to finish?
Get a free quote →Frequently asked questions
Does Vermilion County have a building department?
None appears on the county website. The county requires Floodplain Development permits and its Health Department issues septic and well permits.
How do I apply for a Danville building permit?
Only through Danville’s CitizenServe Online Portal.
Is a percolation test accepted for a septic permit?
No. Vermilion County requires a soil analysis by a soil classifier; percolation tests are no longer accepted.
Simplify Vermilion 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
Inspections are where schedules slip.
Get a free quote →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.
Ready to break ground in Vermilion County sooner?
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More Illinois permitting guides
This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Vermilion County permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.