Permit Requirements for Elmhurst, Illinois
For Plumbing projects in Elmhurst, determining the correct permitting authority depends on whether the project site is located within the incorporated city limits or in an unincorporated area of DuPage County.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
Most jurisdictions require permits for Plumbing work to ensure safety and code compliance. The governing body responsible for issuing these permits varies by specific location:
General Plumbing Guidelines
Permits are usually required for new installations, structural modifications, or major repairs. While minor maintenance or cosmetic updates may be exempt, landowners should always verify local codes before work begins.
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If you have found a direct link to a permit portal or a specific local ordinance for Plumbing in this area, please submit an update.
Because Elmhurst is located within Dupage County, the following broader county regulations may also apply to your project:
Illinois, DuPage County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
DuPage County Plumbing Permit Requirements
In DuPage County, Illinois, any installation, modification, or replacement of plumbing systems in unincorporated areas requires a separate plumbing permit.
The DuPage County Building Code, which applies to unincorporated areas, includes the Current Illinois State Plumbing Code.
The Building & Zoning Department is responsible for building permitting in unincorporated areas.
Rules for Properties in Unincorporated Areas
For properties in unincorporated areas of DuPage County, a permit is generally required for the installation, modification, or replacement of plumbing systems. This includes installations of plumbing equipment such as water heaters and water softeners/filtration systems.
Contractors performing work in unincorporated DuPage County are required to be registered with the DuPage County Building Official before obtaining a permit and starting work. Plumbers are required to register but do not pay a fee for this registration.
Permits become void if work does not commence within 180 days of issuance or if more than 180 days pass between required inspections. Extensions may be possible with continued project progress and regular inspections.
If an owner is performing their own plumbing work, a Plumbing Affidavit may be required.
For properties connected to the DuPage County sewer system, new service lines may be required for new structures, tear-downs, or additions over 800 square feet. Contact the Public Works Department for these situations.
For properties on well and/or septic systems, permits submitted for plumbing work may go to the Health Department for review, or a separate permit may be required from them for new well and septic systems. Contact Environmental Health for these cases.
Resources to Learn More
The following statewide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Illinois:
Illinois Plumbing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines
State Statutes and Plumbing Codes in Illinois
The state of Illinois does not adopt model codes like the International Plumbing Code (IPC) or the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) on a statewide basis. Instead, the state utilizes a standalone, state-developed code known as the Illinois Plumbing Code. This code is codified in the Illinois Administrative Code as Title 77, Part 890.
The authority for these regulations is established by the Illinois Plumbing License Law (225 ILCS 320), which mandates the creation of minimum standards for plumbing materials, fixtures, design, and installation methods to protect public health and safety.
Primary State Agency
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is the primary state agency responsible for setting and maintaining these standards. The IDPH Plumbing Program oversees the licensing of plumbers and apprentice plumbers, the registration of plumbing contractors, and the enforcement of the Illinois Plumbing Code across the state, except in jurisdictions that may have their own specific building code requirements (such as the City of Chicago, which maintains its own building code).
Resources to Learn More