Bolthole Index

Cass County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Virginia, Illinois

Virginia, Illinois requires a city building permit before constructing a building, and demolition or removal also requires a building permit.1 Virginia has its own zoning districts, while Cass County Health Department handles septic permits inside the city.234 Newly constructed or altered structures and new, changed or expanded uses require a city certificate of occupancy before use.5

At a glance

Building permits
City building permit required for construction, demolition or removal1
Zoning
City zoning includes single-family and multi-family residential districts2
Septic permits
Cass County Health Department; public sewer availability may prevent septic approval34
Occupancy approval
City certificate required before new or changed uses begin5
Unserved single-family lots
At least 100 feet wide and 20,000 square feet where neither public water nor public sewer is available6
Owner-installed septic
Allowed for the homeowner’s personal residence, with a permit and written inspection approval before covering or use78
Private wells
State permit required before construction, deepening, modification or sealing; confirm local administration with the health department9

Who to call

Building permits

Virginia City Hall

Contact for City Hall building-permit forms and referral to the city Zoning Enforcement Officer

217-452-7786

[email protected]

153 S Front St., Virginia IL 62691

Septic permits

Cass County Health Department

Septic permits and inspections inside Virginia; contact to confirm local water-well permit administration

(217) 452-3057

331 South Main Virginia, IL 62691

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Virginia means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Virginia, IL?

Virginia requires the owner or builder to obtain a city building permit before constructing any building.1 Removing or demolishing a building or structure also requires a city building permit.1 Virginia has adopted building codes, with copies on file in the City Clerk’s office.10

Illinois statewide building-code baseline requirements took effect in 2025, and locally adopted residential codes must meet minimum structural requirements of the International Residential Code.11 Ask the city Zoning Enforcement Officer which code editions and inspection stages apply to your proposed work before commissioning plans; we could not confirm a general city construction-inspection schedule.

Who issues building permits in Virginia, and how do you apply?

Virginia building-permit applications must be in writing, filed with the city Zoning Enforcement Officer, using forms available at City Hall.12 Contact Virginia City Hall at 217-452-7786 or [email protected] to request the forms and the current officer’s contact details.13 The city website also says the Zoning Board meets as needed at City Hall.13

Keep occupancy approval on your application checklist: Virginia prohibits using a newly constructed or altered structure, or beginning a new, changed or expanded premises use, until the Zoning Enforcement Officer issues a certificate of occupancy.5 Ask the officer for the current building-permit fee schedule and required submission materials.

Does Virginia have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Virginia’s zoning code identifies single-family residential districts and a two-family and multi-family residential district.2 Ask the city Zoning Enforcement Officer to identify your parcel’s district and permitted use before choosing a house design.

For single-family lots in any Virginia district where neither public water nor public sewer is available, minimum lot width is 100 feet and minimum area is 20,000 square feet.6 Lots without public sewer must also be sufficient for an on-site sewage disposal system.6 The unserved-lot rule therefore does not replace septic approval from Cass County Health Department.64 We could not confirm district-specific setbacks, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage or height limits; request those measurements from the city officer.

How do septic permits work inside Virginia?

Cass County Health Department handles private sewage disposal permitting inside Virginia, and constructing, altering or extending an individual system requires a health-department permit.34 The Board of Health may refuse a septic permit where public or community sewerage is available, so establish sewer availability before paying for a septic design.4

Illinois requires sewage-system plan approval before construction and notice to the responsible department or local authority at least 48 hours before work begins.14 A homeowner may install or service a system serving the homeowner’s personal residence, but a valid permit remains required.7 A homeowner-installed system cannot be covered or operated until the Health Department inspects it and issues written approval.8

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Virginia?

We could not confirm Virginia’s permission for living in an RV, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy or an accessory dwelling on a private lot. Ask the city Zoning Enforcement Officer about the exact proposed use, including whether you intend to stay during construction, before buying an RV or ordering a tiny home.

