Palatine · 2026

Building permits for remodeling in Palatine, IL

Per the Village's "When a Building Permit is Required" page, permits ARE required for: remodeling a kitchen or bathroom; finishing or remodeling a basement; adding rooms/room additions; adding or altering the electrical system; building or replacing a deck, shed, or roof; replacing or installing an air conditioning unit, heating unit, or water heater. Permits are NOT required for cosmetic work: painting exterior or interior walls; installing new flooring; replacing a window or door with the same size/type unit within the same framed opening; replacing a faucet.

When you need a permit

Per the Village's "When a Building Permit is Required" page, permits ARE required for: remodeling a kitchen or bathroom; finishing or remodeling a basement; adding rooms/room additions; adding or altering the electrical system; building or replacing a deck, shed, or roof; replacing or installing an air conditioning unit, heating unit, or water heater. Permits are NOT required for cosmetic work: painting exterior or interior walls; installing new flooring; replacing a window or door with the same size/type unit within the same framed opening; replacing a faucet. The Village notes the list is not all-inclusive and to contact the Building Department (847-359-9042) with specific questions. The FAQ adds that new buildings, additions, renovations, demolitions, temporary buildings, pools, decks, fences, and electrical/plumbing/HVAC/fireplace work usually require permits. Two permit tracks exist: Express permits (a fixed list of 16 small detached single-family project types such as AC/furnace/water heater replacement, roof tear-off, decks, fences, driveways — valid 90 days from issuance) and Standard permits (everything else, including kitchen/bath/basement remodels and additions).

How to apply

100% online — "All permit applications must be submitted on-line through the Citizen Self Service (CSS) portal" (https://citizen.palatine.il.us, an EnerGov self-service system; paper applications are not accepted). Registration on CSS is required; the Village publishes Step-by-Step CSS Registration and Application guides. For new construction, additions, and remodels the Residential Submittal Requirements document requires: (A) digital building permit application + copy of signed contract, (B) Building Permit Contractor List form (contractors must be registered and bonded with the Village; may be provided after application but before issuance), (C) current plat of survey (NOT required for interior-only work that adds no lot coverage), (D) plat of survey affidavit where an older plat is used, (E) working drawings min 18"x24" (floor plans at 1/4"=1', electrical, HVAC, plumbing isometrics, cross-sections; remodels/additions must show existing structure and distinguish new from existing with dashed lines for removals), (F) manufacturer specs for HVAC/fireplaces (ACCA Manual J/S sizing), (G) shop drawings for trusses/sprinklers, (H) ResCheck energy report if exterior glazing exceeds 15%. Incomplete submittals are not accepted. Pre-submittal meetings are no longer required but available on request (typically scheduled within one week). Review is against the 2021 IRC, 2021 IMC, 2021 IFGC, 2021 IECC with Illinois amendments, 2021 ISPSC, 2020 NEC (with amendments), and Illinois Plumbing Code.

Review times

Published goals on the Building Permits & Inspections page: Express permits — "Our goal is to have these reviewed in 5 business days"; Standard permits — "Our goal is to have these reviewed in 10-15 business days." Review does not begin until all required materials are submitted. Certificate of Occupancy/Compliance processing may take up to 5 business days after final approvals.

Inspections

The Residential Inspection Requirements document lists the individual required inspections; the specific list for each permit prints on the permit card and shows in the CSS portal. Documented inspection types relevant to remodels/additions: underground/under-slab plumbing (before concealment); rough plumbing (underground + above-ground, with stack test), rough mechanical, and rough electrical — all trade roughs must be approved BEFORE the rough frame inspection; rough frame (all framing inspected before covering, including fire-stopping); insulation (before concealment); house wrap (additions, after windows/roofing, before exterior finishes); concrete pre-pour (footing and foundation wall separately); foundation wall/draintile/waterproofing before backfill; final frame, roof, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical inspections after all work is complete. Energy testing: duct leakage test per 2021 IECC with IL amendments; blower door test for additions/alterations/renovations as required by the 2021 IECC (mandatory for new homes, BPI-certified tester) — no CO issued until passing reports are received. Additions/new homes also require spot survey (before rough), topographical survey and final grade inspection, and soils reports on teardown sites. Scheduling: through the CSS portal with minimum 24-hour notice; slots Mon-Fri 8-10 a.m., 10 a.m.-12 p.m., 1-3 p.m. (plumbing inspections Mondays and Thursdays only). Approved job-copy plans must be on site or the inspection is failed. Project closes with a Certificate of Occupancy or Certificate of Compliance, which the permit holder must request.

Fees

Published in the Village of Palatine Fee Schedule Supplement to the Code of Ordinances (CY 2024 edition, Village website archive). Key residential figures (CY 2024): Plan examination for single-family detached dwellings, additions, alterations, remodeling — $54 for valuation of $5,000 or less, plus $5 per $1,000 of valuation above $5,001. Building permit fee — $54 for $5,000 or less, plus $16 per $1,000 above $5,001. Minimum inspection fee $72. Trade inspection fees: plumbing fixtures $72 (up to 3), $143 (4-6), +$18/fixture beyond 6; residential electrical $72 (≤250 sq ft), +$143 (251-1,000 sq ft), +$36 per additional 1,000 sq ft; HVAC $72 (≤250 sq ft) +$143 (251-10,000 sq ft); carpentry/framing/insulation $72 (≤500 sq ft) +$215 (501-1,000 sq ft), +$36 per 1,000 sq ft up to 10,000. Re-inspection fee $72; cancellation fee $86. Certificate of Occupancy $68 per unit; permit extension 10% of permit fee ($73 min/$219 max residential). Flat express-type fees: roof tear-off/re-roof $99, deck $99, fence $74, shed $74, driveway $99, patio/private walk $99, HVAC replacement $99, sewer repair $99, electric service revision $99. Contractor annual registration: general contractor $269, all other contractors $67 (Sec. 11-473). Note: figures are the published CY 2024 schedule; confirm current-year amounts with the Village before relying on them.

Contractor registration

Yes. Contractors "must be registered and bonded with the Village of Palatine and where applicable with the State of Illinois" (Residential Submittal Requirements). Registration is done exclusively online via the CSS portal (https://citizen.palatine.il.us). All contractor registrations expire December 31 each calendar year regardless of bond end date. Published registration fees (CY 2024): general contractor $269/year; all other contractors $67/year. Electrical: the Village accepts electrical licenses from Elgin, Libertyville, Orland Park (Supervisory Electrician Certificate only), Schaumburg, Ottawa, Woodstock, Chicago, and ICC Master Electrician (R16-2023). Plumbing: licensed plumbers must include a notarized letter of intent on business stationery with signature and corporate seal (if incorporated) with permit applications. Lead paint: contractors disturbing lead-based paint in pre-1978 structures must be EPA RRP-certified. A completed Building Permit Contractor List form is required before permit issuance (not at application).

Worth knowing

We handle the permits for you

On every GS Construction remodel in Palatine, we prepare the application and drawings, register with the village where required, track the plan review, and schedule every inspection through to final sign-off — you never stand in line at village hall. See how the GS process works or talk to us about your project.

Planning a project here? See Remodeling in Palatine.

Official sources

Last verified against official Palatine sources: 2026-07-14. Requirements and fees change — confirm with the village before you build.

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