Bolthole Index

De Witt County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Farmer City, Illinois

Farmer City, Illinois requires a city building permit before construction or structural alteration begins, with listed remodeling exceptions.1 Farmer City administers its own zoning, separate from De Witt County’s zoning jurisdiction.23 Where public sewer is unavailable, private sewage disposal needs a city permit from the Superintendent, and additional health-department requirements may apply.45

At a glance

Building permit
Required for construction and structural alterations; listed remodeling exceptions1
Zoning
Farmer City administers its own zoning2
Sewer connection
Required under the city’s conditions when public sewer is within 75 feet of the property line6
Septic permits
City Superintendent permit; additional health-department requirements may apply45
Manufactured homes
Limited to R-4 or IDPH-approved and licensed mobile-home parks7
Residential lot size
R-1 minimum: 12,150 square feet, subject to exceptions8
Owner-builder
Illinois plumbing exemption is limited and does not waive all local permits910

Who to call

Planning & zoning

Farmer City City Manager / Zoning Administrator

City zoning questions and routing to the Administrator for building-permit applications

(309) 928-3412

105 S. Main St. Farmer City, IL 61842

Septic permits

Farmer City Waterworks and Sewerage Superintendent

City sewer connections and private sewage disposal permits and inspections; contact through City Hall

(309) 928-3412

105 S. Main St. Farmer City, IL 61842

Septic permits

DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department

Health-department private sewage disposal requirements and septic-system applications

217.935.3427

5924 Revere Road Clinton, IL 61727

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Farmer City means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Farmer City, IL?

Farmer City requires the Administrator’s building permit before a building or structure is erected, constructed, reconstructed or structurally altered.1 The city lists exceptions for remodeling such as siding, windows, roofing, painting, kitchens and baths, and for work that does not alter size, shape, dimension or height.1 Ask the Administrator to classify your exact project before relying on an exception.11

Farmer City’s published single-family residential permit fee is $100, and application fees are nonrefundable.12 The agricultural provision exempts qualifying agricultural buildings and accessory buildings on an operating farm from permit fees; it does not establish a blanket construction or zoning exemption.13

Who issues building permits in Farmer City?

Farmer City’s Administrator handles the city’s building-permit application process: the owner or agent meets with the Administrator, explains the proposal and obtains the application.14 Start with the City Manager through the city zoning page, which provides a building-permit application link and directs zoning questions to that office.11

A Farmer City building-permit application generally needs a boundary survey and plot plan unless the Administrator waives them.14 The completed application and exhibits go to the Administrator, who issues the permit and collects the fee if the project complies with the zoning chapter and other relevant city ordinances.14 For sewer connections or private sewage disposal, also contact the City Superintendent rather than treating the building permit as sanitation approval.64

Does Farmer City have zoning, lot-size rules and setbacks?

Farmer City administers its own zoning and has agricultural, residential, business, industrial and floodplain districts.215 Ask the city zoning office to identify the parcel’s district before choosing a house footprint.11

In Farmer City’s R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District, the minimum lot area is 12,150 square feet, with minimum width and road frontage of 90 feet; preexisting substandard-lot and septic-related conditions may apply.8 The R-1 table lists front, rear and side setbacks of 30, 20 and 10 feet respectively, with averaging and detached-structure exceptions.16 R-1’s maximum building height is 35 feet, subject to special-use exceptions.17

Farmer City’s A Agricultural District instead lists a minimum lot area of 87,120 square feet and front, rear and side setbacks of 50, 35 and 15 feet, with a nonresidential rear-yard exception.1819

How do septic permits and sewer connections work in Farmer City?

Farmer City requires qualifying occupied properties to connect at the owner’s expense when public sewer is within 75 feet of the property line, within 90 days after official notice.6 A building sewer permit and adequate downstream reserve capacity are required for a sewer connection.6

Where public sewer is unavailable, Farmer City requires a written private sewage disposal permit signed by the Superintendent before construction, with plans, specifications and a $25 city permit and inspection fee payable to the City Clerk.4 The city cannot issue a subsurface soil-absorption system permit for a lot smaller than 0.75 acre.20

The City Superintendent inspects private sewage installations; notify the city before underground portions are covered and when ready for final inspection.21 Additional health-department requirements may apply, so contact DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department as well.522

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Farmer City?

