Building Safety in Tazewell County, IL (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Tazewell County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
Tazewell County adopted the 2018 International Residential Code but stripped out its automatic fire sprinkler mandate. Section 154.041(DD) rewrites IRC § R313.2 so new one- and two-family homes in the unincorporated county are not required to install a residential fire sprinkler system, though any system that is installed must still meet the IRC's own sprinkler standards.
Tazewell County Residential Sprinkler Rule
Few RestrictionsTazewell County Code of Ordinances § 154.041(DD)
(DD) Section R313.2 “One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems” is hereby amended to read as follows: An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required to be installed in one- and two-family dwellings. If one is installed, however, it shall comply with the relevant code sections of the International Residential Code.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Section 96.10 requires a working carbon monoxide alarm within 15 feet of every sleeping room in county dwellings, and multi-unit buildings need the same 15-foot standard applied to every bedroom in the structure. Units with no fossil-fuel combustion or garage connection are exempt.
Tazewell County Carbon Monoxide Alarm Rule
Some RestrictionsTazewell County Code of Ordinances § 96.10(A), (B)
(A) Every dwelling unit shall be equipped with at least one approved carbon monoxide alarm in an operating condition within 15 feet of every room used for sleeping purposes. The carbon monoxide alarm may be combined with smoke detecting devices provided that the combined unit complies with the respective provisions of the administrative code, reference standards, and State Fire Marshall's depar...
Building Permits
Tazewell County requires a building permit from the Community Development Administrator before construction, demolition, fence installation, swimming pool construction, or electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work on unincorporated land. The permit must issue before work commences, not after.
Tazewell County Building Permit Requirement
Some RestrictionsTazewell County Code of Ordinances § 157.557
A building permit shall be obtained from the Community Development Administrator by the owner, lessee, or other person having the right to possession, or his or her authorized agent, of any property or structure before commencing: (A) The construction, erection, or development of any building or structure, either by itself or in addition to another use, including buildings or structures to be...
Electrical Permits
Tazewell County requires an electrical permit for wiring work in the unincorporated area and enforces the NFPA 70 National Electrical Code, 2017 edition, adopted by reference under § 154.070. Homeowners pay $55 per dwelling unit for new work and $45 for alterations, additions, accessory structures, or a service replacement under the county's building permit fee schedule.
Tazewell County Electrical Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsTazewell County Code of Ordinances § 154.070
§ 154.070 ADOPTED BY REFERENCE. The NFPA 70, National Electrical Code 2017 Edition, is hereby adopted by reference.
Plumbing Permits
Tazewell County requires a plumbing permit for fixture work in the unincorporated area and enforces the State of Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 890, adopted by reference under § 154.085. The county's fee schedule charges $55 for up to 16 fixtures and $15 for each additional fixture or a domestic water heater.
Tazewell County Plumbing Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsTazewell County Code of Ordinances § 154.085
§ 154.085 ADOPTED BY REFERENCE. The current State of Illinois Plumbing Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code Pt. 890, is hereby adopted by reference.
Building Inspections
Tazewell County's Community Development Administrator inspects permitted properties before a certificate of occupancy issues, and staff may enter unincorporated land to inspect for code compliance. Compliant structures get their certificate within ten working days of the final inspection.
Tazewell County Building Inspection Process
Some RestrictionsTazewell County Code of Ordinances § 157.587
The Community Development Administrator shall inspect the property that is the subject of a building permit, a certificate of occupancy, or a temporary certificate of occupancy to determine whether the use of the property and structures comply in all other respects with the pertinent provisions of these regulations... If the Community Development Administrator determines, after inspection, that...
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