Kendall County, Illinois Roofing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Kendall County Building & Safety Division
The Building Division of the Kendall County Planning, Building & Zoning (PBZ) Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Kendall County Building Code. This division handles the issuance of building permits for all new construction within the unincorporated areas of the county, as well as the incorporated Villages of Millbrook and Plattville. The department's primary goal is to establish minimum life, safety, and health requirements to protect the public.
Roofing Permit Requirements for Unincorporated Areas
If you are planning a roofing project in an unincorporated area of Kendall County, it is essential to contact the Building Division directly to determine if a permit is required for your specific scope of work. While the county maintains a list of projects that require permits and those that do not, roofing requirements can vary based on the extent of the repair or replacement (e.g., simple shingle replacement versus structural roof work). You should consult the official Building Permit Information Packet or contact the department to verify current requirements before beginning any work.
Please note that the Building Department does not accept emailed applications or paperwork. All permit applications and required documentation must be submitted in person at their office, mailed, or placed in the designated grey mailbox located in the vestibule of the Courthouse at 504 S. Main Street, Yorkville, IL.
Resources to Learn More
Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Illinois, including Kendall 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