Building Safety in Bloomington, IL (2026)
8 verified building safety rules for Bloomington, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
In the City of Bloomington, one- and two-family homes are not required to install automatic fire sprinklers: the city deleted the IRC's mandatory sprinkler sections entirely. Instead, Bloomington City Code § 10-501 forces every builder to formally offer the buyer the option before a permit issues.
Bloomington Residential Fire Sprinkler Rule
Light RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 10-501 (Sec. R313.1, R313.2, R313.2.1, R313.3)
SEC. R313.1 TOWNHOUSE AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS. Modify by deleting the section in its entirety. SEC. ... R313. ... 2 ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS AUTOMATIC FIRE SYSTEMS. Modify by deleting the section in its entirety. SEC. R313.2.1 DESIGN AND INSTALLATION. Modify the language to read as follows: When provided, automatic residential fire sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed...
Door Locking Hardware
A vacant commercial building in Bloomington must keep its exterior doors equipped with working locking hardware, and any exit door it keeps open for egress has to be secured with an internal deadbolt, or an equivalent lock the Economic and Community Development Department approves, that still opens from the inside without a key. Bloomington City Code § 45-314 sets the standard.
Door Locking Hardware Rules in Bloomington, IL
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 45-314
Exterior windows and doors shall be equipped with hardware for locking and the locking mechanism shall be maintained in properly functioning condition; ... Every exit door maintained as such in compliance with Subsection D(3) shall be secured with an internal deadbolt lock, or with a locking mechanism deemed equivalent or better by the Economic and Community Development Department, and every su...
Green Building Code
In the City of Bloomington, energy-efficient construction runs on the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, adopted by ordinance under Bloomington City Code § 10-209. The code sets minimum standards for building envelopes and mechanical, lighting and power systems on every new building and major renovation permitted in the city.
Bloomington's Green Building Code: IECC 2018
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 10-209, 10-211
§ 10-209. [Ch. 10, Sec. 20] Adoption of the International Energy Conservation Code - 2018. ... There is hereby adopted for the purpose of establishing minimum regulations governing energy efficient building envelopes and installation of energy efficient mechanical, lighting and power systems; providing for the issuance of permits, collection of fees and penalties, an energy code by the name of ...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Every residential occupancy in the City of Bloomington that burns fossil fuel for heat, cooking, ventilation, or hot water, or that connects directly to a garage, must have a working carbon monoxide detector within 15 feet of every sleeping room. The requirement is a local amendment to the Property Maintenance Code at Bloomington City Code § 45-201, and a violation can draw a fine of $50 to $500 per day.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors Required in Bloomington, IL
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 45-201, Sec. 704.5
Any person who shall violate a provision of this Code shall, or fail to comply therewith, or with any of the requirements thereof, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $500. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense. ... Carbon monoxide detectors shall be installed and maintained in all res...
Building Permits
In the City of Bloomington, construction work generally needs a permit before it starts, and skipping that step costs extra. Bloomington City Code § 10-401 (Sec. 105.10.2) sets a specific demolition-permit trigger, and Sec. 109.7(f) imposes a 100%-of-fee surcharge on any work begun without a permit.
Bloomington Building & Demolition Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 10-401 (Sec. 105.10.2, Sec. 109.7(f), Sec. 109.20)
SEC. 105.10.2 DEMOLITION PERMIT REQUIRED. A demolition permit shall be required before any person proceeds with any of the following work: (a) Demolition or removal of 50% or more of the floor area of any building (or buildings on the same lot); or (b) Demolition or removal of 50% or more of the structural elements or the walls or facade of a building (or buildings on the same lot). ... (f) Fee...
Electrical Permits
In the City of Bloomington, all electrical wiring, alteration or repair runs on the 2020 National Electrical Code, adopted under Bloomington City Code § 15-301. No wiring work may start until a licensed or registered person has obtained a permit under § 15-309, and skipping that step adds a 100% fee surcharge.
Bloomington Electrical Permit & NEC Rules
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 15-301, 15-309, 15-311
§ 15-301. [Ch. 15, Sec. 9] Adoption of Electric Code. ... There is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the safe and practical installation, alteration and use of electrical equipment, including permits and penalties, that certain Electric Code known as the National Electrical Code, as published by the National Fire Protection Association, being p...
Plumbing Permits
The City of Bloomington adopts the Illinois State Plumbing Code as its own under City Code Section 34-101, and Section 34-301 requires a permit from the City's Plumbing Inspector before any plumbing is installed, altered, or changed in a building or manufactured home, except in a genuine emergency reported afterward.
Bloomington Requires a Permit for All Plumbing Work
Some RestrictionsBloomington City Code §§ 34-101, 34-301
There is hereby adopted by the City for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for materials, construction, alteration, and inspection of all plumbing placed in or in connection with any building that certain Plumbing Code known as the Illinois State Code, being particularly the current edition thereof, and the whole thereof, of which not less than one copy has been and now is filed ...
Building Inspections
In the City of Bloomington, the Department of Economic & Community Development, called the Department of Building Safety under Chapter 10, inspects permitted work, and Bloomington City Code § 10-401 (Sec. 109.17) charges a reinspection fee whenever a project called ready for final inspection turns out not to be complete.
Bloomington Building Reinspection Fee Rule
Light RestrictionsBloomington City Code § 10-401 (Sec. 103.1, Sec. 109.17)
SEC. 103.1 CREATION OF ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. The Department of Economic & Community Development of the City of Bloomington (referred to herein as the "Department of Building Safety") is hereby created and the executive official in charge thereof shall be known as the Code Official and/or Building Official. SEC. ... 109.17 REINSPECTION FEE. If a contractor/owner/agent notifies the City that a proj...