Farmer City’s travel-trailer-camp provisions require special-use approval in the districts shown in the zoning table, and the public-park entry specifies no camping.23 Those camp provisions do not establish permission to live in an RV on an individual house lot; ask the City Manager about the proposed location and duration before buying a trailer for construction-site living.2311

Farmer City limits manufactured and mobile homes to the R-4 Mobile Home Residential District or IDPH-approved and licensed mobile-home parks, with tiedown and perimeter-skirting requirements.7 We could not confirm a separate Farmer City tiny-home occupancy rule or minimum dwelling floor area; ask the city zoning office how the proposed home would be classified.11 Illinois’s qualifying owner-occupant plumbing exemption is limited to plumbing work and does not remove all local permit or inspection requirements.910

Building a home in Farmer City: what are the steps before you buy?

  1. Ask Farmer City’s zoning office to confirm the address is within city limits, identify the zoning district and review the proposed use, lot dimensions and setbacks.1115816
  2. Ask the City Superintendent whether sewer connection is required and whether downstream capacity supports the connection; if sewer is unavailable, discuss the city’s private sewage permit and health-department requirements.645
  3. Meet the Administrator, prepare the building-permit application and required survey and plot plan, and obtain the permit before construction begins.141

For land outside Farmer City, use the De Witt County guide: the county zoning chapter excludes municipalities with their own zoning ordinance.3 We could not confirm Farmer City’s private-well permit rule, detailed floodplain approval process or general building-inspection schedule; request those answers from the city before committing to a site or construction contract.11

Watch-outs

  • Farmer City’s city septic permit is not the only possible sanitation approval: additional health-department requirements may apply.5
  • A Farmer City residential lot that meets its zoning minimum may still be too small for subsurface soil absorption, which requires at least 0.75 acre.820
  • Farmer City’s occupancy-permit provision excludes single-family dwellings from the stated building-occupancy requirement; that exclusion does not waive the construction permit.241

Sources

  1. § 155.126 PERMITS REQUIRED. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning - City of Farmer City (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  3. Planning and Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  4. PUBLIC WORKS - City of Farmer City (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  5. PUBLIC WORKS - City of Farmer City (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  6. PUBLIC WORKS - City of Farmer City (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  7. § 155.095 MOBILE HOME RULES AND REGULATIONS. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  8. § 155.065 DISTRICT LOT REGULATIONS. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  9. HB5913 Enrolled — Illinois Plumbing License Law amendment (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. 225 ILCS 320/18 — Local regulation; Department standards (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Farmer City City Manager / Zoning Administrator (cityoffarmercity.org)
  12. § 155.126 PERMITS REQUIRED. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  13. § 155.126 PERMITS REQUIRED. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  14. § 155.126 PERMITS REQUIRED. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  15. § 155.025 ZONING DISTRICTS ESTABLISHED. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  16. § 155.065 DISTRICT LOT REGULATIONS. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  17. § 155.065 DISTRICT LOT REGULATIONS. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  18. § 155.065 DISTRICT LOT REGULATIONS. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  19. § 155.065 DISTRICT LOT REGULATIONS. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  20. PUBLIC WORKS - City of Farmer City (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  21. PUBLIC WORKS - City of Farmer City (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  22. DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department (dewittpiatthealth.com)
  23. § 155.053 SCHEDULE OF PERMITTED USES, PROHIBITED USES, AND SPECIAL PERMIT USES BY DISTRICT. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked
  24. § 155.126 PERMITS REQUIRED. (Farmer City), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Farmer City

Farmer City’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Erection, construction, reconstruction, or structural alteration of buildings and structures inside Farmer City city limits.

    • No work may begin until the required permit is issued by the Administrator.
    • Exceptions include exterior remodeling such as siding, windows, roofing, painting, interior walls, kitchens, baths, carpeting, office or warehouse rearrangements; work that does not alter size, shape, dimension, or height; public utility structures and installations; and qualifying buildings, structures, or uses in public parks.
    • Park exceptions require location at least 100 feet from any residential property line, compliance with minimum yard requirements, and a permitted use in the district.
    “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:”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Changes in occupancy of land, or changes of use or occupancy in a new or existing building other than a single-family dwelling, inside Farmer City city limits.

