White County, Illinois Roofing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Building and Safety Jurisdiction in White County, Illinois
White County, Illinois, does not maintain a centralized Building and Safety Department that issues general building permits. The county government does not have zoning ordinances on file for unincorporated areas, and consequently, it does not require standard building permits for construction projects, including roofing, in these areas.
Rules for Properties in Unincorporated Areas
While there are no general building permits required for roofing in the unincorporated areas of White County, property owners must still adhere to specific regulations regarding land use and safety:
- Flood Plain Compliance: Property owners are required to check with the White County Supervisor of Assessments to determine if their property is located within a designated flood plain. If the property is in a flood plain, the owner must comply with the county's adopted flood plain ordinance.
- State Licensing Requirements: Although the county may not issue a local permit, Illinois state law requires that roofing contractors hold a valid Limited or Unlimited Roofing License issued by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to perform roofing work.
Resources to Learn More
Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Illinois, including White 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