Do I need a permit for a full bathroom remodel in
McHenry, Illinois?

McHenry full bathroom remodel permits — the key details

McHenry's permit requirement hinges on whether your remodel touches plumbing, electrical, or structure. Per the 2021 Illinois Building Code (IBC) adopted locally, any bathroom where a fixture is relocated — toilet, sink, tub, or shower — requires a plumbing permit and plan review. Similarly, adding a new exhaust fan duct (even if replacing an existing fan with a newer model in the same location, if the duct path changes) triggers a permit. The city's Building Department interprets this strictly: if you are moving a toilet three feet to the other wall, you need a permit. If you are replacing that same toilet in its existing location with an upgraded model and new flapper, you do not. This distinction matters because many homeowners assume 'full remodel' automatically means permit, when in fact surface work — retiling, vanity replacement in-place, faucet upgrades, lighting fixture swap — does not. The IRC R302.4 (bathroom and toilet room separation) and M1505 (exhaust duct sizing and termination) are the two sections McHenry inspectors scrutinize most during plan review. A common rejection: applicants show a new 6-inch exhaust duct but don't specify the duct termination location (roof vs wall) or whether it's insulated, which is required in Illinois climate zone 5A to prevent condensation and mold.

Electrical work in bathroom remodels is regulated under NEC 210.8 (GFCI protection) and IBC Chapter 27 (electrical). In McHenry, any outlet within 6 feet of a sink, tub, or shower must be GFCI-protected, either via a GFCI receptacle or a GFCI breaker. If your remodel adds a new circuit — say, a dedicated 20-amp circuit for a heated towel rack or lighting — you must submit an electrical plan showing all outlet locations, circuit assignments, and GFCI protection. McHenry's plan reviewers cross-check this carefully; a rejection for missing GFCI notation is routine. Bathroom lighting must also comply with IRC E3903 (switch height and location, no switches within reach of wet areas). If you are adding a new outlet or moving existing wiring, the electrical contractor must pull a separate electrical permit (often bundled with the building permit). AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) protection is required for all circuits in the bathroom per 2021 IBC, not just GFCIs — this is a McHenry-specific enforcement point that trips up some renovators who assume GFCI alone is sufficient.

Waterproofing assembly and tub/shower valve specifications are where McHenry's plan reviewers spend the most time. If you are converting a tub to a shower or installing a new shower, IRC R702.4.2 requires the entire shower enclosure (from floor to at least 6 inches above the showerhead) to be waterproofed with a vapor-impermeable membrane over cement board or equivalent. The old tile-on-drywall approach is no longer code-compliant. McHenry requires applicants to specify the exact waterproofing product and system — brand and model number — on the plan. Eggboard (blue or green board) is not acceptable; it must be cement board or a product listed for tub/shower use. The valve must be a pressure-balanced or thermostatic mixing valve (not a simple on-off valve) to prevent scald risk, per IRC P2722.1. If your plan shows a standard cartridge valve without anti-scald features, expect a rejection and a request to upgrade. Drain piping is also scrutinized: the trap arm (the pipe from the drain to the trap) must be no longer than 24 inches per IRC P3005.2, and the slope must be 1/4 inch per foot. A common mistake is running the drain too far horizontally to reach a distant stack, which violates code and will not pass inspection.

McHenry's permit and plan review process is conducted through the city's online portal, which requires uploading a PDF set of plans (not hand-sketches). The city's Building Department typically requires a set showing floor plan, plumbing layout, electrical plan, and fixture specifications. Turn-around for initial plan review is 7–10 business days; if rejections occur (common for bathroom remodels due to missing details), you resubmit and wait another 5–7 days. Once the permit is approved and issued, you then schedule inspections: rough plumbing (after all drains and supply lines are in but before drywall), rough electrical (after wiring is installed), and final inspection (after tile, fixtures, and trim are complete). In a typical full bathroom remodel, inspections happen over 3–4 weeks of construction, adding to the overall timeline. The permit fee in McHenry is based on project valuation: for a $15,000–$25,000 full bathroom remodel, expect permit fees of $300–$600. The city's fee schedule uses a tiered formula (roughly 1.5–2% of the contractor estimate or actual cost), so getting an accurate contractor bid upfront helps calculate fees. Owner-builders are allowed to pull permits for their own occupied homes in Illinois, but they must comply with all code requirements and pass all inspections — being the owner does not reduce inspection rigor.

