Administrative overview · FIPS 17103
Lee 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
Lee County Building and Zoning Office
For a project in or near Lee 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
815-288-3109 (Building Official); 815-288-3643 (Building and Zoning Office)
Call before mobilizing if the project has a boundary, occupancy, fire, septic, or utility question.
Permit counter
Lee County Zoning Office, 112 East Second Street, 3rd Floor, Old Lee County Courthouse, Dixon, IL 61021
Operating hours
N/A on the current permit pages; call before visiting or using the department kiosk.
Review expectation
The county states applicants are contacted within 1-3 business days after online submission; complete commercial plans are subject to plan review and may require third-party review.
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 Lee County
Who handles permitting for this jurisdiction?
Lee County Building and Zoning Office 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?
Begin with the online permit gateway listed in the application guide. If the portal does not recognize the address or project type, contact 815-288-3109 (Building Official); 815-288-3643 (Building and Zoning Office).
How long might review take?
The county states applicants are contacted within 1-3 business days after online submission; complete commercial plans are subject to plan review and may require third-party review.
How are inspections scheduled?
Contact Building Official Joe Bay at 815-288-3109 or jbay@countyoflee.org for inspection arrangements. Commercial structures must obtain required inspections and approvals before permit approval; commercial inspection certificates are obtained through Casper's Home Inspections at 815-440-2146. Do not begin after online submission alone: only an approved placard and approval letter authorize work.
Which codes and exemptions should I review?
Where Lee County has no separate building code, plan review uses the most current International Building Code or International Existing Building Code, the Illinois Energy Efficient Building Code or Illinois Stretch Energy Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, Illinois Plumbing Code, applicable fire rules, and the most current National Electrical Code. The county does not publish a broad cosmetic exemption list on its current permit page. Fences and pools use separate applications; qualifying agricultural structures may receive special treatment under applicable law, but applicants must confirm requirements with the office. Government agencies still must submit an application even when no fee is charged.