Illinois county government & permit contacts

County government is commonly the right starting point for permits on unincorporated property — land outside any incorporated city, village, or town. But county structure varies: building, zoning, and permitting duties may sit in different departments, or even in a separate office building entirely. Always confirm the correct department and requirements for the exact address before starting work.

The courthouse photographs below illustrate Illinois county civic buildings generally. They do not indicate that the pictured courthouse itself houses the permit office — verify that detail with the county directly.