Waukegan, Illinois Building Permit Guide

The City of Waukegan Building & Code Department issues building and sign permits and does plan review and construction inspections for residential, commercial and industrial properties in the city. Applications are submitted online through the city’s public portal, where applicants log in or create an account.

This guide covers Waukegan’s permit office, contractor registration, codes, inspections and the fees on the city’s permit-type pages. The complete fee schedule is in the city code online library, which could not be read, so confirm other fees with the department.

What requires a building permit in Waukegan?

Waukegan requires building permits for all work except minor repairs, same-size replacement windows and doors, painting and flooring. Fence permits are needed for all fences, including replacements, and roofing needs a permit for all work except minor repairs.

Since 10/16/23, selling a property requires a Zoning Certificate: a code officer does a minimal code/life safety inspection after the $150.00 application fee is paid, and the certificate expires after 6 months.

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 Waukegan?

Contractor registration in Waukegan

Contractors register with the city before getting permits. Registration is annual, expires December 31st and costs $100.00. The certificate of insurance must show $2,000,000 general aggregate liability, workers compensation, and the City of Waukegan as certificate holder.

Electrical contractors register with a $10,000 license and permit bond and a copy of an Illinois municipality license; demolition contractors need a $15,000 license and permit bond. Commercial/industrial roofing must be done by an unlimited licensee.

Illinois licenses plumbers through the Department of Public Health and roofing contractors through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation; there is no state general contractor or electrician licence, and many jurisdictions require local registration. Contractor credentials in Illinois

Waukegan permit costs and fees

• Fence: minimum $75.00 for work under $3,000.00, or $125.00 base + 3% of construction cost over $3,001.00, plus a $150.00 zoning review fee. Processing may take up to 21 business days in construction season.
• Electrical: minimum $125.00 for work under $3,000.00, or $150.00 base + 3% of value over $3,001.00, plus an electrical plan review fee from a flat $75.00 up to 1.5% of construction value.
• Demolition: $100.00 base plus $2.00 per 1,000 cubic feet, with $325.00 plan review and inspection fees; parkway openings $100.00 each and street openings $500.00 each.
• Penalties: $75.00 for failed and no-show inspections; permit fees are doubled for work started without a posted permit.

How to get a building permit in Waukegan

A building permit carries a validity period set by Waukegan; confirm the expiry on phased or delayed work before it passes. Permit validity in Illinois

Building codes in Waukegan

Waukegan’s approved codes, effective 4/1/2022, include the 2021 International Building Code, the 2021 International Residential Code and the 2020 National Electrical Code. Re-roofing is limited to 2 layers of shingles, and at least 24 inches of ice and water shield is required.

Inspections in Waukegan

Request construction inspections on the customer portal. Properties north of Washington Street are inspected 8am-11:30am and properties south of Washington Street 1pm-3:30pm, Monday to Friday; questions go to 847-625-6868. Fence post holes must be at least 36 inches deep and are inspected.

Official Waukegan permitting resources

These are the primary sources behind this guide. Codes, fee schedules and procedures change — confirm the position for your filing date.

• Waukegan building permits
• Waukegan building codes
• Waukegan inspections
• Waukegan fence permits
• Waukegan demolition permits
• Waukegan right-of-way permits

Frequently asked questions

When will my Waukegan inspection happen?

North of Washington Street, 8am-11:30am; south of Washington Street, 1pm-3:30pm, Monday to Friday.

Do I need anything from the city to sell a house in Waukegan?

Yes. Since 10/16/23 a Zoning Certificate is required, with a minimal code/life safety inspection after the $150.00 fee.

How many roof layers are allowed in Waukegan?

Re-roofing is limited to 2 layers of shingles.

Simplify Waukegan permitting with Alliance Permitting

• Check what the village or city needs for the project: permit, contractor registration, plans and outside approvals
• Prepare and file the application in the right portal, inbox or counter
• Track review, book the inspections and close out the permit

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.

This guide is provided by Alliance Permitting for general information about Waukegan permitting. Requirements, fees, and procedures change; confirm details with the permitting authority before relying on them.