Permit Requirements for North Aurora, Illinois
For Plumbing projects in North Aurora, determining the correct permitting authority depends on whether the project site is located within the incorporated city limits or in an unincorporated area of Kane 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 North Aurora is located within Kane County, the following broader county regulations may also apply to your project:
Illinois, Kane County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Kane County Plumbing Permit Requirements
Kane County, Illinois, requires building permits for most construction or alteration work in unincorporated areas. This includes significant plumbing changes. All plumbing work must comply with the current State of Illinois Plumbing Code and State of Illinois Plumbing License Law.
Jurisdiction and Unincorporated Areas
The Kane County Building & Community Services Division is responsible for issuing building permits for properties located in unincorporated areas of the county. If your property is within an incorporated city or village, that municipality's building department handles permit applications, not the county.
Plumbing Work Requiring a Permit
Permits are generally required for:
- New houses and commercial buildings.
- Room additions, attached garages, finished basements, and major remodels.
- Most accessory structures such as sheds, detached garages, and barns.
- Most decks, porches, gazebos, and pavilions.
- In-ground pools and most above-ground pools that are 24 inches deep or more.
- Privacy fences that cannot be seen through.
- New or upgraded electric service, major electrical work, HVAC, water heater replacement, and plumbing changes.
- Demolition of a house, garage, or other structure.
Minor work that typically does not require a permit includes fences that are see-through, interior finish work (painting, wallpaper, flooring, cabinets, countertops), sidewalks and driveways at grade, and retaining walls 4 feet high or less.
Plumbing Certification
After plumbing work is completed and before a final inspection can be scheduled, a Plumbing Certificate must be submitted. This certification confirms that the plumbing was installed in compliance with the State of Illinois Plumbing Code and License Law. This can be completed by an Illinois Licensed Plumbing Contractor or, for single-family residential projects only, by the Occupant Owner if they have had the work inspected by an Illinois Licensed Plumbing Inspector.
Building Codes Adopted by Kane County
- 2021 International Residential Code
- 2021 International Building Code
- 2021 International Existing Building Code
- 2021 International Mechanical Code
- 2020 National Electric Code
- 2024 Illinois Energy Conservation Code
- 2014 Illinois State Plumbing Code
- 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code
These codes, as amended by Kane County, are available for review.
Application Process
To apply for a building permit, you will need to create an account on the Kane County CityView Portal, submit your application and PDF plans, undergo a plan review, and then pay fees electronically through the county's online portal system once the permit is approved.
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