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

Rules another office applies inside Paradise Township

Paradise 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 permitNot required

  New construction on parcels in Paradise township outside the zoning jurisdictions of Mattoon, Charleston, Oakland, Lerna, Humboldt and Ashmore (county statement)

  • The statement covers building permits pertaining to zoning or permitting by the county; it does not waive the county health department's private sewage permit or the state well permit.
  • The county page says all developments must still conform to state and federal laws.

  “Thus, Coles County does not require building permits, engineering reports, property specifications, and other documents pertaining to zoning or permitting.”

• Local zoningAbsent

  Land inside Paradise township (Coles County, IL) outside the zoning jurisdictions of Mattoon, Charleston, Oakland, Lerna, Humboldt and Ashmore: no Coles County zoning applies. This is the county's statement, not a township ordinance.

  • No zoning ordinance adopted by Paradise township was located, and no official township statement on zoning was located. Township-level zoning is therefore unverified.
  • Parcels inside a listed municipality's zoning jurisdiction are not covered by this statement; whether any part of Paradise township lies in those jurisdictions was not checked.
  • The county page says state and federal laws and legislation still apply.

  “Please be advised that there is no Coles County zoning pertaining to any parcel located outside the zoning jurisdictions of the municipalities of Mattoon, Charleston, Oakland, Lerna, Humboldt, and Ashmore.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems in Paradise township, administered by the Coles County Health Department (Environmental Health Division, 825 Eighteenth Street, Charleston)

  • The Coles County document describes the county's Private Sewage Disposal System Ordinance and says the health department issues the permits.
  • The county document says the Illinois private sewage disposal code requires an adequate site evaluation before an application is submitted.

  “Sewage permits for new private sewage disposal systems and Repairs to private sewage disposal systems”

• Well permitRequired

  Constructing, deepening, modifying or sealing a private water well in Paradise township (state rule; permit issued by IDPH or an approved local health department)

  • The state Water Well Construction Act requires a permit for water wells other than community public water systems and monitoring wells.
  • Statute caps the one-time permit fee at $100.
  • New private wells may not be located within 200 feet of listed potential contamination sources.
  • Whether the Coles County Health Department issues well permits as an approved local agent was not verified.

  one-time water well permit fee maximum: <= 100 USD (fee set by IDPH rule for construction, modification or abandonment)

  “A permit to construct, deepen, modify or seal a water well shall be obtained from the Department or approved local health department prior to start of work.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from building permits in Paradise township
• Building code adopted — Residential building code applicable to Paradise township land
• Inspections — Residential building inspections for Paradise township land
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes in Paradise township
• Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemption from county or township land-use rules in Paradise 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.