Kane adopts new building codes for unincorporated areas, 3 villages

GENEVA – New building codes will take effect this month for all unincorporated areas of Kane County and the villages of Big Rock, Kaneville and Virgil, as Kane County provides building permit administration, plan review and inspection services for the unincorporated areas and these three villages, according to a news release.

The Kane County Board approved the new codes in November, adopting the 2021 editions of the International Code Council Codes effective Jan. 1, 2022 for all building permit applications received on or after that date.

Kane County Building Officer Mark VanKerkhoff noted that while there are many small changes to the building codes, one interesting change is that lockable safety pool covers may be used to satisfy the barrier requirements – typically a fence and door alarms – for in ground swimming pools.

Board Member John Martin, R-Geneva, chairman of the Development Committee, stated in the release that the new codes will help to protect residents and benefit builders by ensuring its building regulations are aligned with other local communities and those used throughout the nation.

“These new codes will benefit our residents in unincorporated Kane County and the villages of Big Rock, Kaneville and Virgil, by ensuring that minimum requirements are met for safe buildings which also may positively affect insurance rates for residents,” Martin stated in the release. “In addition, it will benefit the builders by adopting the same codes as other communities and also benefit staff with professional support from the International Code Council.”

The Insurance Services Office rates counties and cities on the thoroughness of plan reviews and inspections as well as the current status of their adopted building codes.

Every five years, all cities and counties undergo a review titled the Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule. Each local building department is rated upon factors including current editions of codes adopted, staffing levels and qualifications, thoroughness of plan review and inspections and training and experience of inspectors.

Adopting updated codes helps communities maintain or improve their BCEGS classification, which some insurance providers use to give residents and businesses credits to lower insurance premiums, the release stated.

Updated codes taking effect Jan. 1, 2022 are:

• 2021 International Residential Code

• 2021 International Building Code

• 2021 International Existing Building Code

• 2021 International Mechanical Code

• 2020 version of the National Electric Code

For questions, comments or additional information, email KaneBuildingDeptPermits@co.kane.il.us.