What do these permits involve in Lake County?

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Commercial Building Permit, Plan Examination and Trade Permits

PB&D issues building permits in unincorporated Lake County; its permits page tells owners whose property is in a village or city to contact that office. A new non-residential building or addition costs $67 per 1,000 cubic feet (minimum $113), and commercial repairs and alterations cost $24 per $1,000 of estimated cost (minimum $107). Plan examination for commercial or industrial work is $226 per 50,000 cubic feet (minimum $226). Trade fees for commercial or industrial work are a $226 plumbing base charge plus $36 per fixture, electrical at $113 per 1,500 square feet (minimum $226), heating at $113 per 1,500 square feet (minimum $113), air conditioning at $59 per 1,500 square feet (minimum $113), and $59 each for water supply and sewer disposal administration. A commercial swimming pool is $669 plus applicable plumbing and electric fees. Figures are per the Lake County Land Development Fee Schedule, a County Board fee schedule marked "Effective: December 1, 2025" and published on the PB&D Fee Schedule page, in effect from December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year by the lesser of 2 percent or the Lake County Consumer Price Index.

Zoning Review of Non-Residential Permits

Non-residential building permits in unincorporated Lake County carry a separate PB&D zoning review fee. For a principal use or structure and additions, "when site capacity and site plan review not required", the fee is $0.30 per square foot with a $559 minimum; for a non-residential accessory structure it is $0.15 per square foot with a $147 minimum. Zoning review of a non-residential site development permit is $131. Figures are per the Lake County Land Development Fee Schedule, a County Board fee schedule marked "Effective: December 1, 2025" and published on the PB&D Fee Schedule page, in effect from December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year by the lesser of 2 percent or the Lake County Consumer Price Index. A business inside a city or village goes through that municipality's zoning review instead.

County Highway Access Permit

A business taking new access to a county highway, or changing the use of a property with access to one, needs an access permit from the Lake County Division of Transportation, wherever the property sits. County Code § 90.032(A) states that "All fees required for this chapter shall be established by the County Engineer" and that fee information is provided in the Technical Reference Manual. The LCDOT access permit fee schedule (revised November 10, 2015 and effective December 1, 2015, reproduced in the current Technical Reference Manual and linked from the LCDOT Permits page) sets $150 for minimum access, $450 for minor access, $1,500 for major access without a highway improvement and $4,500 with one, a $1,500 traffic signal fee in addition to the major access fee, and $2,400 or $5,400 for designated freeway access. The schedule states: "All fees are non-refundable."

Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Site Plan Review and Construction Permit

A business site served by an onsite wastewater treatment (septic) system rather than a public sewer goes through Health Department site plan review and obtains a permit to construct the system. The site plan review fee depends on whether the work is a new system, a replacement or a repair, and on the type of system. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. A business on a public sewer has no septic permit.

Water Well Construction Permit

A business that drills, modifies or seals its own water well needs a Health Department water well permit, and the Health Department inspects the installation. The fee depends on the work being done on the well. The fee is as published in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, adopted under County Code § 178.01, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year, and the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020) states the amount for a given permit or license. A business on a public water supply without its own well has no well permit.

Use Permit (Commercial or Industrial)

The PB&D Use Permits page states: "The County requires business owners to obtain a Use permit before they can operate a new business or change the use of any business in unincorporated Lake County. (151.110)". The permit checks parking, building and health code compliance, road access and, where the site is on Lake County Public Works sewer or water, whether sewer or water permit fees apply. The Land Development Fee Schedule lists "USE PERMIT (Land or Building) Commercial or Industrial" at $220, per the Lake County Land Development Fee Schedule, a County Board fee schedule marked "Effective: December 1, 2025" and published on the PB&D Fee Schedule page, in effect from December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year by the lesser of 2 percent or the Lake County Consumer Price Index. The page adds that "Additional permits and fees, such as building or water, may also be required", and that an Early Assistance meeting will be required so staff can determine whether a Use permit is needed (see that record). Applications are submitted at 500 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville; a business inside a city or village applies to that municipality instead.

Early Assistance Meeting (Nonresidential Projects)

PB&D coordinates Early Assistance meetings for nonresidential projects in unincorporated Lake County, bringing the applicable county departments together to review a proposal before an application is finalized; requests go to a project manager at 847-377-2600. The Use Permits page states: "An Early Assistance (EA) meeting will be required so staff may determine if a Use permit will be required." The Land Development Fee Schedule lists "Early Assistance Meeting (nonresidential or subdivision projects)" at $291, with the footnote "Early Assistance Meeting fee purchase will be credited toward future permits for the presented project", per the Lake County Land Development Fee Schedule, a County Board fee schedule marked "Effective: December 1, 2025" and published on the PB&D Fee Schedule page, in effect from December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year by the lesser of 2 percent or the Lake County Consumer Price Index. The PB&D page states that Early Assistance letters for residential projects are provided at no charge.