Virginia’s occupancy-certificate rule reaches new, changed and expanded uses even when no structure is constructed or altered.5 A proposal without building work therefore still needs scrutiny under the city’s use-approval rule.5 Virginia’s site restrictions prohibit open wells, privies and cesspools; do not plan a privy as your sanitation solution.6 Ask Cass County Health Department to review the proposed sewage system separately.

Building a home in Virginia: what are the steps, in order?

  1. Ask Virginia’s Zoning Enforcement Officer to confirm the parcel’s district, allowed use and dimensional requirements; the city publishes residential zoning districts.2
  2. Establish sewer availability and, if septic is proposed, obtain Cass County Health Department’s septic permit and the required plan approval before construction.414
  3. Obtain City Hall’s building-permit forms, submit the written application to the city officer and secure the city building permit before construction.121
  4. Ask the city officer for construction-inspection scheduling; obtain written health-department inspection approval before covering or using a homeowner-installed septic system.8
  5. Notify the city officer in writing when the new use is ready to begin and obtain the certificate of occupancy before use.5

What should you check before buying land in Virginia?

Virginia lots must abut a public thoroughfare with at least 30 feet of frontage; qualifying pre-existing lots without public-street frontage need an access easement or right-of-way at least 20 feet wide.15 Verify frontage and recorded access before treating a vacant parcel as a building site. A driveway connecting to an Illinois state highway requires an IDOT permit before work begins.16

Illinois requires a permit from IDPH or an approved local health department before constructing, deepening, modifying or sealing a private well; ask Cass County Health Department who administers your application.9 For property outside Virginia city limits, use the Cass County guide for the county’s building-permit and zoning requirements in unincorporated areas.1718

Watch-outs

  • Public or community sewer availability can prevent approval of a private septic system inside Virginia.4
  • Virginia requires occupancy approval for changed or expanded premises uses even without construction.5
  • Virginia has city residential zoning districts.2 We could not confirm RV occupancy, tiny-home permission or district-specific setbacks; ask the city Zoning Enforcement Officer before committing to a parcel or design.
  • The Illinois owner-occupant plumbing exemption is limited to qualifying single-family plumbing work and does not create a general exemption from building permits.19

Sources

  1. 4-1-2: Building Permits (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 6: Residential Districts (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  3. casscountyil.gov (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  4. Cass County Zoning Ordinance 2023 (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  5. 6-3-3: Certificate of Occupancy (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  6. 6-4-3: Site Restrictions (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  7. Cass County Zoning Ordinance 2023 (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  8. casscountyil.gov (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  9. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. 4-1-1: Building Codes Adopted (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building Codes and Regulations (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. 4-1-2: Building Permits (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  13. Virginia City Hall (virginiaillinois.net)
  14. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. codelibrary.amlegal.com (Virginia), quoted and re-checked
  16. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Zoning - Cass County Illinois (2026 county census)
  18. Zoning - Cass County Illinois (2026 county census)
  19. HB5913 Enrolled — Illinois Plumbing License Law amendment (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Virginia

Virginia’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction of any building in Virginia city; demolition or removal of any building or structure also requires a permit.

    • Applications must be made in writing and filed with the Zoning Enforcement Officer on forms available at City Hall.
    “No building of any kind may be constructed in the City unless the owner or builder first obtains a building permit from the City.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A homeowner installing or servicing a private sewage disposal system serving the homeowner's personal residence inside Virginia city, under the Cass County septic rules.

    • The county ordinance still requires a valid permit.
    • The exemption is limited to the homeowner's own personal residence.
    “All private sewage disposal systems within the limits of Cass County shall be installed and/or serviced by Illinois licensed private sewage disposal system contractors; provided however, that a home owner may install and/or service a private sewage disposal system which serves his own personal residence.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Buildings and structures inside Virginia city.

    • The city code adopts the listed editions, including the 2006 International Building, Energy Conservation, Fire, Fuel Gas, Mechanical, Plumbing, and Residential Codes; the 2015 International Property Maintenance Code; the 2006 Life Safety Code; and the 2002 National Electrical Code.
    • Copies are on file in the City Clerk's office.
    “The following codes, published by the International Code Council, Inc., are hereby adopted as the Building Codes of the City for the control of buildings and structures as herein provided;”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use of newly constructed or altered structures and new, changed, or expanded premises uses inside Virginia city.

