Basement Finishing in Roscoe, IL
Updated
Roscoe in short
- 4,202
- households in Roscoe
- 2001
- median year built (county 1971)
- 9.1%
- of homes built before 1980 (county 63.4%)
- 71.2%
- own their home (county 65.9%)
The local numbers
How old the homes are in Roscoe
Roscoe has more new housing than the county as a whole. 52.6% of its 4,312 homes were built in 2000 or later, against 13.6% county-wide, for a median year built of 2001. Only one of the 13 Winnebago County communities has a higher share of homes built since 2000. Only 9.1% predate 1980 (county: 63.4%), so the permit and code rules below matter more here than the age of the foundation.
Of 4,202 households in Roscoe, 71.2% own their home. The county figure is 65.9%. 66.9% of housing units are single-family detached houses (county: 70.4%), and 3.5% are mobile or manufactured homes.
Permits here run through the Winnebago County Building Division, not a city or village desk. It is at 404 Elm Street, Room 403, Rockford, (815) 319-4350. Its posted schedule values a finished basement at a set rate per square foot and charges a processing fee per trade; the schedule is undated, so confirm any dollar figure with the office. The county's codes page lists the 2015 International Residential Code, so confirm the edition with the Building Division.
Radon belongs on the checklist. IEMA says to retest if renovations or additions are made, and that homes with elevated levels have been found throughout the state. In Roscoe, with 4,312 homes, that includes a basement you have just closed in with drywall.
Roscoe is one of the few places here with a local registration rule: Village code Chapter 110 says "General contractors and construction managers shall be required to register with the village." We did not retrieve the registration terms (fee, insurance).
Roscoe housing and households vs Winnebago County
| Measure | Roscoe | Winnebago County |
|---|---|---|
| Residents | 10,706 | 283,292 |
| Housing units | 4,312 | 125,002 |
| Occupied (households) | 4,202 | 116,014 |
| Owner-occupied households | 2,991 (71.2%) | 76,408 (65.9%) |
| Renter households | 1,211 (28.8%) | 39,606 (34.1%) |
| Median year built | 2001 | 1971 |
| Built before 1940 | 1.2% | 15.5% |
| Built before 1960 | 3.2% | 35.5% |
| Built before 1980 | 9.1% | 63.4% |
| Built 2000 or later | 52.6% | 13.6% |
| Single-family detached | 66.9% | 70.4% |
| Mobile homes | 3.5% | 1.3% |
| In buildings of 5+ units | 2.9% | 11.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year (2020-2024), tables B01003, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035 and B25038.
Local rules
Permits, codes and egress in Roscoe
- Permit office
- The Village of Roscoe, Village Hall, 10631 Main Street, (815) 623-2829, permits@roscoeil.gov, issues zoning permits ("Alteration or addition" is on its list) and tells residents to contact Winnebago County Planning and Zoning at 815-319-4350 for building permits. The County Building Division lists the Village of Roscoe among the municipalities it serves. The village says zoning permit review takes "up to two (2) weeks" during peak construction season. Whether an interior basement finish needs the zoning permit is not stated, so ask when you call. source 1 source 2 source 3
- Code edition
- Roscoe's building permit and inspections come from the County Building Division, so the county's codes list applies: the codes page (last modified February 20, 2025) says the division follows the 2015 International Residential Code. That listing looks old next to the statewide baseline that began January 1, 2025, so confirm the edition with the Building Division. source 1 source 2
- Contractor rules
- Village code Chapter 110 says "General contractors and construction managers shall be required to register with the village." We did not retrieve the registration terms (fee, insurance). source
- Also worth knowing
- The Winnebago County Health Department sells radon test kits (call 815-720-4100; the price includes return postage and certified lab analysis) and says kits are also sold at many local hardware and building stores. It also verifies that proposed additions, garages, pools and decks will not adversely affect an existing well or septic system. We found no Health Department rule specific to finishing a basement. source 1 source 2
About Roscoe. Roscoe is a village on the Rock River with 10,983 residents at the 2020 census. Wikipedia
ZIP codes. 61073 (93% of its land), 61080 (6% of its land), 61072 (1% of its land). Census 2020
Full pricing, the complete service menu, and the rest of the service area are on the basement finishing in Rockford, IL homepage.
Basement work
Basement jobs homeowners ask about in Roscoe
Common questions
Roscoe basement finishing questions
Who issues basement finishing permits in Roscoe?
The Village of Roscoe, Village Hall, 10631 Main Street, (815) 623-2829, permits@roscoeil.gov, issues zoning permits ("Alteration or addition" is on its list) and tells residents to contact Winnebago County Planning and Zoning at 815-319-4350 for building permits. The County Building Division lists the Village of Roscoe among the municipalities it serves.
What building code applies to a basement in Roscoe?
Roscoe's building permit and inspections come from the County Building Division, so the county's codes list applies: the codes page (last modified February 20, 2025) says the division follows the 2015 International Residential Code. That listing looks old next to the statewide baseline that began January 1, 2025, so confirm the edition with the Building Division.
Does a basement bedroom in Roscoe need an egress window?
Every basement and every sleeping room needs at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. A finished basement bedroom needs its own. Net clear opening of at least 5.7 square feet, or 5 square feet for a grade floor or below-grade opening, at least 24 inches high and 20 inches wide, with the sill no more than 44 inches above the floor. These are the model 2021 IRC numbers as reproduced by a state building agency fact sheet; a city or county amendment could change them, so confirm with the permit office.
How old are the homes in Roscoe?
Per the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, the median home in Roscoe was built in 2001 (Winnebago County: 1971). 1.2% of its 4,312 homes were built before 1940 and 9.1% before 1980, against 63.4% county-wide.
What does finishing a basement cost in Roscoe?
No cost guide publishes a Rockford figure. HomeGuide's national guide puts a finish at $30 to $50 per sq ft, Angi's Chicago page $55 to $145 per sq ft, and Angi's national average is $32,000. The full price table shows each source and its date.
Do basement contractors have to be licensed or registered in Roscoe?
Village code Chapter 110 says "General contractors and construction managers shall be required to register with the village." We did not retrieve the registration terms (fee, insurance).
Planning a basement finish in Roscoe?
Tell us the address, the rough basement size and what you want down there. We reply with a price before any work is scheduled.