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

Clintonia Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erection, construction, reconstruction, structural alteration, or commencement of work on a building or structure inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

  • No permit is required for the enumerated exceptions: specified exterior remodeling; exterior changes that do not alter size, shape, dimension, or height; specified utility installations; and qualifying public-park buildings, structures, or uses.
  • The park exception requires a location at least 100 feet from a residential property line, compliance with minimum-yard requirements, and a permitted district use.

  “hereafter, no building or structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed or structurally altered, nor shall work begin upon same until the required permit has been issued by the administrator; except that, no permit shall be required for the following:”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner installation of a private sewage disposal system inside Clintonia Township under the county private-sewage rule.

  • This finding concerns the private sewage disposal-system permit, not a general exemption from building permits or building-code requirements.
  • A permit must be issued; the alternative eligible installer is a state-licensed private sewage disposal system installation contractor.

  “a permit shall only be issued to an state licensed private sewage disposal system installation contractor or a homeowner installing his or her own sewage disposal system.”

• Certificate of occupancyLimited

  Changes in land occupancy and changes of use or occupancy in new or existing buildings inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

  • Single-family dwellings are excepted.
  • Agricultural land, listed utility facilities and equipment, and public-utility distribution equipment are excepted.

  “hereafter, no change in the occupancy of land, or any change of use or occupancy in a new or existing building other than for single-family dwelling shall be made until an occupancy permit has been issued by the administrator.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Clintonia Township that is subject to DeWitt County zoning; the county, rather than the township, administers the applicable zoning code.

  • The county chapter includes lands and waters within the county and municipalities that do not have their own zoning ordinance; incorporated places with their own zoning ordinance are excepted.

  “The jurisdiction of this chapter shall include all lands and waters within the county and within those municipalities not having in force their own zoning ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning districts applicable inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

  • The published chapter lists Agricultural, RD-1, RD-2, RD-3, R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, B-1, B-2, B-3, Industrial, and Floodplain districts.

  “districts residential uses agr. rd-1 rd-2 rd-3 r-1 r-2 r-3 r-4 b-1 b-2 b-3 i fp”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

  • The table's minimums apply to structures within the county or incorporated municipalities affected by the chapter.
  • For lots not served by public sewer, the county may require larger lots based on soil capabilities.

  minimum lot area: 12150 square feet (R-1 district.)

  “R-1 | 12,150 | 35 | 90 | 90 | 30 | 20(c) | 10”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — Agricultural (A) District inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

    “A | 87,120 | None | 240 | 240 | 50 | 35 | 15”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Agricultural (A) District inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

  • Non-residential structures in the Agricultural District may be constructed 15 feet from the rear property line.
  • Buildings over two stories require an additional five feet for each story above two in the side yard.

  minimum front setback: 50 feet (Agricultural district.) · minimum rear setback: 35 feet (Non-residential exception applies.) · minimum side-yard setback: 15 feet (Additional-story rule applies.)

  “A | 87,120 | None | 240 | 240 | 50 | 35 | 15”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

    “R-1 | 12,150 | 35 | 90 | 90 | 30 | 20(c) | 10”

• Building heightSpecified

  R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

  • An exception from a building-height maximum may be granted as a special use permit.

  maximum building height: 35 feet (R-1 district; special-use exception may be granted.)

  “(i) exceptions from building height maximums may be granted as a special use permit.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • None (with conditions) — Agricultural (A) District inside Clintonia Township where DeWitt County zoning applies.

    “A | 87,120 | None | 240 | 240 | 50 | 35 | 15”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured and mobile homes inside Clintonia Township where the DeWitt County zoning code applies.

  • Placement is limited to the R-4 Mobile Home Residential District or IDPH-approved and licensed mobile-home parks.
  • R-4 sites must meet the chapter's minimum lot requirements; park lot sizes are regulated by IDPH.
  • Units must comply with the Mobile Home Owners Tiedown Act and have complete perimeter skirting.
  • If not connected to municipal water and/or sewer, units must comply with applicable Health Department water-well and/or septic rules.

  “manufactured and mobile homes may be placed only in the r-4 mobile home residential district or in areas approved and licensed as mobile home parks by the state department of public health (idph).”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage systems inside Clintonia Township, administered through the DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department.

  • The department's sanitarian performs the pre-backfill inspection described in the FAQ.

