Permits and licensing · Illinois
Renovation permits and contractor licences in Illinois
Illinois licenses plumbers through the Department of Public Health and roofing contractors through the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, but general contractors and electricians are handled locally: cities such as Naperville require contractors to register with the city. Building permits and most building codes come from your local government.
Regulators and licensing bodies in Illinois
These official bodies license contractors, oversee safety or issue permits in Illinois.
Illinois Department of Public Health
Licenses plumbers. Anyone who plans, inspects, installs, alters, extends, repairs or maintains plumbing systems in Illinois must be licensed, and plumbing contractors must also register with the state.
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
Licenses roofing contractors under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act, separating the roofing contractor from the qualifying party, and runs the state licence look-up.
Illinois Capital Development Board
Administers state building code requirements. Local governments adopt the codes they apply, and legislation added a statewide requirement aimed at commercial and state-funded buildings.
Trades that need a licence in Illinois
Plumbing
Plumbing is licensed at state level: the plumber must hold an Illinois licence, and a plumbing contractor working for others must also register with the state and pay an annual fee.
Sources:Illinois Department of Public Health – Plumbing licensing(opens in a new tab)
General contracting and renovation
Roofing contractors are licensed by IDFPR under the Illinois Roofing Industry Licensing Act. General contractors are not on the state's list of licensed professions, so ask your city whether it licenses or registers contractors.
Sources:Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Roofing contractors(opens in a new tab)IDFPR – Licensed professions(opens in a new tab)
Electrical work
Electrical licensing in Illinois is handled locally. In Naperville, for example, a permit is required before any electrical work begins and electricians working in the city must be registered as an electrical contractor with the City.
Sources:Naperville – Permits and licences(opens in a new tab)
Building and renovation permits in Illinois
Permits come from your municipality. Naperville requires a permit for an elevated deck and for a new or expanded patio above the paved area the City sets, and Aurora handles permits and contractor licensing through its Division of Building and Permits. Illinois has long left building codes to local governments, with a later statewide requirement aimed at commercial and state-funded buildings, so ask your local building department which code applies.
Sources:Naperville – Deck, patio and shed permits(opens in a new tab)Aurora – Permit list(opens in a new tab)Illinois Capital Development Board – Building codes and regulations(opens in a new tab)
Permit information from large municipalities
Before you hire a contractor in Illinois
Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.
For plumbing work, check the plumber's state licence and that the contractor is registered with the state.
Official lookup: Illinois Department of Public Health – Plumbing licensing(opens in a new tab)
For roofing work, look the contractor up in the state licence look-up.
Official lookup: IDFPR – License look-up(opens in a new tab)
Ask your city whether it licenses or registers contractors and electricians, and check before you hire.
Official lookup: Naperville – Permits and licences(opens in a new tab)
Ask your local building department which permits your project needs and which code it applies.
Official lookup: Illinois Capital Development Board – Building codes and regulations(opens in a new tab)
Confirm the contractor's licence and insurance with your state or county government, and get the work, materials and price in writing.
Official lookup: FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam(opens in a new tab)
Sources for renovation permits and licences in Illinois
Every fact on this page comes from these official sources.
- Illinois Department of Public Health – Plumbing licensing(opens in a new tab)
- Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation – Roofing contractors(opens in a new tab)
- IDFPR – Licensed professions(opens in a new tab)
- Illinois Capital Development Board – Building codes and regulations(opens in a new tab)
- Naperville – Permits and licences(opens in a new tab)
- Naperville – Deck, patio and shed permits(opens in a new tab)
- Aurora – Permit list(opens in a new tab)
- FTC – How to avoid a home improvement scam(opens in a new tab)
Find licensed pros
Compare local pros for the regulated trades in this guide, then confirm their licence with the regulator before you hire.
Renovation permits in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Planning a renovation?
Describe your project once and hear from local pros. Ask each one for their licence and permit details before you hire.