Evanston, IL Building Safety: Plumbing Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- Before plumbing work begins
- Adopted code
- 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code
- No-permit fine
- 50% of permit fee
- General violation fines
- $150 / $400 / $750
- Issuing authority
- Building & Development Services Division
Summary
Evanston requires a permit before any plumbing system installation, alteration, or replacement, and enforces the 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code adopted by City Code Section 4-5-1.
Any owner or authorized agent who intends to ... erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system, the installation of which is regulated by the International Building Code, International Residential Code, International Fire Code, International Mechanical Code, International Fuel Gas Code, NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, State of Illinois Plumbing Code ... 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 21).
Full Breakdown
City Code Section 5-1-3 (adopting ICC Property Maintenance Code Section 105.11) requires anyone who intends to erect, install, alter, remove, convert, or replace a plumbing system to first apply to the Building Official and obtain a permit before work begins. The plumbing work itself must follow the 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code, which Evanston adopted by reference under home rule authority in City Code Section 4-5-1, along with local amendments covering backflow prevention, water service sizing, and sewer depth. The Building and Development Services Division, as Building Official, reviews and issues plumbing permits.
Violations & Fines
Working without a permit triggers a stop-work order plus a fine equal to fifty percent of the permit fee. Code violations run $150, $400, then $750, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for plumbing work in Evanston?
What plumbing code applies in Evanston?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Evanston
Compare Evanston 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 If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Plumbing Permits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle plumbing permits.