Issue · Housing

Housing (Building Codes)

Every housing bill, vote, and legislator stance in Illinois, automatically classified by Maddy, our AI policy reader.

Total bills
8
104th Regular Session
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Showing 8 of 8 bills

All housing bills

in committee · Illinois · Senate Mar 9, 2026

SB 4061: CTY/MUNI BUILDING CODES-STAIRS

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, no building code adopted by a county or municipality may prohibit residential buildings from having a single stairway serving as an exit for all units if the building: (1) has not more than 6 stories above grade plane; (2) is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in the interior exit stairway; (3) has all dwelling unit doors serving as an exit equipped with self-closing devices; (4) is equipped with smoke detection throughout all common areas and individual dwelling units; (5) has at least one emergency escape and rescue opening for each individual dwelling unit; and (6) has not more than 4 individual dwelling units on a floor. Limits home rule powers.
Sub-Topics Building Codes
in committee · Illinois · Senate Mar 6, 2026

SB 4063: MUNI CD-BUILDING PLANS/INSPECT

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality shall complete its initial plan review within (1) 15 business days after receipt of a complete application for a one-family residential project or 2-family residential project or (2) 30 business days after receipt of a complete application for any multifamily, mixed-use, or commercial project. Provides that, if a municipality fails to complete its plan review within the deadlines established under the provisions, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party plan reviewer. Provides that a municipality shall accept any plan review submitted by a qualified third-party plan reviewer as meeting the municipality's requirements if the review demonstrates compliance with the applicable building codes. Provides that, if a municipality fails to conduct a required inspection within 2 business days, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party inspector. Provides that a municipality may require reasonable documentation demonstrating that a qualified third-party plan reviewer or qualified third-party inspector meets the qualification requirements, including proof that the qualified third-party plan reviewer's or qualified third-party inspector's licensure or certification is current and active. Provides that a municipality may not charge plan review or inspection fees for any portion of the review process or inspection process performed by a qualified third-party plan reviewer or qualified third-party inspector. Provides that a qualified third-party plan reviewer or qualified third-party inspector shall disclose any potential conflict of interest to the applicant and the municipality before accepting an engagement. Limits home rule powers.
Sub-Topics Building Codes
in committee · Illinois · House Mar 27, 2026

HB 4800: LOC GOV BUILDING PERMIT ACT

Creates the Local Government Building Permit Act. Provides that the Act only applies to units of local government that require a person to obtain a permit from the unit of local government before the person may construct a building within the unit of local government. Requires a unit of local government to comply with specified timelines for issuing building permits. Provides that, if a unit of local government fails to comply with the timelines, then the building permit is automatically approved by operation of law, unless the proposed building project violates published building or zoning codes. Requires a unit of local government to publish the specified information concerning building permits on its public-facing website. Provides that the fees that a unit of local government imposes to approve a building permit application may not exceed the actual cost the unit of local government incurs to review a building permit application. Provides that, if a unit of local government denies a person's building permit application, then the person may appeal the decision to the Building Permit Ombudsman. Amends the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity Law. Creates the position of Building Permit Ombudsman within the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that the Building Permit Ombudsman shall receive, review, and resolve appeals brought under the Local Government Building Permit Act. Requires the Building Permit Ombudsman to (i) examine the issues and the information provided by both parties; (ii) make findings of fact and conclusions of law; and (iii) issue a decision to the developer and the unit of local government in response to the appeal.
in committee · Illinois · House Feb 13, 2026

HB 5457: HOME COST REDUCTION ACT

Creates the Home Construction Cost Reduction Act. Provides that the Act shall only apply to single-family homes. Provides that municipalities may not prohibit factory-built, single-family homes that comply with (1) a national building safety code; (2) rules adopted by State agencies that satisfy the requirements of the Act; and (3) all local architectural, aesthetic, and design standards applicable to site-built homes in the same district. Provides that a State agency may not impose requirements on home construction that are inconsistent with any national building safety code unless the State agency provides (i) a housing cost impact statement; (ii) a compelling public safety concern that would be addressed by the additional requirements; and (iii) notice to the General Assembly in the manner specified in the Act. Provides that each housing cost impact statement shall include (1) an estimate, in dollars, of how the proposed rule would increase the cost to construct a single-family home or factory-built home; (2) an estimate of how the proposed rule would increase the time required to construct a single-family home or factory-built home; (3) a description of how the proposed rule deviates from national building safety codes; (4) whether a lower-cost compliance alternative to the proposed rule exists; and (5) whether the requirements of the proposed rule would disproportionately affect rural or low-income homebuyers. Provides that a rule adopted after the effective date of the Act without a housing cost impact statement is void. Provides that, if a State agency fails to approve or deny a construction-related permit within 45 days, then the permit is deemed approved. Provides that the State shall waive all State-level permitting, inspection, and plan review fees for the construction of starter homes. Provides that a State agency may not increase any permitting, inspection, or plan review fee applicable to the construction of single-family homes for 5 years following the effective date of the Act. Provides that, on or before January 31 of each year, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall submit a written report containing specified information to the General Assembly. Provides that the Act is repealed 5 years after the effective date of the Act. Effective immediately.
Sub-Topics Building Codes
in committee · Illinois · House Jun 22, 2026

