Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

McHenry County, Illinois, adopted the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), with amendments. McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-052 (adoption and amendments).  McHenry County, Illinois, adopted the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), with amendments. McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-051 (adoption and amendments). McHenry County, Illinois, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with amendments. McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-050 (adoption and amendments).

Please note that the municipal code shows the adoption of the 2015 ICC Codes and 2014 NEC; however effective January 1, 2023 all new building permit applications will be reviewed for compliance with the 2021 ICC Codes and the 2020 NEC. McHenry, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-050 (adoption).

Helpful resources for McHenry County, Illinois include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Illinois

Residential Building Code

Illinois has yet to adopt a statewide residential code. Local laws will control.See PLRB, Illinois Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

McHenry County adopted the 2021 IRC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the model code here.

You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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See Amlegal(McHenry County, IL § 15.12.010 ADOPTED - AMENDMENT.)

...Such work shall include the following: (1) Repairs and Maintenance: A permit shall not be required for the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles. (2) Radio and television transmitting stations: The provisions of this code shall not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmissions, but do apply to equipment and wiring for a power supply and the installations of towers and antennas. (3) Temporary testing systems: A permit shall not be required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus. (4) Referenced Exemptions: A permit shall not be required for work prescribed as exempt in the International Building Code as adopted by McHenry County, the International Residential Code as adopted by McHenry County, or as referred to in Article 90.2 Scope.” c) Add Article 90.4 (C) “Inspections” to read as follows: “ (C) Inspections....

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for McHenry County ? Yes
Citation: McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-052
Municipal Code https://www.mchenrycountyil.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/110426/638104121486330000#page=9
Comments:

a.   Delete Table R301.2(1) and replaced as follows:

Table R301.2(1) Climatic and Geographic Design Criteria

For SI: 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.

a. Weathering may require a higher strength concrete or grade of masonry than necessary to satisfy the structural requirements of this code. The weathering column shall be filled in with the weathering index (i.e., “negligible,” “moderate” or “severe”) for concrete as determined from the Weathering Probability Map (Figure R301.2(3)). The grade of masonry units shall be determined from ASTM C 34, C 55, C 62, C 73, C 90, C 128, C 146, C 216 or C 652.

b. The frost line depth may require deeper footings than indicated in Figure R403.1(1). The jurisdiction shall fill in the frost line depth column with the minimum depth of footing below finish grade.

c. The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table to indicate the need for protection depending on whether there has been a history of local subterranean termite damage.

d. The jurisdiction shall fill in this part of the table with the wind speed from the basic wind speed map [Figure R301.2(4)A]. Wind exposure category shall be determined on a site-specific basis in accordance with Section R301.2.1.4

e. The outdoor design dry-bulb temperature shall be selected from the columns of 97-1/2 percent values for winter from Appendix D of the

Comments

McHenry County, Illinois, adopted the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC), with amendments. McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-052 (adoption and amendments).  

5.   R313 AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

      a.   Revise section R313 “AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS” to read as follows:

         R313.1 Townhouse automatic fire sprinkler systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required in townhouses.

         R313.1.1 Design and Installation. Where provided, automatic residential fire sprinkler systems for townhouses shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code and NFPA 13 D.

         R313.2 One- and two-family dwellings automatic fire systems. An automatic residential fire sprinkler system shall not be required in one- and two-family dwellings.

         R313.2.1 Design and installation. When provided, automatic residential fire sprinkler systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code and NFPA 13D.

         R313.3 Other Code Requirements. All structures built without automatic fire sprinkler systems shall comply with construction and separation requirements for non-sprinklered construction described in this code.

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

McHenry County, Illinois, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with amendments. McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-050 (adoption and amendments).

Commercial Building Code

McHenry County adopted the 2021 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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See Amlegal(McHenry County, IL Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Comments

McHenry County, Illinois, adopted the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), with amendments. McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-051 (adoption and amendments).

Existing Buildings

McHenry County, Illinois, adopted the 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), with amendments. McHenry County, IL, Ord. No. O-202211-10-050 (adoption and amendments).

Other Building Codes