Kitchen remodel permits in Illinois, city by city

Permits are set by each city, not by the state. Chicago and Rockford say you do not need a building permit to install cabinets or countertops, and Chicago adds that this holds only without plumbing or electrical connections. For the other cities below, the pages we read do not mention cabinets or countertops. Electrical, plumbing and structural work needs a permit where a city's page says so. Ask your building department before work starts.

By Ryan Nesheim ยท Published 2026-10-20

Illinois has no single kitchen permit rule. The state pamphlet for homeowners says to check with local and county units of government to determine if permits or inspections are required. Cities also set their own contractor rules, as covered in how to choose a kitchen remodeler.

The table below is what each city's own page says, read on one date. It says "page does not say" where a page is silent. We do not carry one city's rule over to another. City pages change, and fees and review times change, so use the link in each row and call the building department before you start.

A kitchen with open wall framing, a sink under a window and cabinets, with a red hose on the floor
Illustration, not a photo of a listed company's project.

What cabinets and countertops alone need

Chicago and Rockford say no building permit is needed to install cabinets or countertops. Chicago says this only when there are no plumbing or electrical connections. Naperville, Aurora, Peoria and Evanston name painting, flooring, carpet or similar finish work as exempt, but they do not name cabinets or countertops. Elgin, Joliet, Springfield, Champaign, Schaumburg, Arlington Heights, Oak Park, Downers Grove, Wheaton and Orland Park do not say. For those, ask the building department.