Certificate of Occupancy (Commercial or Industrial)

A commercial or industrial building in unincorporated Lake County is occupied under a PB&D certificate of occupancy. The Land Development Fee Schedule sets $79 per 1,500 square feet, with a minimum team inspection fee of $336, and $336 for a commercial or industrial temporary certificate of occupancy, which lasts 90 days at most. Figures are per the Lake County Land Development Fee Schedule, a County Board fee schedule marked "Effective: December 1, 2025" and published on the PB&D Fee Schedule page, in effect from December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year by the lesser of 2 percent or the Lake County Consumer Price Index. Inside a city or village the municipality handles occupancy instead.

Sign Permit

A business sign in unincorporated Lake County is reviewed by PB&D under two lines of the Land Development Fee Schedule: the zoning review for "All Signs" at $2.82 per square foot with a $116 minimum, and the building code fee for "Signs" of $113. Figures are per the Lake County Land Development Fee Schedule, a County Board fee schedule marked "Effective: December 1, 2025" and published on the PB&D Fee Schedule page, in effect from December 1, 2025; the schedule adjusts on December 1 each year by the lesser of 2 percent or the Lake County Consumer Price Index. A business inside a city or village applies to that municipality for sign approval instead.

Permit	Issuing agency	Fee	Renews	Last checked
Commercial Building Permit, Plan Examination and Trade Permitsonly if it applies to you	Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department	Non-residential principal buildings or additions $67 per 1,000 cu ft (minimum $113); commercial repairs and alterations $24 per $1,000 of estimated cost (minimum $107); examination of plans, commercial/industrial, $226 per 50,000 cu ft (minimum $226); plumbing base charge $226 plus $36 per fixture; electrical $113 per 1,500 sq ft (minimum $226); heating $113 per 1,500 sq ft (minimum $113); air conditioning $59 per 1,500 sq ft (minimum $113); water supply and sewer disposal administration $59 each; commercial swimming pool $669 plus applicable plumbing and electric fees	per project	2026-10-07
Zoning Review of Non-Residential Permitsonly if it applies to you	Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department	Non-residential principal use or structure and additions (when site capacity and site plan review not required) $0.30 per sq ft, $559 minimum; non-residential accessory $0.15 per sq ft, $147 minimum; zoning review of a non-residential site development permit $131	per permit	2026-10-07
County Highway Access Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Division of Transportation	$150–$5,400 application fee per permit: Minimum Access $150; Minor Access $450; Major Access (no highway improvement) $1,500; Major Access (highway improvement required) $4,500; Traffic Signal Fee $1,500 in addition to the Major Access fee; Designated Freeway Access $2,400 or $5,400; all fees non-refundable	per permit	2026-10-07
Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Site Plan Review and Construction Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given site plan review or construction permit. The amount depends on the type of work (new system, replacement or repair) and the type of system	per project	2026-10-07
Water Well Construction Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center — Environmental Health	Set in the Lake County Health Department's fee schedule, which the Health Department's Environmental Health page states is effective December 1, 2025 and which adjusts on December 1 each year; the Environmental Health office (847-377-8020, www.lakecountyil.gov/2787/Environmental-Health) states the amount for a given water well permit. The amount depends on whether the well is constructed, modified or sealed	per project	2026-10-07
Use Permit (Commercial or Industrial)	Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department	$220 per Use Permit (Land or Building), commercial or industrial; zoning review, building and other permit fees may also apply	one-time, per new business or change of use	2026-10-07
Early Assistance Meeting (Nonresidential Projects)only if it applies to you	Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department	$291 per Early Assistance Meeting (nonresidential or subdivision projects); credited toward future permits for the presented project	one-time, per project	2026-10-07
Certificate of Occupancy (Commercial or Industrial)only if it applies to you	Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department	Certificate of occupancy, commercial or industrial, $79 per 1,500 sq ft (minimum team inspection $336); temporary certificate of occupancy (90 days maximum), commercial/industrial, $336	permanent for the permitted use; a temporary certificate lasts 90 days at most	2026-10-07
Sign Permitonly if it applies to you	Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department	Sign permit zoning review, all signs, $2.82 per sq ft ($116 minimum), plus the building code sign fee of $113	per sign	2026-10-07

Business licenses and permits in Lake County, Illinois

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Permits that apply to every type of business in Lake County