Peoria County, IL Building Safety: Building Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Peoria County Code § 12-15(h)
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Planning & Zoning (Building Safety)
- Geographic scope
- Unincorporated Peoria County only
- Maximum fine
- $1,000 per day, petty offense
- Fee timing
- Paid before permit issues (§ 12-11)
- Permit exemption
- Sidewalks ≤30 inches above grade
Summary
In unincorporated Peoria County, anyone who wants to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, or demolish a building, change its occupancy, or install or replace an electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system must first apply to the building official and obtain a permit under Peoria County Code Section 12-15(h).
105.1. Required. Any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy classification (which could affect the fire hazard requirements) of a building or structure, 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, or to cause any such work to be done, shall first make application to the building official and obtain the required permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
1 to require a permit before any owner or agent constructs, enlarges, alters, repairs, moves, demolishes, or changes the occupancy classification of a building, or installs, alters, or replaces an electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing system. This chapter applies only in the unincorporated areas of the county (Section 12-1(a)); Peoria, Chillicothe, and Bartonville enforce their own codes. The county's Department of Planning and Zoning acts as the Department of Building Safety, headed by the Director of Planning and Zoning, per Section 12-15(d). 2, Building item 6, as amended).
1, and no permit issues until the fee set under Section 12-11 is paid; fees also cover any required compliance testing. Once issued, one set of approved construction documents is retained by the building official and a second is forwarded to the Supervisor of Assessments. The building official may post a notice of violation under Section 12-12 and, per Section 12-15(k), can act to prevent occupancy of a noncompliant structure. Anyone doing regulated work before applying for or receiving a permit is separately penalized under Section 12-6 in addition to owing the permit fee.
Violations & Fines
Building, altering, or demolishing without the required permit, or continuing work after a stop-work order, is a petty offense under Peoria County Code Section 12-6(a), punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, with each day the violation continues counted as a separate offense. The Director of Planning and Zoning can post a notice of violation, issue a stop-work order under Section 12-6(d), and refer the matter to the State's Attorney or the county's Code Hearing Unit to seek a court order preventing occupancy or use of the structure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this permit rule apply inside the City of Peoria?
What work is exempt from a building permit?
Who reviews and issues the permit?
What happens if I start work before getting a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Peoria County
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