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

Rules another office applies inside Wheeling Township

Wheeling 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

  Work on unincorporated land inside Wheeling Township.

  • Ordinary repairs subject to Section 102-105.3 are excepted.
  • The parcel must be confirmed as unincorporated Cook County.

  “All work in unincorporated Cook County, other than ordinary repairs subject to provisions of Section 102-105.3 of the Cook County Building Code, Amendments-Adopting Ordinance, requires the submittal of a permit application.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Wheeling Township, where Cook County regulates building.

  • The source identifies Chapter 102, Building and Building Regulations, among the County regulatory-code materials.

  “On July 29, 2019, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance adopting new regulatory codes.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction on unincorporated land inside Wheeling Township.

  • The County provides the assigned field-inspector contacts and the stages to be inspected after permit issuance.
  • Spot and final-grade surveys are also required during construction.

  “Inspections are required during the construction process. Upon issuance of your permit, you will receive the name and phone numbers of the field inspectors and the stages of construction that must be inspected.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Wheeling Township; incorporated villages and cities inside the township are excluded.

  • Cook County, rather than Wheeling Township, regulates building and zoning in these unincorporated areas.

  “Since these roads are not part of any village or city, the Township is responsible for maintaining the roads, while Cook County regulates building and zoning in these areas.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage-disposal systems on land inside Wheeling Township that is served by the Cook County Department of Public Health.

  • CCDPH serves suburban Cook County.
  • The stated exception is incorporated Barrington Hills, Inverness, Palos Park, and South Barrington.

  “CCDPH’s Environmental Health Services (EHS) Unit assists residents and businesses throughout suburban Cook County by providing regulatory oversight, plan reviews and inspections for private sewage disposal systems (septics), water wells, closed loop (geothermal) wells, and non-community public water supplies.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private sewage-disposal systems inside Wheeling Township within CCDPH's suburban Cook County service area.

  • CCDPH reviews and approves private sewage systems throughout Cook County except in incorporated Barrington Hills, Inverness, Palos Park, and South Barrington.
  • For new construction served by a septic field, Cook County Building and Zoning requires CCDPH approval at permit submission.

  “Reviews and approves all private sewage disposal systems throughout Cook County except in incorporated Barrington Hills, Inverness, Palos Park, and South Barrington.”

• Well permitRequired

  Private, non-community water wells inside Wheeling Township within CCDPH's service area.

  • The stated scope includes construction, modification, and sealing of private non-community wells.

  “Reviews and approves all private, non-community water wells, closed loop wells, and related wells for construction, modification, or sealing.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Cook County building-permit applications for unincorporated land inside Wheeling Township.

  • Electronic residential submissions require a $100 deposit; non-residential electronic submissions require a $500 deposit.
  • The deposit is deducted from the final permit fee.
  • In-person applications require the same deposit by check payable to Cook County Collector.

  residential electronic submission deposit: 100 USD (Deducted from final permit fee) · non-residential electronic submission deposit: 500 USD (Deducted from final permit fee)

  “All electronic submissions require a deposit of $100 for residential projects or $500 for non-residential projects that are payable online. Applications delivered in person shall be accompanied by a check made payable to Cook County Collector for the same deposit fee. The deposit will be deducted from the final permit fee amount.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Cook County building-permit applications for unincorporated land inside Wheeling Township.

  • Applications may be filed through the online portal, by email, or in person/mail.
  • Additional documents may be requested during review.
  • Approval follows resolution of deficiencies and applicable requirements.

  “After submitting the application, you will be notified by an email that includes a permit number. The application will be reviewed by multiple staff in the Department of Building and Zoning working in five areas: architectural, electrical, plumbing, zoning and permit control/contractor registration.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Wheeling Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy on land inside Wheeling Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Wheeling Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Wheeling Township.
• Setbacks — Structures inside Wheeling 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.