Fees, valuation & enforcement
Permit fees are a project input. Enforcement exposure is a project risk. Use the official schedule where available, then confirm valuation, trade permits, plan review, and inspection charges with the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
Official fee pathway
The final charge may depend on declared construction value, occupancy classification, square footage, plan review, state surcharges, trade permits, technology fees, and inspection activity. Do not use a neighboring city’s fee table as a substitute for this jurisdiction.
Fee desk contact
815-288-3109 (Building Official); 815-288-3643 (Building and Zoning Office)
Ask the counter to confirm current charges before submitting a project with multiple trades or a change of use.
Financial exposure
Plan for building, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire, energy, zoning, septic, right-of-way, or other reviews that the project scope triggers. The lowest initial permit fee is not always the lowest project cost.
Enforcement exposure
When work begins without authorization, the agency may halt the site, require corrective plans, impose additional fees, withhold inspection release, or require concealed work to be exposed for review.
Closeout exposure
A missing final inspection or certificate can complicate occupancy, refinancing, sale, insurance, and utility connection. Preserve the approved plans and signed inspection record through closeout.
Professional field note
Even when a cosmetic or minor project does not require a building permit, zoning, floodplain, shoreline, historic, utility, fire, or right-of-way controls may still apply. Confirm the full jurisdictional picture before work starts.
Source trail
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
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
Why permit costs vary
Building departments commonly calculate charges from valuation, occupancy, floor area, project type, plan review effort, trade scope, state surcharges, and inspection activity. A remodel that appears small on paper may still trigger structural, energy, fire, or utility review. Ask the permit counter which disciplines apply before you finalize the construction budget.
The same discipline applies to enforcement. Correcting unpermitted work after finishes are installed can require demolition, revised plans, additional inspections, and schedule disruption. Authorization is usually the less expensive project-management decision.