Building Safety in Kendall County, IL (2026)
8 rules for unincorporated Kendall County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
Kendall County Code § 8-58 requires every elevator, escalator, automobile lift, man lift, personnel hoist and moving sidewalk in the unincorporated county to meet county and State Fire Marshal codes, with periodic tests and inspections at intervals of no more than six months, certified by an approved agency such as a National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities member. Elevators in residential structures are exempt.
Kendall County Elevator Inspection Requirements
Some RestrictionsKendall County Code § 8-58
(a)Permanent mechanical devices for the conveyance of passengers, including elevators, escalators, automobile lifts, man lifts, personnel hoists and moving sidewalks shall conform to all adopted Codes of the County and the office of the State Fire Marshal except as modified herein.(b)The following shall be certified as conforming to all applicable Codes:(1)Construction documents.(2)Acceptance t...
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Unincorporated Kendall County does not require automatic fire sprinklers in new one- and two-family homes. When the County Board adopted the 2024 International Residential Code, it struck Section R309, 'Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems,' in its entirety, removing the model code's residential sprinkler mandate from the local amendments in Kendall County Code § 8-25.
No Sprinkler Mandate for Kendall County Homes
Few RestrictionsKendall County Code § 8-25(8)
Sec. 8-25. - International Residential Code. Amendments to the International Residential Code are as follows: ... (8)Sec. R309. "Automatic Fire Sprinkler Systems" delete in its entirety.
Childcare Center Rules
Kendall County's zoning code defines a day care facility as one supervising more than three unrelated children for less than 24 hours a day, cross-referencing the Illinois Childcare Act. In the RPD-1 planned development district, a child day care facility needs a special use permit, a minimum 45,000-square-foot lot, and appropriate outdoor play areas under Section 36-365.
Kendall County Child Day Care Facility Standards
Significant RestrictionsKendall County Code §§ 36-2, 36-365(b)(3)
Day care facility means facilities that provide supervision and care of more than three (3) children unrelated to the operator of the facility for less than twenty-four (24) hours per day. The term "day care facility" includes day care centers and day care homes as defined and regulated under the Illinois Childcare Act (of 1969) (225 ILCS 10). ... (3)Child day care facilities, subject to the fo...
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Before a short-term rental in unincorporated Kendall County can be placed on the county registry, the Planning, Building and Zoning Department must inspect the property, and smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are the first item checked in that mandatory life-safety inspection.
Kendall County STR Smoke, CO Alarms
Some RestrictionsKendall County Code § 22-149(e)(1)
(e)Prior to approval of an application for placement on the short-term rental registry, the Planning, Building and Zoning Department shall conduct a life safety inspection of the subject property to ensure compliance with all applicable ordinances or codes promulgated by Kendall County or State or Federal statute. The burden is on the applicant to demonstrate compliance with all applicable requ...
Building Permits
Unincorporated Kendall County requires a building permit before any covered construction begins, and the County Board deleted the International Residential Code's entire 'Work Exempt From Permit' section, so none of the standard model-code exemptions for small sheds, decks or similar minor work apply here. Planning, Building and Zoning issues permits under the adopted 2024 IBC and IRC and inspects the work through completion.
Building Permits in Unincorporated Kendall County
Some RestrictionsKendall County Code § 8-25
Sec. 8-25. - International Residential Code. Amendments to the International Residential Code are as follows: ... (2)Sec. R105.2. "Work Exempt From Permit" this section shall be eliminated in its entirety.
Electrical Permits
Unincorporated Kendall County wires new construction to the 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70), adopted as part of the County Building Code. Kendall County Code § 8-26 confirms the County made no local amendments, deletions or insertions to that code, so the NEC applies exactly as published, and Planning, Building and Zoning issues a separate electrical permit and inspection for the work.
Kendall County Electrical Permits, 2023 NEC
Some RestrictionsKendall County Code §§ 8-19(3), 8-26
(3)2023 National Electrical Code NFPA 70. ... Sec. 8-26. - 2017 National Electrical Code. There are no amendments, deletions or insertions to the National Electrical Code.
Plumbing Permits
Unincorporated Kendall County regulates plumbing work under the Illinois Plumbing Code rather than the model International Plumbing Code. Kendall County Code § 8-27 adopts the state code, published by the Illinois Department of Public Health, by reference to govern installation, repair and alteration of plumbing, private water supply systems, private storm drainage systems and private sewage disposal systems countywide.
Kendall County Plumbing Permits and Illinois Code
Some RestrictionsKendall County Code § 8-27
Sec. 8-27. - Illinois Plumbing Code. The Illinois Plumbing Code, as amended, published by the State Department of Public Health, is adopted and incorporated by reference as the rules and regulations for the installation, repair and alteration of plumbing, private water supply systems, private storms drainage systems and private sewage disposal systems.
Building Inspections
New construction in unincorporated Kendall County goes through a fixed sequence of inspections from site staking to final occupancy. Kendall County Code § 8-33 requires the owner or contractor to request each inspection 48 hours in advance and keep approved plans on site, and § 8-45 blocks the final occupancy inspection until heating, plumbing, exterior finish, and well and septic approvals are complete.
Kendall County Building Inspection Stages
Some RestrictionsKendall County Code §§ 8-33, 8-45
Sec. 8-33. - Inspections. The inspections listed in Sections 8-34 through 8-45 are generally required. The owner or contractor shall request the designated inspection forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the time when such inspection is to be made. An approved set of building plans shall be on the job site for all inspections. Plans not available on the site will be reason for a failed inspecti...
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