Permit rules for 16 cities

What each city's own page says about a kitchen remodel. Read on October 19, 2026.
CityKitchen remodel, electrical, plumbing and structural workCabinets and countertops aloneOfficial pages
ChicagoRemodelers in ChicagoChicago's Express Permit Program covers nonstructural interior alterations in a single home up to 2,000 square feet, including electrical work (new service under 400 amps) and plumbing work (up to 5 water supply fixture units added), without adding, removing or reconfiguring walls. Moving walls needs drawings by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. Structural work is not eligible for the express program. Replacing a drain, water, waste or vent pipe, or a concealed trap, with new material needs a permit.No building permit is needed to install cabinets or countertops, or to do painting, tiling, carpeting and similar finish work, "without plumbing or electrical connections." Work done without a permit must still comply with the Chicago Construction Codes.
NapervilleRemodelers in NapervilleThe Guide to Building Permits lists remodeling of a building (kitchen, basement and bathrooms) as work that needs a permit. Electrical work needs a permit except minor repair and low voltage wiring. Plumbing work needs a permit, including replacing or rearranging valves, pipes or fixtures. Structural work needs a design by an Illinois-licensed design professional. The guide's file name carries the date 103122, so check the city page for a newer version.Page does not say about cabinets or countertops. It says cosmetic improvements such as painting, wallpapering, carpeting and trim work do not require permits.
AuroraRemodelers in AuroraAurora says any structural changes, new construction, additions or interior remodels will always require a permit, and homeowners doing the work must also apply. Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work may require a permit, and interior plumbing work does. Low voltage electrical (50 volts or less) does not.Page does not say about cabinets or countertops. It says interior cosmetic work such as painting, flooring and carpeting does not need a permit.
RockfordRemodelers in RockfordPermits are required for construction, alteration, enlargement, repair or moving of a structure larger than 120 square feet. Replacing a fixture in the same location is exempt if it does not require resizing or rearranging any trap or piping. Replacing receptacles, switches and light fixtures is exempt if the wiring and junction box are not altered. A homeowner who lives in the single-family dwelling may do the plumbing and electrical work. Otherwise a licensed plumbing contractor and a registered electrician must.The exemption list names cabinets and countertops: no building permit for "painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops and similar finish work."
JolietRemodelers in JolietThe residential permit page says the residential construction types it lists require a permit from the Building Department. It offers a New Home/Remodel Permit Application and separate Electrical and Plumbing Permit Applications. The text we could read does not say whether a kitchen remodel needs a permit.Page does not say.
ElginRemodelers in ElginThe one- and two-family guide for new construction, additions and remodeling says permits are required. Elgin has no kitchen-specific guide. For projects not listed it says to contact 311 in Elgin. An architect or structural engineer's seal is required when existing structural elements are altered. Miscellaneous electrical permits need an electrical contractor's license from a municipality that gives a written exam, plus a notarized letter of intent. Miscellaneous plumbing permits need a State of Illinois plumbing contractor's license and a notarized letter of intent. The remodeling guide cites the 2012 International Residential Code, so confirm with the city.Page does not say.
PeoriaRemodelers in PeoriaPeoria lists "remodeling a kitchen or bath if electrical, plumbing, heating, or walls are disturbed" as needing a permit. Permits are required for adding to, removing or changing portions of the electrical system, the plumbing system, or walls.Page does not say about cabinets or countertops. It lists painting and decorating, wallpapering, carpeting and floor finishing, and replacing electrical fixtures with equivalent units as work that needs no permit.
SpringfieldRemodelers in SpringfieldThe city's permit application has a Remodel box, with separate lines for general, electrical, plumbing and mechanical contractors. The pages we read do not say whether a kitchen remodel needs a permit. A city notice says only contractors registered with the city can apply for mechanical and electrical permits, and only plumbers licensed by the State of Illinois can apply for plumbing permits. An owner who lives in the home may apply under conditions the notice sets, including doing the work themselves. The application PDF is dated February 20, 2015.Page does not say.
ChampaignRemodelers in ChampaignA permit is required to construct, alter or repair a building, or to install, enlarge, alter, repair or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system. Exempt are small sheds, fences, playground equipment and minor repair work to electrical, mechanical or plumbing systems. Champaign's estimated plan review for one- and two-family permits is five business days from receipt of all material.Page does not say.
SchaumburgRemodelers in SchaumburgSchaumburg has a Kitchen Alteration Resource Guide. It says a kitchen remodel needs a permit and the electrical work needs its own electrical permit. Hired contractors need a Schaumburg Contractor's Business License before a permit is issued. Drawings show existing and proposed walls, kitchen cabinet layout and appliance layout, and extra plans may be required if bearing walls are removed or relocated. The page shows the current fee.Page does not say.
Arlington HeightsRemodelers in Arlington HeightsThe village has a permit type called Alteration, Remodel, Repair, Residential, applied for through its Civic Access Portal. Contractors must hold a valid contractor license. The typical time allowed for initial review or revisions is 5 business days. The packet, revised April 2026, does not say whether a kitchen remodel needs a permit.Page does not say.
EvanstonRemodelers in EvanstonEvanston publishes a Residential Kitchen Remodel Checklist for the drawings submitted with a permit application. All contractors working under a building permit must be registered with the city. The owner-occupant of a single-family residence may do any part of the work, with affidavits for electrical, plumbing or mechanical work. A state-licensed architect must prepare, sign and seal drawings where the work is structural. The city states processing times of 4 to 6 weeks for building permits and 3 to 4 business days for express permits.The exempt list names paint, wallpaper, tile, carpet and similar finish work, not cabinets or countertops. The checklist says current plumbing and electrical code provisions will be enforced if countertops are removed, and electrical upgrades will be required for cabinet replacement if the existing system does not comply with the current adopted code.
Oak ParkRemodelers in Oak ParkThe September 2025 permit submittal guide says a permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a building, and to erect, install, alter, repair, remove, convert or replace electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing systems.Page does not say.
Downers GroveRemodelers in Downers GroveThe permits page says most projects require a permit of some type and that it is best to start with a call to the Village before you begin. It does not give kitchen remodel, electrical, plumbing or structural specifics.Page does not say.
WheatonRemodelers in WheatonPermits are required for any construction or remodeling work involving structural, electrical, mechanical, plumbing or roofing work. Wheaton has a Kitchen Remodeling, Residential page that lists codes, required plans and inspections. Plans must be signed and sealed by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer if load-bearing walls or framing members are altered, moved or removed. Rough inspections are required once all rough-ins are complete, before insulation or concealment.Page does not say.
Orland ParkRemodelers in Orland ParkThe Residential Remodels page says a permit is required for residential remodels. Applications include separate plumbing, electric and mechanical permit applications, digital plans showing existing and proposed walls and any proposed changes to electrical or plumbing fixtures, and a homeowner's affidavit if the homeowner does any of the work.Page does not say.

These are the cities we read, not a ranking. If your city is not in the table, find its building or community development department and ask.

Electrical, plumbing and structural work

A kitchen remodel often touches electrical and plumbing. The pages we read say the following, and only where they say it.

No permit still means the code applies

Chicago says work done without a building permit under its exemption must still comply with the Chicago Construction Codes. Evanston's checklist says current plumbing and electrical code provisions are enforced if countertops are removed. A missing permit requirement does not mean the work is exempt from the codes.

Questions to ask about permits

More questions for the first call are in questions to ask a kitchen remodeler. For how permit review fits into the order of a project, see the kitchen remodel timeline. If you plan to move a sink, a wall or the stove, read kitchen layouts. To find a company in your city, use the city list.

Sources

Every source below was checked on October 19, 2026. Official pages change, so confirm anything that affects your job with the source itself.

Find a remodeler in your city

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