Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Selby Township, Illinois

Rules another office applies inside Selby Township

Selby Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Building permitRequired

  New dwellings and accessory structures on unincorporated land inside Selby township

  • Permit is obtained before construction begins.
  • Sheds of 144 square feet or more, garages, decks, gazebos and other accessory structures also need a permit, per the FAQ list.
  • Re-roofing, window replacement and siding replacement generally do not need a permit.

  “generally, any new construction requires a building permit which must be obtained prior to beginning construction.”

• Building code adoptedNot adopted

  Building code adoption for new homes on unincorporated land inside Selby township

  • Incorporated villages with their own building codes are outside this claim.
  • Commercial buildings are subject to a separate state inspection requirement under 20 ILCS 3105/10.09-1, cited on the same county page but not opened here.

  “bureau county has not adopted a building code.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Completion of new construction on unincorporated land inside Selby township

  • Occupancy certificate is issued by the county planning and zoning department after the final zoning compliance inspection.

  “a final inspection upon completion of the project for issuance of an occupancy certificate.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts of the Bureau County Zoning Ordinance, applicable to unincorporated land in Selby township

  • Applies to unincorporated Selby township land; incorporated villages with their own zoning ordinance (for example Seatonville or DePue) follow their own districts.
  • The county index lists Article III district sections (agricultural, resort-recreational RR, rural estate RE, single family R-1, R-2, R-3, business B-1 and B-3, limited manufacturing M-1, general manufacturing M-2); the section text itself was not opened.

  “please follow each link below to view, download or print the selected section of the current bureau county zoning ordinance.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Agricultural-zoned parcels in unincorporated Selby township, per the county's agricultural zoning setback requirements

  • Stated on the county's farm-dwelling separation page as setbacks that 'should be met' when a farm dwelling is split from a larger parcel; the full Article III agricultural section was not opened, so other setback rules for the agricultural district are not confirmed.
  • Applies to unincorporated land only.

  front setback from road right-of-way: >= 50 feet · side and rear setback from property lines: >= 30 feet

  “bureau county agricultural zoning setback requirements should be met (minimum of fifty (50) feet from the right-of-way of any road and thirty (30) feet from side and rear property lines.”

• Who permits septicLocal

  Private sewage (septic) evaluations and permits for land inside Selby township

  • Applies to residences on private septic systems, including any unincorporated Selby township parcel.
  • The FAQ routes septic questions to the Bureau County Health Department; the health department's own septic code and fees were not opened.

  “please contact the bureau county health department for evaluations, permits, questions and concerns with wells and septic systems located in bureau county.”

• Permit processPartial

  Zoning permit and inspection process for new construction on unincorporated land inside Selby township

  • The FAQ describes the site-stake and inspection steps; the formal application forms and fee schedule were not opened.
  • Septic and well permits are handled by the health department, outside the zoning process.

  “place stakes or other visible markings (such as paint) where your proposed building or structure will be located, have all lot / property lines clearly marked.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Selby Township or Bureau County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits or inspections on unincorporated land inside Selby township
• Local zoning — Whether Selby township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance for land inside Selby township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area for land in the agricultural district in unincorporated Selby township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area in the agricultural district in unincorporated Selby township
• Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage in the agricultural district in unincorporated Selby township

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.