Building Safety in Kankakee County, IL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Kankakee County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Kankakee County does not require residential fire sprinklers outright. Sec. 105-211(7), amending the 2021 International Residential Code, instead waives the county's half-inch gypsum board protection under interior stairs "when an automatic residential fire sprinkler system is installed," giving builders a code-compliance alternative rather than a sprinkler mandate.
Kankakee County Fire Sprinkler Stair Exception
Light RestrictionsKankakee County Code Sec. 105-211(7)
Add Section R311.7.5.5 Underside of Interior Stairs. The underside of all interior stairs in new construction are required to be protected with at least half inch gypsum board or equal. Exception: The half inch gypsum board or equal shall not be required when an automatic residential fire sprinkler system is installed.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
In unincorporated Kankakee County, the Illinois Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act (Public Act 094-0741) is one of the technical codes adopted under Code Sec. 105-186 to control buildings and structures countywide. The Building Division of the County Planning Department enforces every adopted code, and violating any of them carries a fine of up to $500 per day under Sec. 105-131.
Kankakee County Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rule
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code Sec. 105-186(12)
The technical codes listed in this section are hereby adopted as the building codes of the county for the control of buildings and structures as herein provided. ... (12)Illinois Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act 094-0741.
Building Permits
In unincorporated Kankakee County, no one may construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure, or change a building's occupancy or use, without first filing an application with the county Building Division and obtaining a permit. The Planning Department's building division reviews plans, and a permit expires if work is not started within six months.
Kankakee County Building Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code § 105-66
It shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure; or change the occupancy of a building or structure requiring greater strength, exit, or sanitary provisions; or to change to another use; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this chapter, without first filing an application with the building divisi...
Electrical Permits
In unincorporated Kankakee County, no electrical wiring or service change may be made without a building permit under Sec. 105-66, and Sec. 105-218 amends the 2020 National Electrical Code to require every new or renewed electric service entrance to carry "100 amp or more total capacity" installed in conduit.
Kankakee County Electrical Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code Sec. 105-66; Sec. 105-218(4)
It shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure; or change the occupancy of a building or structure requiring greater strength, exit, or sanitary provisions; or to change to another use; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this chapter, without first filing an application with the building divisi...
Plumbing Permits
In unincorporated Kankakee County, no plumbing installation or alteration may start without a building permit from the Building Division under Sec. 105-66, and Sec. 105-186(9) makes the Illinois Plumbing Code the standard the county enforces rather than a locally drafted plumbing chapter.
Kankakee County Plumbing Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code Sec. 105-66; Sec. 105-186(9)
It shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure; or change the occupancy of a building or structure requiring greater strength, exit, or sanitary provisions; or to change to another use; or to install or alter any equipment for which provision is made or the installation of which is regulated by this chapter, without first filing an application with the building divisi...
Building Inspections
Before covering up any framing or plumbing, the owner or contractor building in unincorporated Kankakee County must notify the Planning Department's building division that the work is ready to inspect. The code enforcement officer then has five working days to inspect and, if the work passes, sign, date and post the approval on site.
Kankakee County Building Inspection Rules
Some RestrictionsKankakee County Code § 105-72
It shall be the duty of the owner or agent when a building is in the course of construction to notify the building division when the building is ready for inspection, before concealing or moving to the next step of construction. The code enforcement officer shall within five working days after receiving a request for inspection cause the same to be made. If the construction is found to be in ac...
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