Illinois, Cook County Roofing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas

Cook County Building & Safety Jurisdiction

The Cook County Department of Building and Zoning is the authority responsible for issuing building permits for properties located within unincorporated Cook County. It is important to note that these county-level permits do not apply to properties located within the City of Chicago or within the incorporated municipal boundaries of suburban cities and villages. Property owners should verify their jurisdiction using the county's interactive mapping tool, CookViewer, before beginning any project.

Roofing Permit Requirements for Unincorporated Areas

A building permit is required for roof replacements and repairs in unincorporated Cook County. The Department of Building and Zoning requires all permit applications and supporting documentation to be submitted in a digital format. Key requirements for a re-roofing permit include:

A completed permit application, including the property index number (PIN) and details regarding water/sewer service.
A Plat of Survey, signed and sealed by an Illinois-registered surveyor, that is no more than five years old.
A detailed scope of work, which must include specifications on roofing materials (including fire class), the location and extent of "ice and water" shield, and a description of how the roof will be vented to code.
Information regarding any associated work, such as flashing, gutters, downspouts, soffit, or fascia.
If structural work (such as rafter replacement or chimney reconstruction) or the installation of power vents/attic fans is involved, additional documentation or letters of intent from licensed contractors may be required.
All roofing contractors must hold a valid State of Illinois roofing contractor license and a Cook County Contractor Registration.
Homeowners performing their own roof replacements on their primary residence must register as a roofing contractor, provide proof of general liability insurance, and pay the required registration fee.

Resources to Learn More

Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Illinois, including Cook County.

Illinois Roofing Legislation, Codes, and Guidelines

State-Level Building Codes and Legislation for Roofing in Illinois

As of January 1, 2025, Illinois has implemented a statewide baseline building code requirement pursuant to Public Act 103-0510, which amended the Capital Development Board Act. This legislation mandates that all municipalities and counties in Illinois must adopt and enforce building codes that meet or exceed the minimum structural requirements of the International Code Council (ICC) standards, specifically the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). Prior to this, Illinois did not have a unified statewide building code, and regulations were determined entirely at the local municipal or county level.

While the state now requires a baseline, local jurisdictions retain the authority to adopt their own specific editions (such as the 2018, 2021, or 2024 editions) and implement local amendments, provided those amendments do not reduce the structural requirements below the state-mandated baseline. Consequently, specific roofing requirements—such as those for ice and water shields, ventilation, and shingle layering—can still vary significantly between different cities, villages, and counties. Property owners and contractors must consult their local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) to confirm the specific code edition and local amendments applicable to their project.

Primary State Agency

The Illinois Capital Development Board (CDB) is the primary state agency responsible for the administration of the state's building code framework. Under the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105), the CDB is tasked with identifying and publishing local building codes and ensuring that municipalities and counties comply with the requirement to report their adopted codes and amendments to the state.

Resources to Learn More

Select a City in Cook County

If your project is located within incorporated city limits, you will likely need to follow municipal ordinances rather than county rules. Select your city below to view local regulations.

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