One often-overlooked issue specific to McHenry's 42-inch frost depth: if your remodel includes any below-slab work (such as moving a toilet drain to a new location and excavating to the main line), the work must extend below the frost line and be protected against heave. Most bathroom remodels avoid this by keeping drains above-slab and using stub-ups, but if your existing plumbing is compromised or you are updating the entire waste line, frost protection becomes relevant. Additionally, homes built before 1978 in McHenry trigger lead-paint disclosure requirements under the Illinois Environmental Protection Act (IEPA). If you are disturbing surfaces (sanding drywall, removing old tile) in a pre-1978 bathroom, you must provide lead-hazard disclosure to the contractor and ensure they follow lead-safe work practices. This doesn't typically require a separate permit, but it is a compliance requirement that some homeowners miss. McHenry's Building Department can verify your home's year of construction if you provide the address.

Three McHenry bathroom remodel (full) scenarios

GFCI and AFCI protection in McHenry bathrooms — what the 2021 IBC actually requires

McHenry enforces the 2021 Illinois Building Code, which mandates GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) protection for all outlets within 6 feet of a sink, tub, or shower, per NEC 210.8. AFCI (arc-fault circuit interrupter) protection is required for all circuits in the bathroom per 2021 IBC 2708.1.1 — this includes lighting, exhaust fans, and heated-mirror circuits, not just wet-area outlets. Many homeowners (and some contractors) believe GFCI alone is sufficient; it is not. Your electrician must show on the plan which outlets and circuits have GFCI breakers, which have GFCI receptacles, and which have combination units.

The practical difference: a GFCI breaker protects all outlets on that circuit; a GFCI receptacle protects only downstream outlets. In a bathroom remodel, McHenry inspectors commonly reject electrical plans that show a single GFCI outlet protecting multiple circuits or that fail to specify AFCI for the lighting circuit. If your contractor shows a 15-amp lighting circuit without AFCI notation, expect a plan-review rejection. The cost to install AFCI breakers is minimal ($30–$50 per breaker), but the design step must be correct upfront.

Another trap: GFCI and AFCI protection can conflict in some configurations. A GFCI/AFCI combination breaker ($80–$120) solves this but must be specified. McHenry's Building Department has a FAQ on their portal (check the city website) clarifying that combination GFCI/AFCI breakers are acceptable and often preferred for bathroom circuits. If your electrical plan does not address this combination requirement, the inspector will flag it. Ensure your electrician submits a one-line diagram showing breaker assignments, circuit amperage, and protection type (GFCI, AFCI, or dual) before plan review to avoid delays.

Waterproofing and shower assembly compliance — why McHenry rejections happen (and how to avoid them)

Shower waterproofing is the #1 source of plan-review rejections for bathroom remodels in McHenry. IRC R702.4.2 requires a continuous, vapor-impermeable membrane over cement board behind all tile in tub and shower areas. The old method — tile directly on greenboard or drywall — is no longer compliant. McHenry's inspectors require the plan to specify the exact waterproofing system: product name, manufacturer, and installation method. Examples of compliant systems are Schluter KERDI (a plastic membrane), Mapei Mapeproof (liquid-applied), or Hydro Ban (brush-applied). If your plan just says 'standard waterproofing' or 'tile backer board,' it will be rejected and you'll have to resubmit.

Cement board is mandatory per IRC R702.4.1 — not EPS, not foam boards. The board must be 1/2 inch thick, attached with galvanized screws per the product's specification, and the joints must be taped and sealed. Over the cement board goes the membrane, then the tile adhesive and tile. This three-layer system (board + membrane + tile) is what McHenry requires to be shown on your plan. Cost for materials is roughly $600–$1,200 for a typical 5x8 shower depending on the membrane product and tile choice. The membrane alone is $200–$400. Many budget-conscious remodels try to skip the membrane and just use cement board and tile, which will fail inspection. A pressure-balanced or thermostatic mixing valve is also required (IRC P2722.1) — this prevents scalding if cold water is interrupted. A standard single-handle cartridge valve without anti-scald features will not pass inspection. Specify the valve model on the plan.

Duct termination for exhaust fans is another waterproofing-related detail. In climate zone 5A (McHenry's zone), condensation inside the duct is a risk, so the duct must be insulated and must terminate to the outside (roof soffit or gable wall), not into the attic. Attic termination is code-noncompliant in Illinois and is a common McHenry inspection failure. The duct diameter must match the fan CFM rating (IRC M1505.2) — typically 4 or 6 inches for bathroom fans — and the slope should be 1/8 inch per foot back toward the fan to prevent condensation pooling. If the fan is a 80-CFM unit, a 4-inch duct is acceptable; a 100+ CFM unit may require 6-inch. The plan must show the duct routing, termination location, and insulation type. Missing this detail triggers a 'resubmit for mechanical details' rejection.

Common questions