Will County, Illinois Roofing Permit Regulations and County Ordinances for Unincorporated Areas
Will County Building & Safety Division
The Will County Land Use Department, specifically the Building Division, is responsible for overseeing building permits and enforcing construction codes within its jurisdiction. This division ensures that projects comply with adopted building codes, such as the International Residential Code (IRC), to maintain safety and structural standards. They manage the permitting process, contractor registration, and inspections for residential and commercial projects.
Roofing Permit Requirements for Unincorporated Areas
In unincorporated areas of Will County, a building permit is required for re-roofing projects. According to the Will County Building Ordinance, a permit must be obtained in advance whenever a building or part of an appurtenance is re-roofed. Property owners or their authorized agents must submit a permit application to the Building Division before beginning work. Additionally, all contractors and subcontractors performing work in unincorporated Will County must be registered with the county, and roofers are required to hold a valid State of Illinois license.
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Note: The following state-wide building codes and regulations apply universally to all jurisdictions within Illinois, including Will 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.
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