On top of the Illinois transfer tax ($0.50 per $500, paid by the seller) and the county tax ($0.25 per $500 in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Will, Kane and McHenry), many municipalities charge their own transfer tax and set their own requirements before they'll issue transfer stamps. Some require an inspection weeks before closing, so sellers should check early.

Find your town

Municipal transfer taxes and pre-sale requirements, reviewed October 2026
Municipality	Municipal transfer tax	Before closing
ChicagoCook County	$3.75 per $500 paid by the buyer, plus $1.50 per $500 (CTA portion) paid by the seller	Water/sewer Full Payment Certificate before city stamps issue (allow up to 10 business days) Zoning certificate for single-family, two-flat and small multi-unit buildings (5 units or fewer); not required for condos No point-of-sale home inspection Source
EvanstonCook County	$5 per $1,000 up to $1.5M; $7 per $1,000 from $1.5M to $5M; $9 per $1,000 above $5M; customarily paid by the seller	Final water bill near closing (not for condos) Submit the declaration 7–10 business days before closing; the City needs 5 business days No point-of-sale inspection Source
Oak ParkCook County	$8 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Water Billing certification that water/sewer is paid in full Inspection for buildings with 4 or more units Source
SkokieCook County	$3 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Village transfer declaration; water bill and Village debts paid Inspection at sale for rented (non-owner-occupied) properties Source
Park RidgeCook County	$2 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Photo of the water meter for a final reading; final water bill paid Inspection requirements vary by source; confirm with the City early Source
Des PlainesCook County	$2 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Stamp application 5 business days before closing Final meter reading 2–3 business days before closing Inspection for non-owner-occupied homes (rented or foreclosed) Source
Arlington HeightsCook County	None	Final water reading and bill paid Source
SchaumburgCook County	$1 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Final water bill paid; Village declaration No inspection Source
PalatineCook County	None (part of Palatine falls under Rolling Meadows, which has a tax)	Final water bill and Village debts paid No inspection Source
WilmetteCook County	$3 per $1,000, paid by the buyer	Final water bill and Village invoices paid No inspection Source
WinnetkaCook County	None	Final water reading; Village water and electric bills paid Source
GlenviewCook County	None	Final water reading 7–10 business days before closing Source
NorthbrookCook County	None	Final water reading within a week of closing Source
Highland ParkLake County	$5 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Final water bill paid; deed, PTAX and notarized disclosure statement No inspection Source
Lake ForestLake County	$4 per $1,000, paid by the buyer	City sewer-connection inspection for single-family homes Final water reading; notify the City once the closing date is set Source
WaukeganLake County	None	Zoning certificate with a basic code and life-safety inspection for every transfer City closing letter listing fees owed Apply when listing, at least 30 days before closing Source
NapervilleDuPage/Will County	$1.50 per $500, paid by the buyer	Statement of open accounts at least 7 business days before closing Stamp review takes about 3 business days Source
AuroraKane/DuPage/Will County	$3 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Final water reading at least 5 days before transfer Statement of open accounts at least 5 business days before closing Source
WheatonDuPage County	$2.50 per $1,000, paid by the buyer	Final water reading; utility bills and fines paid Source
Downers GroveDuPage County	None	Final water reading and bill paid Source
ElmhurstDuPage County	$1.50 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Sump pump inspection for all properties; schedule at least 2 weeks before closing Declaration at least 72 hours before payment; final water reading on closing day Source
HinsdaleDuPage/Cook County	None	Final water reading and bill paid Source
BerwynCook County	$10 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Certificate of compliance inspection before listing or contracting Final water reading and City debts paid (certified funds) Source
CiceroCook County	$10 per $1,000, customarily paid by the seller	Certificate of compliance inspection; schedule at least 30 days before closing As-is sales possible with a repair agreement Final water bill and Town debts paid Source
Forest ParkCook County	No tax, but a compliance stamp is required to record	Certificate of compliance from an inspection within 4 months of the contract Final water reading: call at least 5 business days before closing Source
River ForestCook County	$1 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Zoning inspection for all properties Water/sewer application; Village debts paid; 5 business days' notice Source
MaywoodCook County	$4 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Certificate of compliance inspection Final water reading; stamps can take up to 72 hours Source
BellwoodCook County	$5 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Pre-transfer home inspection and public sidewalk inspection Final water reading Source
HarveyCook County	$5 per $1,000, split between buyer and seller by code, plus an administrative fee	Pre-transfer inspection Water verification (request 72 hours before closing) Source
Orland ParkCook/Will County	None	Final water reading and bill paid No inspection Source
Oak LawnCook County	$5 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Sewer (I&I) inspection for single-family homes and qualifying townhomes; schedule well ahead Water bill paid Source
Evergreen ParkCook County	$5 per $1,000 ($100 minimum), paid by the seller	Housing inspection before stamps issue Final water reading; water and sewer paid Source
JolietWill County	$3 per $1,000, paid by the seller	Water/lien letter at least 4 business days before closing No inspection Source
BolingbrookWill/DuPage County	$3.75 per $500, split equally between buyer and seller	Clearance letter of Village debts (valid 5 business days) Final meter reading; no inspection Source
ElginKane/Cook County	No tax, but a no-charge transfer stamp is required	Final water reading; amounts owed paid Inspection only for vacant properties or open violations Source

Before you rely on this table

Municipal ordinances change, fees are set by each town, and some requirements depend on the property type or whether it's owner-occupied. This table was reviewed in October 2026 from municipal websites and codes and title-industry charts. Your attorney confirms the current requirements for your property when you list or go under contract.

By Attorney Shara Kamal. General information for Chicago-area readers; not legal advice for a specific situation.