Permit Requirements for Richmond, Illinois
For Plumbing projects in Richmond, determining the correct permitting authority depends on whether the project site is located within the incorporated city limits or in an unincorporated area of McHenry 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.
Help Us Improve This Guide
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 Richmond is located within Mchenry County, the following broader county regulations may also apply to your project:
Illinois, McHenry County Plumbing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
McHenry County Plumbing Permit Requirements
McHenry County's Department of Planning and Development handles building permits, including those for plumbing, for properties in unincorporated areas. If your property is located within a village or city limit, you must contact that specific municipality's building department.
Jurisdiction and Unincorporated Areas
The McHenry County Building Division is responsible for enforcing building codes and issuing permits for all construction activities in unincorporated McHenry County. This includes plumbing work. Properties within municipal boundaries are subject to the rules of those respective cities or villages.
Plumbing Permit Specifics
- Plumbing work is subject to the latest adopted Illinois Plumbing Code.
- Permit fees include a base fee for trade permits, with additional costs calculated based on project scope and square footage.
- Rough plumbing inspections are required before insulation and drywall are installed.
- Slab plumbing inspections are required before the basement floor is poured.
- Contractors performing plumbing work must hold state licenses.
Resources to Learn More
- McHenry County Department of Planning and Development: [https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/planning-development]
- McHenry County Permit Portal: [https://permits.mchenrycountyil.gov/Citizen/Default.aspx]
- Illinois Plumbing Code: [https://www.illinois.gov/sites/ihda/Licenses/Pages/PlumbingLicense.aspx]
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