Kendall County, IL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)

The County Board adopted the 2024 International Building Code and 2024 International Residential Code, with local amendments, as the Building Code of unincorporated Kendall County (Kendall County Code § 8-19). Section 8-20 makes that Code applicable to every building or structure constructed, enlarged, erected, repaired, altered, demolished, relocated or changed in use within County jurisdiction, so nearly all construction work triggers permitting. Section 8-25 amends the IRC and, in item (2), eliminates Sec. 2, 'Work Exempt From Permit,' in its entirety, meaning small residential projects that other jurisdictions exempt still need a Kendall County permit.

The companion IBC amendment at Section 8-24(5) strikes the parallel building-side exemption. A zoning certificate must be approved and paid for before Planning, Building and Zoning will issue the building permit itself (Kendall County Code § 8-47). 00 per inspection depending on whether the IRC or IBC applies. All permit fees are due before construction begins (Kendall County Code § 8-49). Every permit lapses if work is not started within 180 days of issuance or is suspended for 180 days, though the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee can grant a written extension on permits open more than two years (Kendall County Code § 8-25(3)).