    • The applicant must notify the zoning enforcement officer in writing when ready to commence.
    • The officer inspects and issues or refuses the certificate within five days after the new use is ready to commence.
    • A certificate is refused when the structure or use fails to conform.

    issuance or refusal deadline: 5 days (after the date on which the new use is ready to commence)

    “It shall be unlawful to use any newly constructed or altered structure or to change or expand the use of any premises, even though no structure was constructed or altered, until the zoning enforcement officer has issued a certificate of occupancy authorizing such use.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Virginia city's zoning districts as published in Title 6.

    • The reviewed official code chapter lists R-1 and R-2 single-family residential districts and an R-3 two-family and multi-family residential district.
    “6-6-2 : R-1 And R-2 Single-Family Residential Districts”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Single-family lots in any Virginia city zoning district where neither public water service nor public sewerage service is available.

    • The rule applies only where neither public water nor public sewer is available.
    • The city code separately requires lots in districts without public sewer to be sufficient for an on-site sewage disposal system.
    • Open wells, privies, and cesspools are prohibited under the cited subsection.

    minimum lot width: >= 100 feet · minimum lot area: >= 20000 square feet

    “In any district where neither a public water service or public sewerage service is available, the width and area for single-family lots shall be no less than one hundred feet (100') and no less than twenty thousand (20,000) square feet, respectively 1 .”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Lots and access routes inside Virginia city.

    • All lots must abut a public thoroughfare with at least 30 feet of frontage.
    • Pre-existing lots without frontage require an easement or right-of-way at least 20 feet wide.
    • No more than one lot may be served by that access route.
    • Commercial, industrial, or recreational uses may not be accessed through residential areas.

    minimum public-thoroughfare frontage: >= 30 feet · minimum access easement width for qualifying pre-existing lots: >= 20 feet (lots of record created before the effective date without public-street frontage)

    “Any lot of record created prior to the effective date hereof without any frontage on a public street or way shall not be occupied unless access to a street be provided by an easement or other right of way no less than twenty feet (20') in width.”
  • Permit processPartial

    City building-permit applications inside Virginia city.

    • Applications must be made in writing.
    • Applications are filed with the Zoning Enforcement Officer.
    • Forms are available at City Hall.
    “Applications for said permits shall be made in writing and filed with the Zoning Enforcement Officer on forms available at City Hall.”

Rules another office applies inside Virginia

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

  • Who permits septicCounty

    Private sewage disposal systems serving property inside Virginia city.

    • The Cass County Health Department is the identified county health authority; the county ordinance assigns permit and inspection functions to the Board of Health or its authorized representative.
    “HEALTH DEPARTMENT shall mean the Cass County Health Department, an agency of the Cass County Board of Health.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, or extension of an individual sewage disposal system inside Virginia city.

    • The permit must be issued by the Health Department.
    • The permit identifies the person for whom the specific work is proposed and the maximum permissible waste loading.
    • The Board of Health may refuse a permit where public or community sewerage is available.
    “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend individual sewage disposal systems within Cass County unless he holds a valid permit issued by the Health Department stating the name of such person for which the specific construction, alteration, or extension is proposed.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Individual sewage disposal systems inside Virginia city.

    • A homeowner-installed system for a personal residence may not be covered or placed in operation until inspected and written approval is issued by the Health Department.
    • The Board of Health or its authorized representative may conduct additional compliance inspections.
    “An individual sewage disposal system which has been installed by a homeowner for his personal residence shall not be covered or placed in operation until the said installation shall have been inspected and written approval of the said system shall have been issued by the Health Department.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Virginia or Cass County directly.

  • Inspections — General building inspections for construction inside Virginia city.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Virginia city's residential districts.
  • Setbacks — Setbacks for buildings inside Virginia city.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Virginia city.
  • Building height — Building height inside Virginia city.
9 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Virginia publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Cass County’s page lists the county offices to call.

← All of Cass County: county rules, score and offices