Bathroom Remodel in Loves Park, IL

Local rules

Permits, plumbing and water in Loves Park

Wikipedia says a tiny sliver of Loves Park is in Boone County; the Census figures on this page cover the whole city.

Bathroom work and permits

The city FAQ says "Permits are needed for anything that requires inspections. This includes all new buildings, structural changes, remodeling projects, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work." Repairing interior wall or ceiling coverings (no more than 50% of a room) is exempt. The city posts no list of exempt fixture swaps, so call the Building Department before treating a same-spot toilet or vanity swap as permit-free. source 1 source 2 source 3

Permit office

The City of Loves Park Building Department, 100 Heart Boulevard, (815) 654-5033, issues permits for "all new buildings, structural changes, remodeling projects, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work," and "Permits are needed for anything that requires inspections." Fees are paid at the City Clerk's office. Under the local amendment, replacing doors and windows at the same size and repairing interior wall or ceiling coverings (50% or less of a room, not in a fire rated assembly, no hazardous structural elements exposed) are exempt. Rough-in and final inspections are done for most work; call (815) 654-5033 to schedule. The same department inspects for the Village of Machesney Park under a cooperative agreement that began October 18, 2017. source 1 source 2 source 3

Who may do the plumbing

Loves Park's residential code (Ordinance 4689-25, P2501.1) says "All work shall be performed by State of Illinois licensed plumbers in accordance with the Plumbing Licensing Act," and the permit application asks for the plumbing license number. State law separately lets an owner-occupant of a single-family home do their own plumbing, so ask the city how it applies that before planning a do-it-yourself plumbing job. source 1 source 2

Permit fees

The posted fee schedule (effective February 15, 2018) charges $15 per plumbing fixture opening plus a $40 processing fee per permit, so a toilet, vanity and shower would be three openings. Building permits start at $40 for the first $2,000 of value and rise by value band. Starting before a permit doubles the fee, to not less than $250. Three inspections are included and extra ones are $50. source 1 source 2

Code edition

Ordinance 4689-25, adopted February 17, 2025, adopts the 2021 International Residential Code as the city Residential Code. Its amendments cover R105.2 permit exemptions, R105.7 permit posting, R108.6 work before permit, R313 sprinklers (not required in one and two family dwellings, including additions and alterations) and R322 flood elevation. As of April 1, 2025 the city also uses the 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code with 2021 IPC Chapter 11, the 2021 Illinois Energy Conservation Code and the 2020 NEC with amendments. source 1 source 2

Contractor rules

We found no Loves Park general contractor registration. The permit application asks for the Illinois plumbing license number and the roofing license number, and requires the permit holder to post the permit visible from the street. source 1 source 2

Water supplier

The City of Loves Park runs its own wells (#1 to #5), and the North Park Public Water District serves part of the Loves Park area. Neither 2025 report publishes hardness. source 1 source 2

Also worth knowing

Permits expire one year after issue, or six months if no significant work has been done, and the permit has to be posted where it can be seen from the street. source 1 source 2

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