Aurora, IL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit trigger
- Construct, alter, repair, or demolish
- Small-job exemption
- Under $750 materials or $1,500 total
- Reviewing office
- Division of Building and Permits
- Applies citywide
- Kane, DuPage, Will, Kendall Counties
- Violation penalty
- $100-$1,000 fine per day
Summary
Aurora, Illinois requires a building permit before any owner constructs, alters, repairs, moves, or demolishes a building or structure, including detached accessory buildings and utility system work, across all four counties the city spans.
Any owner or owner's authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, including detached accessory structures; or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by this code...shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Full Breakdown
The City of Aurora's amended Building Code, adopted under home-rule authority, requires anyone who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure, including detached accessory structures, or install electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems, to first apply to the building official and obtain a permit. The Division of Building and Permits within the Development Services Department administers review. Because Aurora sits in Kane, DuPage, Will, and Kendall Counties, permit jurisdiction still runs through the city, not the county, for any address inside city limits.
Violations & Fines
Working without a required permit is a misdemeanor under § 12-17.1 (114.4.1): a fine of $100 to $1,000 per violation, with each day of continued work a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a permit required to remodel a kitchen or bathroom?
What size job is too small to need a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Aurora
Compare Aurora to another location·View the Illinois building safety overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Building Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle building permits.