Cook County building permits & inspections
Find the office responsible for building permits, plan review, inspections, and zoning in Cook County, Illinois.
Researched offices in Cook County
Finding the right permit office
- Identify the exact property address and municipality.
- Confirm whether the city, town, township, borough, parish, county, or regional authority serves that address.
- Ask which permits, zoning approvals, plan reviews, and inspections apply to the project.
- Keep the official portal, permit number, approved plans, and inspection instructions together.
Our guide City or county: who issues your building permit? explains how to check city limits and unincorporated areas using parcel maps and tax records.
What to check in Illinois
Illinois codes are adopted by municipalities and counties, but since January 1, 2025 they must be at least as strict as the IRC and IBC. Where no local code exists, new homes must still meet the IRC.
Local codes with an IRC/IBC minimum since 2025. An address inside an incorporated city or another local jurisdiction may be served by a separate building department.