  “a sanitarian from the department is required to inspect the system before it is backfilled. 48 hour notice should be given to the department in order to assure sanitarian availability.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Replacement septic tanks and listed substantial septic-system changes inside Clintonia Township.

  • A permit application is required for replacement of a septic tank, removal or addition of a major component, an absorption-field increase of 25% or more, or removal and replacement with new piping and backfill of 25% or more of an existing absorption field.
  • Examples of major components are an aeration unit, seepage bed, seepage pit, chamber field, and waste stabilization pond.

  absorption field change threshold: >= 25 percent (Increase, or removal and replacement with new piping and backfill.)

  “a permit application is also required to be submitted to our agency when the size of the absorption field is increased by 25% or more or where 25% or more of the existing absorption field is removed and replaced with new piping and backfill material.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Approved private sewage-system installations inside Clintonia Township.

  • Inspection occurs before backfill.
  • Provide the department 48-hour notice to assure sanitarian availability.
  • The sanitarian may deny approval if any part is covered at inspection or deficiencies are found.

  notice before inspection: >= 48 hours (To assure sanitarian availability.)

  “a sanitarian from the department is required to inspect the system before it is backfilled. 48 hour notice should be given to the department in order to assure sanitarian availability.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Owner-installed private sewage disposal systems inside Clintonia Township.

  • A system permit may be issued only to a state-licensed private sewage disposal system installation contractor or a homeowner installing the homeowner's own sewage disposal system.

  “a permit shall only be issued to an state licensed private sewage disposal system installation contractor or a homeowner installing his or her own sewage disposal system.”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable

  Permit fees for buildings intended for agricultural purposes and accessory buildings on an operating farm inside Clintonia Township where county zoning applies.

  • This is an exemption from permit fees stated by the county code, not an exemption from all zoning or other approval requirements.

  permit fee: 0 USD (Buildings intended for agricultural purposes or accessory buildings on an operating farm.)

  “by state law, no fees are charged for permits for buildings intended to be used for agricultural purposes or for accessory buildings located on an operating farm.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  Highway access, including entrance and exit, in the RD-1 Rural Development-1 District inside Clintonia Township where county zoning applies.

  • The rule applies in RD-1 only.

  minimum interval between highway access points: >= 500 feet (Includes entrance and exit in RD-1.)

  “(h) highway access (includes entrance and exit) shall not be permitted in less than 500-foot intervals.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in the floodplain inside Clintonia Township where the DeWitt County floodplain rule applies.

  • Persons, firms, corporations, and governmental bodies exempted by law are excepted.
  • Application requires site drawings, grades, building locations and dimensions, lowest-floor elevation, and a project-cost estimate.
  • The zoning administrator cannot issue the permit unless all other required federal, state, and local permits are obtained.

  “No person, firm, corporation or governmental body not exempted by law shall commence any development in the floodplain without first obtaining a development permit from the County Zoning Administrator.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Bed-and-breakfast, vacation-home-rental, board, or lodging-house uses inside Clintonia Township where county zoning applies.

  • The use is a special use in Agricultural, RD-1, RD-2, and RD-3 districts; permitted in R-3, B-1, B-2, and B-3; and a special use in Industrial.
  • A blank district entry means the use is prohibited under the schedule.

  “bed and breakfast, vacation home rental, board or lodging house s s s s x x x x s”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning permits and applications affecting land inside Clintonia Township.

  • Fees are non-refundable.
  • Agricultural-purpose buildings and accessory buildings on an operating farm have no permit fee under the stated state-law provision.
  • Legal-notice publication fees are paid by the applicant.

  single-family residential use permit: 150 USD (Includes attached/detached garages, carports, decks, and porches.) · mobile-home permit: 35 USD · occupancy permit: 25 USD (Changes in land use other than agricultural, one-/two-family residence, public utility, or government purposes.)

  “(1) fees for the various permit and zoning applications are non-refundable and are as follows: (a) single-family residential uses (including attached, detached garages, carports, decks and porches):$150;”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building and occupancy permit applications for land inside Clintonia Township where county zoning applies.

  • The administrator issues the building permit and collects the fee only if the proposed project complies with the chapter and other relevant county ordinances.
  • The administrator may waive application exhibits.

  “(1) the property owner or his or her agent shall meet with the administrator to explain his or her situation, learn the procedure and obtain an application form.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for residential construction inside Clintonia Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwelling floor area inside Clintonia Township.
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Clintonia Township.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Clintonia Township.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Clintonia 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.