Administrative overview · FIPS 17085
Jo Daviess County permit authority
The first compliance decision is jurisdictional: identify the office with statutory authority over your parcel, then use its filing and inspection sequence to keep the project moving.
Jurisdictional status
County
This county profile is the primary starting point for unincorporated-area permitting.
Responsible agency
Jo Daviess County Planning & Development Department
For a project in or near Jo Daviess County, this office is the identified point of contact for permit intake, statutory code enforcement, plan review coordination, and inspection release conditions. Confirm the parcel’s boundary and project type before relying on the county lane.
Direct contact
815-591-3810
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Jo Daviess County Highway Department Building, 1 Commercial Drive, Suite 1, Hanover, IL 61041
Operating hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-4:00 PM; closed holidays
Review expectation
Approximately 15-20 working days after a complete application packet is received; solar permits may take longer and require utility interconnection sign-off.
Compliance workbench
Choose the next project decision.
Apply online
Open the verified digital gateway, application form, and review timeline.
Open guide →Fees & penalties
Understand fee schedules, enforcement exposure, and stop-work liabilities.
Open guide →Codes & exemptions
Read the code framework, minor-work exemptions, and inspection lane.
Open guide →Agency website
Visit the primary public source for current notices and contact changes.
Open guide →Source trail
Official sources for this profile
Use these direct agency or licensing links to confirm current instructions before you file, pay, or schedule work. External pages control if their information differs from this directory.
Project questions
Frequently asked questions for Jo Daviess County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Jo Daviess County Planning & Development Department is the identified county-level authority for this profile. Confirm that the property is in its service area before filing.
How should I begin an application?
No verified online portal was located in the reviewed public materials. Contact 815-591-3810 and request the current application route before preparing a final submittal.
How long might review take?
Approximately 15-20 working days after a complete application packet is received; solar permits may take longer and require utility interconnection sign-off.
How are inspections scheduled?
Call Planning & Development at 815-591-3810 before work is ready and give 24 hours advance notice for footing forms before concrete, completed framing before siding, rough electrical/plumbing/mechanical before insulation, and final inspection before occupancy. A certificate of occupancy is issued after an approved final inspection.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Current county code (2025 S-7) adopts the 2021 International Building Code, 2021 International Residential Code, 2021 International Mechanical Code, 2021 International Fuel Gas Code, 2021 International Energy Conservation Code as amended by Illinois, 2020 National Electrical Code, 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code, and 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code. The county code exempts one-story detached accessory structures other than storm shelters when the floor area does not exceed 120 square feet. The building official may waive professional-design or plan-submission requirements for work under $25,000 and for limited work such as like-for-like fixture/door/window replacement, nonstructural reroofing, landscaping, patios, sidewalks, driveways, and similar activities; agricultural-building applications need only an accurate site plan.