Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Palos Heights, Illinois
Palos Heights is a city in Cook County, Illinois. Palos Heights adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Palos Heights’s rules apply, not the county’s. 3 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 22, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Cook County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Palos Heights
Palos Heights’s own rules
Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)
New construction and alterations inside Palos Heights city limits
The city's list names the 2009 International Building Code (IBC) and 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) as current; the list is undated and its editions may not match current model codes.
The list also names the 2014 Illinois State Plumbing Code, 2011 City of Chicago Electrical Code, 2009 IPMC, 2009 IFGC, 2009 ICC Performance Code, 2018 IECC, current Illinois Accessibility Code, 2009 IFC, 2009 ISPSC and 2009 IMC.
The page says the city has approved additional ordinances that supplement the codes, including commercial design guidelines.
“current building codes adopted by city of palos heights”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Palos Heights city limits; the city's own land-use regulation under Title XV: Land Usage of its adopted code
The Title XV land-use chapters were not opened; district maps and use tables are unverified.
The city's website quick links list a Palos Heights zoning map, which is the basis for treating zoning as present.
The adopted code is supplemented through Ord. O-34-25, passed 12-16-25, per the American Legal Publishing overview.
Building permit and plan submissions to the Palos Heights Building Department
Payments are accepted by cash, check, or credit for permits (credit under $1,500.00 only), at pick-up.
No online payments are accepted; permits must be picked up in person.
All construction documents are also required to be submitted digitally.
Plan review steps, timelines and inspection scheduling are not described on the page.
“permits and plans may be submitted at the building department, placed in the drop box by the entrance to the building department”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Palos Heights or Cook County directly.
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-occupant building of a home inside Palos Heights city limits
Inspections — Construction inspections inside Palos Heights city limits
Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new or altered buildings inside Palos Heights city limits
Zoning districts — Zoning districts and zoning map inside Palos Heights city limits
Minimum dwelling size — Main single-family residential district inside Palos Heights city limits (district not yet identified)
21 more unanswered
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Who permits septic
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Subdividing land
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain
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 Palos Heights publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Cook County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Palos Heights means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
