Ramps in Illinois: local code officials, renters and door help

An Illinois family planning a wheelchair ramp usually starts by searching for "the state rule." It is a reasonable instinct, and in Illinois it leads somewhere unexpected: for an existing single-family house, the state has not adopted a building code for that kind of work at all.

That shifts the important questions to your city, village or county, and, if you rent, to the Illinois Human Rights Act. Here is what the state's own agencies say.

Illinois puts home ramp decisions in local hands

The Capital Development Board (CDB) is the state agency that publishes Illinois's building code information, and its Illinois Codes FAQ is direct. The Illinois Residential Building Code Act "only applies to new residential construction," and "Residential repairs may be regulated by local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)." On existing houses, CDB adds: "The State has not adopted a building code for repairs to existing single family residences."

The board also explains who decides. "The local code official is the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) on privately funded projects," and the state does not perform plan reviews, issue building permits or inspect privately funded construction: "If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government." For new homes, CDB notes there are different requirements for jurisdictions that have adopted compliant building codes and for non-building code jurisdictions, but "in either case the adopted code must meet the minimum structural requirements of the IRC."

So for a ramp at an existing house, whether you need a permit, what slope and landings the local code expects and whether an inspection follows are all set by your local government. CDB says the AHJ is "typically the municipality or county closest to the project site," and it also notes that "Residential projects do not typically require a licensed design professional, but one may be utilized." We found no statewide homeowner exemption to cite, so ask before you build.

The state's accessibility rules have a narrower target. CDB explains that the Illinois Environmental Barriers Act requires "certain newly-constructed or renovated buildings" to comply with accessibility standards "known as the Illinois Accessibility Code" (CDB, Illinois Accessibility Code). For housing, the code's FAQ describes multi-story housing as "any building of four or more stories containing ten or more dwelling units constructed to be held out for sale or lease by any person to the public" (IAC FAQs). A ramp at a church, clinic or shop is a different project from a ramp at a house.

Renters in Illinois

The Illinois Department of Human Rights explains that "A reasonable modification is a structural change to the unit or common area so that the person can enjoy full access and use the premises," and that "The general rule is the resident pays for the modification" (IDHR guide, section 6). IDHR's own example is a tenant renting a single-family home who adds a ramp at the front door and is responsible for maintaining it. A ramp to a building's shared entrance is maintained by the housing provider if it normally maintains that common area.

Freeze, thaw and heavy rain on an Illinois ramp

NOAA's Illinois State Climate Summary describes "a dramatic increase in the number of 2-inch extreme precipitation events," and notes that warming in Illinois has been concentrated in winter and spring. Snowfall averages more than 40 inches in the northeast and less than 10 inches in the far south, and the Chicago area occasionally receives heavy lake-effect snow.

A ramp in Illinois has to handle downpours and ice in the same year. Look for a surface with grip when wet, a landing that drains instead of holding water, and room along the edges to push snow off the whole run. Handrails that can be gripped with gloves on help in January.

Door and threshold products for Illinois entries

• Churches, offices and shared entries: Open Sesame built the Model 233 Commercial Automatic Door Opener for light commercial use, including school and restroom doors, lobbies and storefronts. It opens up to 120 degrees, holds for an adjustable 5 to 30 seconds and runs on an internal battery if the power goes out.
• Voice control at home: the Open Sesame Voice Interface connects an Open Sesame operator to Wi-Fi and Amazon Alexa; Open Sesame says it works with existing units on the 433 MHz frequency.
• A fixed button by the door: the Wireless Wall Touch Pad (FT) mounts on the wall, needs no cable to the operator and uses a 3V CR123 battery.
• A raised sill: the Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp covers thresholds up to 4 in, with a 36 in usable width and an 850 lb capacity, in non-slip rubber with beveled sides.

For a full ramp to a porch, the ramp fit check collects rise, turns and landing details for a quote.

Illinois assistive technology resources

The Illinois Assistive Technology Program (IATP), a nonprofit serving Illinois since 1989, offers device loans, demonstrations, reuse and other state financing according to the AT3 Center. Device loans are free for six weeks with the borrower paying only return shipping, and demonstrations are free to all Illinois residents.

Delivery and setup in Illinois

We work with a team of credentialed local specialists to guarantee timely, safe, and optimal delivery and installation. We ship to the lower 48 states and DC, with free shipping on orders over $500 ($15 under $500), and we cover the sales tax on every order. Most products are processed in 2-5 business days; some brands differ. Details are on the Illinois shipping page.

Questions about ramps in Illinois

Does Illinois have a state permit for home wheelchair ramps?

No state permit applies to privately funded work on an existing house. The Capital Development Board says the state has not adopted a building code for repairs to existing single-family residences, does not issue permits for privately funded projects, and that the local code official is the authority having jurisdiction. Ask your city, village or county.

Who pays for a ramp at a rental home in Illinois?

The Illinois Department of Human Rights says the general rule is that the resident pays for a reasonable modification. In IDHR's example, a tenant renting a single-family home who installs a ramp at the front door maintains it. When a ramp serves a common area the housing provider normally maintains, the provider maintains the ramp.

Does the Illinois Accessibility Code apply to my house?

The Illinois Accessibility Code comes from the Environmental Barriers Act and covers certain newly constructed or renovated buildings. Its housing coverage, as CDB describes it, includes multi-story housing of four or more stories with ten or more units offered to the public. For your own ramp, follow whatever code your local government has adopted.

How do I keep an Illinois ramp safe in winter and heavy rain?

NOAA reports a dramatic increase in 2-inch rain events in Illinois and more than 40 inches of average snowfall in the northeast. Choose a slip-resistant surface, make sure landings drain, leave room to clear snow off the full length, and add an automatic door opener so the time spent at the door is short.

Shop the ramps and door openers collection, use the ramp fit check, or start the full assessment. Questions? Email us at info@faithmobility.com.

Sources

• Capital Development Board, Illinois Codes FAQ
• Capital Development Board, Illinois Accessibility Code
• Capital Development Board, Illinois Accessibility Code FAQs
• Illinois Department of Human Rights, reasonable modifications guide: associated costs
• NOAA NCEI State Climate Summaries: Illinois (2022)
• Illinois Assistive Technology Program
• AT3 Center: Illinois
• Open Sesame Commercial Automatic Door Opener (Faith Mobility product page)
• Open Sesame Voice Interface (Faith Mobility product page)
• Open Sesame Wireless Wall Touch Pad (FT) (Faith Mobility product page)
• Harmar Rubber Threshold Ramp (Faith Mobility product page)