HB 5626: MUNI CD-ACCESSORY DWELLINGS

Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that, 8 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a municipality shall, on any lot located in a residential zoning district that permits single-family dwellings, allow (1) on an area of not more than 2,500 square feet, at least one detached single-family dwelling unit; (2) on any lot with an area of more than 2,500 square feet and not more than 5,000 square feet, up to 4 dwelling units; (3) on any lot with an area of more than 5,000 square feet and not more than 7,500 square feet, up to 6 dwelling units; and (4) on any lot with an area of more than 7,500 square feet, up to 8 dwelling units, including cottage clusters. Provides that each municipality shall permit accessory dwelling units in all zoning districts that permit single-family dwellings without additional requirements for lot size, setbacks, aesthetic requirements, design review requirements, frontage, space limitations, or other controls beyond those required for single-family dwelling units without an accessory dwelling unit. Provides that, if a municipality fails to complete its plan review within the deadlines established under the provisions, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party plan reviewer. Provides that, if a municipality fails to conduct a required inspection within 2 business days, then the applicant may retain a qualified third-party inspector. Provides that municipalities authorized to levy impact fees must calculate fees using the statewide formula structure issued by the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, the corporate authorities of a municipality shall not establish minimum automobile parking requirements for (A) residential dwellings of less than 1,500 square feet; (B) affordable housing projects under the Illinois Affordable Housing Act; (C) assisted living establishments; (D) ground level nonresidential spaces in mixed-use buildings; or (E) buildings undergoing a change of use from nonresidential to residential. Amends the Counties Code. Provides that, beginning January 1, 2027, no building code adopted by a county or municipality may prohibit residential buildings from having a single stairway serving as an exit for all units if the building satisfies specified requirements. Limits home rule powers. Makes other changes.
in committee · Illinois · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 4589: CTY CD/MUNI CD-BUILDING PERMIT

Amends the Counties Code and the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that county boards and municipalities may not issue a building permit on a residential unit if the owner of the property is in default on any mortgage.
in committee · Illinois · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 3552: LOCAL-ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS

Creates the Local Accessory Dwelling Unit Act. Provides that a unit of local government may not prohibit the building or usage of accessory dwelling units in the unit of local government. Provides that a unit of local government may provide reasonable regulations relating to the size and location of accessory dwelling units similar to other accessory structures unless a regulation would have the effect of prohibiting accessory dwelling units. Provides that, for the purposes of the Act, a regulation is considered to have the effect of prohibiting an accessory dwelling unit if it: (1) explicitly disallows the construction of accessory dwelling units; (2) imposes fees other than building permit review; (3) applies standards that would render such units inconsistent with other local land use laws; (4) imposes design, bulk, and density standards that would physically preclude the project; (5) requires off-street parking spaces; or (6) requires corrections of nonconformities of the principal dwelling unit. Provides that that a unit of local government shall approve or deny an application for a permit to create or serve an accessory dwelling unit by right and without discretionary review. Requires the unit of local government to either approve or deny the application to create or serve an accessory dwelling unit within 60 days from the date the unit of local government receives a completed application if there is an existing single-family or multi-family dwelling on the lot. Provides that, if the unit of local government has not approved or denied the completed application within 60 days, then the application shall be deemed approved unless the Act provides for additional time. Provides that, if a unit of local government denies an application for an accessory dwelling unit, then the unit of local government shall return a full set of comments to the applicant in writing with a list of items that are defective or deficient and a description of how the application can be remedied by the applicant. Provides that a unit of local government shall not deny an application for a permit to create an accessory dwelling unit due to the correction of nonconforming zoning conditions, building code violations, or unpermitted structures that do not present a threat to public health and safety and are not affected by the construction of the accessory dwelling unit. Defines terms. Limits home rule powers.
signed · Illinois · Senate Aug 15, 2025

SB 39: VETS-TINY HOMES-EV EXEMPTION

Amends the Electric Vehicle Charging Act. Exempts any tiny home for veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing, if that tiny home is constructed by a specified nonprofit organization that exclusively funds and administers tiny homes for veterans. Provides that every county and municipality that has the power to issue building permits and otherwise control the construction of buildings shall require by ordinance that an applicant seeking a building permit to construct tiny homes for at-risk veterans must include with the permit application a completed and signed affidavit stating that all buildings constructed under the permit are designated for the exclusive use of qualifying veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and in need of secure, long-term affordable housing. Prohibits a county or municipality, including a home rule unit, from adopting any building code or ordinance that requires EV-capable parking spaces for tiny homes constructed for the purpose of providing affordable housing for at-risk veterans under the provisions. Effective immediately.