Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Breese, Illinois

Breese’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Building codes inside Breese city

  • Adopts IBC, IMC, IFGC, IFC, NEC, IECC, IEBC, IRC, Illinois State Plumbing Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, IPMC
  • Local amendments in 6-5-10 and 6-5-11 refer to 2006 editions of the IEBC and IRC

  “The most recent versions of the following model codes hereinafter set forth are hereby adopted by reference and made a part of this City Code.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Breese city; city administers its own zoning code (Chapter 40) with Agricultural, R-1, R-2 and other districts

  “Use of any accessory structure as a dwelling is strictly prohibited throughout the zoning jurisdiction of Breese.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 Single-Family Residential District, principal building, inside Breese city

  • Also min width 75 ft and depth 100 ft

  minimum lot area: >= 11000 sq ft

  “(Applies to principal building.) (A) Minimum Lot Area: 11,000 sq. ft.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — R-2 General Residential District, principal building, inside Breese city

    “(Applies to principal building.) (A) Minimum Lot Area: 8,000 sq. ft.”

• Living in an RVProhibited

  RVs on lots inside Breese city

  • Zoning section does not apply to RVs in a permitted travel trailer park or RV sales lot
  • One RV per lot, only on a private road, driveway, garage or rear yard, subject to setbacks
  • Residing in an independent travel trailer allowed only in a state-licensed travel trailer park

  “No recreational vehicle shall be used as a dwelling.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes inside Breese city

  • Dependent manufactured homes only in a state-licensed travel trailer park
  • Manufactured homes outside parks must be immobilized and permanently fixed to the ground
  • Placement in a park needs written permission of City Council or Zoning Board per 23-1-10(C)

  “It shall be unlawful to locate a dependent manufactured home in the City unless placed in a state-licensed travel trailer park.”

• Accessory dwellingsProhibited

  Use of accessory structures as dwellings throughout Breese zoning jurisdiction

  • Source bans dwelling use of accessory structures; attached or other ADU forms not addressed in reviewed sections

  “Use of any accessory structure as a dwelling is strictly prohibited throughout the zoning jurisdiction of Breese.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private sewage disposal inside Breese city

  • Privies, septic tanks and cesspools are unlawful except as provided in the code
  • Where city sewer is not reasonably available a private aeration system conforming to Illinois law is required

  “Except as hereinafter provided, it shall be unlawful to construct or maintain any privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other facility intended or used for the disposal of sewage.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  Buildings where people live, work or assemble inside Breese city

  • Applies when nearest public sewer with available capacity is within 150 feet
  • Applies whether or not a private system exists or is more convenient
  • Otherwise a private aeration system meeting Illinois requirements is required
  • Water connection rule not found

  sewer reasonably accessible distance: <= 150 feet

  “Whenever the public sanitary sewerage system is reasonably accessible (that is, when the distance from the property in question to the nearest public sewer with available capacity does not exceed one hundred fifty (150) feet), all sewage shall be discharged into such system”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals inside Breese city

  • Registration and health-safety inspection at each change in tenancy, $80 fee
  • No ban found in reviewed sections

  “This Division applies to residential rental real estate, which includes Short Term rentals of less than one (1) year.”

• Permit feesPublished

  Building, electrical and plumbing permit fees inside Breese city

  • Multipliers: building 0.0015, electrical 0.0005, plumbing 0.0005
  • Minimum building permit $50 where new foundation; minimum electrical/plumbing $60
  • Extension $150 for 3 months; re-inspection $20
  • Solar/wind fees in 40-3-37

  minimum building permit: >= 50 USD (new foundation)

  “The formula for permit fee shall be as follows: Building Sq/Ft x Cost per Sq/Ft x Multiplier = Permit Fee”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Breese city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Breese city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Breese districts
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Breese city
• Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Breese city

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.