Move Checklist

Illinois mobile home move permit

IDOT issues oversize permits for state highways through its online ITAP system, and most are issued immediately. A single trip for a house trailer up to 16 feet wide costs $30 to $60 by distance, and moves over 14 feet 6 inches need an escort.

Sources read October 7, 2026. Each section links the pages it came from.

Who issues the permit

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) requires an oversize/overweight permit when a load exceeds legal size or weight on a highway the state is responsible for.

Permits are ordered online through IDOT's Illinois Transportation Automated Permit system (ITAP), and most are issued immediately.

IDOT's permit office in Springfield answers at (217) 785-1477, or (800) 252-8636 from an Illinois number outside the Springfield area.

IDOT permits cover state roads only. The mover must get permission from the city, township, county or toll authority before using their roads.

The OPER 993 permit provisions form must travel with the permit; electronic or printed copies are accepted.

Sources: Illinois DOT, Oversize and Overweight Permits; Illinois DOT, Oversize and Overweight Permits: Apply; Illinois DOT, Permit Type and Compliance

Fees

For house trailer combinations up to 16 feet wide and 15 feet high, IDOT's single trip or round trip fee is $30 (up to 90 miles), $40, $50, or $60 (over 270 miles).

For house trailer combinations up to 14 feet wide, the fee is $25 (up to 90 miles), $30, $35, or $40 (over 270 miles).

For house trailer combinations up to 12 feet wide, the fee is $15 (up to 90 miles), $20, $25, or $30 (over 270 miles).

Haulers can buy a limited continuous operation permit for legal weight manufactured housing up to 16 feet wide, 15 feet high and 115 feet long: $250 for 3 months or $1,000 for 12 months.

Sources: Illinois DOT, Table 1 Overdimension Fee Categories (rev. 1/16/2024); Illinois DOT, Limited Continuous Operation Permit Fees

Width and route limits

IDOT's fee table lists 16 feet wide, 15 feet high and 115 feet long as the maximum dimensions for house trailer combinations.

House trailer combinations get a width tolerance of up to 3 inches.

The width of a house trailer is measured including doorknobs, awnings and any other attachments.

Loads over 12 feet wide are barred from Cook County expressways, except on a few listed segments of I-80, I-55, I-57 and I-290.

Sources: Illinois DOT, Table 1 Overdimension Fee Categories (rev. 1/16/2024); Illinois DOT, OPER 993 Special Vehicle Movement Permit Provisions (rev. 08/07/24)

Escorts, lights and signs

One civilian escort is required for any move over 14 feet 6 inches wide.

Three civilian escorts are required for moves over 16 feet wide.

A house trailer over 8 feet and up to 10 feet wide needs at least a three quarter ton truck; over 10 and up to 12 feet (under 115 feet long), at least a one ton truck with dual wheels.

Homes over 12 feet wide need at least a two ton truck with dual wheels and may not move when wind gusts exceed 25 mph.

OVERSIZE LOAD signs are required front and rear for loads over 10 feet wide, 14 feet 6 inches high or 75 feet long.

Every permitted oversize load must show a working flashing or rotating amber light.

Source: Illinois DOT, OPER 993 Special Vehicle Movement Permit Provisions (rev. 08/07/24)

When the home can travel

Loads up to 12 feet wide, 13 feet 6 inches high and 200 feet long may move around the clock, 7 days a week, with one added civilian escort at night.

Loads up to 14 feet 6 inches wide and 15 feet high may move from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset, 7 days a week.

Loads up to 16 feet wide may move from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset Monday through Friday, and until noon on Saturday.

When IDOT adds special provision 9 to a permit, loads over 14 feet 6 inches and up to 16 feet wide may move only 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays in Cook, DuPage, Lake, Kane, Madison, McHenry, Monroe, St. Clair and Will counties.

Oversize loads face extra limits on certain holidays and holiday weekends, so check IDOT's holiday restrictions before booking a move date.

Source: Illinois DOT, OPER 993 Special Vehicle Movement Permit Provisions (rev. 08/07/24)

Who may move the home

Vehicles hauling loads over 10 feet wide, and their escort vehicles, must carry at least $500,000 per occurrence of combined bodily injury and property damage coverage, or be self insured.

The IDOT permit covers only the named permittee and cannot be transferred.

Before a mobile home subject to the local services tax is moved, the transporting company must get a permit from the county treasurer certifying the tax is paid.

Sources: Illinois DOT, OPER 993 Special Vehicle Movement Permit Provisions (rev. 08/07/24); Will County Treasurer, Mobile Home Statutory Requirements

Who may set up the home

Since December 31, 2001, every manufactured home must be installed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or by the homeowner. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) licenses installers.

An installer license costs $150 a year to issue or renew.

Applicants must be at least 18, complete an IDPH approved installer course and pass its exam (or a reciprocal state's course), and send a photo with the application.

A person installing a home on their own property outside a mobile home park does not need an installer license.

An owner using that exemption may not hire anyone to avoid the licensing requirement, and gives up the Act's protections by not using a licensed installer.

Homes set on a permanent foundation do not have to be installed by a licensed manufactured home installer.

IDPH publishes a Licensed Manufactured Home Installers Directory that can be exported as a CSV file.

Sources: Illinois Department of Public Health, Manufactured & Modular Homes/Mobile Structures; Illinois Department of Public Health, Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Act (430 ILCS 117); Illinois Department of Public Health, Manufactured Home Installation Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 870); Illinois Department of Public Health, Licensed Manufactured Home Installers Directory

Setup and anchoring

Homes must be installed to the manufacturer's instructions; when those are not available, IDPH's Manufactured Home Installation Code applies.

The owner of every home installed, or moved from one lot to another, since January 1, 1980 is responsible for making sure approved tiedown equipment is used to secure it.

Homes installed after July 1, 2005 must be tied down within 30 days of installation, following the code and the home and tiedown makers' instructions.

When a home that already carries an IDPH installation seal is relocated, the old seal is removed or covered with the new one.

The licensed installer completes the installation compliance certificate within 30 days after the installation.

When IDPH inspects an installation, the installer pays $395 per inspection.

Unless a local ordinance sets another depth, the minimum frost depth in the installation code is 35 inches.

Sources: Illinois Department of Public Health, Manufactured & Modular Homes/Mobile Structures; Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Mobile Home Tiedown Act (210 ILCS 120); Illinois Department of Public Health, Manufactured Home Installation Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 870); Illinois Department of Public Health, Manufactured Home Quality Assurance Act (430 ILCS 117)

Before you book

This page does not cover city and county road rules or the per home seal fee. Ask the local road authority about its own roads, and IDPH for the current seal fee.

Sources and dates

Common questions

How much is an Illinois permit to move a 16 foot wide mobile home?

For house trailer combinations up to 16 feet wide and 15 feet high, IDOT's single trip or round trip fee is $30 (up to 90 miles), $40, $50, or $60 (over 270 miles).

When does a mobile home move in Illinois need an escort?

One civilian escort is required for any move over 14 feet 6 inches wide.

Related

Move checklist State rules