    • An occupancy permit is required before the change.
    • The permit must state that the new occupancy complies with the zoning chapter.
    • No occupancy permit is required for agricultural land, storm sewers, farm tiles, sanitary sewers, pipelines, poles, towers, wires, cables, conduits, vaults, laterals, or similar public-utility distributing equipment.
    “Here after, 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

    Land inside Farmer City city limits; the city administers its own zoning ordinances and codes.

    “In April 2024, our city officially adopted its own zoning ordinances and codes to better serve the needs and vision of our community.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Farmer City city limits.

    • The code lists Agricultural, B-1, B-2, B-3, FP, I, R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 districts.
    • The zoning map directory and district-boundary provisions are separate code sections.
    “In order to carry out the purposes of this chapter, the geographic area within the jurisdiction of this chapter is hereby divided into the following use districts:”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Travel trailer camps and camping-related uses inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Travel trailer camps require special-use approval in the districts shown by the official zoning table.
    • The table separately lists public parks as “no camping.”
    “Public park or recreational facility (no camping) | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured and mobile homes inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Placement is limited to the R-4 Mobile Home Residential District or areas approved and licensed as mobile-home parks by IDPH.
    • R-4 minimum lot requirements apply.
    • Mobile-home-park lot sizes are regulated by IDPH.
    • Homes must comply with the Illinois Mobile Home Owners Tiedown Act as administered by IDPH and must have perimeter skirting.
    “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 septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Farmer City city limits.

    • The City Superintendent issues the city permit and inspects the installation.
    • The system must comply with the Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code and Illinois EPA requirements.
    • The city code states that additional Local Health Department requirements may apply.
    “No statement contained in this subchapter shall be construed to interfere with any additional requirements that may be imposed by the Local Health Department.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Farmer City city limits where public sewer is unavailable.

    • A written permit signed by the Superintendent is required before construction.
    • The application must use a city form and include plans, specifications, and other information requested by the city.
    • A $25 permit and inspection fee is due to the City Clerk when filed.

    permit and inspection fee: 25 USD

    “Before commencement of construction of a private sewage disposal system the owner shall first obtain a written permit signed by the Superintendent.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Private sewage disposal systems inside Farmer City city limits.

    • The permit is ineffective until installation is completed to the Superintendent’s satisfaction.
    • The Superintendent may inspect at any construction stage.
    • The applicant must notify the city before underground portions are covered and when ready for final inspection.
    • Inspection must occur within 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays after written notice.

    inspection response time: 24 hours excluding weekends and holidays

    “A permit for a private sewage disposal system shall not become effective until the installation is completed to the satisfaction of the Superintendent. He shall be allowed to inspect the work at any stage of construction and, in any event, the applicant for the permit shall notify the city when the work is ready for final inspection, and before any underground portions are covered.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal without public sewer inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Private sewage systems are prohibited except as provided in the private-sewage subchapter.
    • They may be used where public sanitary or combined sewer is unavailable.
    • A written city permit, inspection, state requirements, and possible Local Health Department requirements apply.
    • No subsurface soil-absorption system permit may issue for a lot under 3/4 acre.

    minimum lot area for subsurface soil absorption: >= 0.75 acres

    “Where a public sanitary (or combined) sewer is not available under the provisions of § 51.033, the building sewer shall be connected to a private sewage disposal system complying with the provisions of this subchapter.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Properties inside Farmer City city limits used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes when a public sanitary or combined sewer is within 75 feet of the property line.

    • Connection is at the owner’s expense.
    • Connection must occur within 90 days after official notice, or within the code’s stated three-month/six-month periods after installation of a public sewer main.
    • Private sewage facilities must be discontinued when connection is required.
    • A building sewer permit and demonstrated downstream reserve capacity are required for a sewer connection.
    • Water service is available through the city system, but no comparable universal water-distance mandate was established.

    public sewer distance threshold: <= 75 feet from property line · connection deadline after official notice: 90 days

    “The owner of all houses, building, or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes situated within the city and abutting on any street, alley, or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located any public sanitary (or combined) sewer of the city, is hereby required at his expense to install suitable toilet facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the proper public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within 90 days after date of official notice to do so, provided that said public sewer is within 75 feet of the property line.”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Permits for buildings intended for agricultural purposes or accessory buildings located on an operating farm inside Farmer City city limits.

    • The exemption is stated as a state-law fee exemption; it concerns permit fees, not a blanket exemption from all zoning or construction requirements.
    “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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision plats inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Chapter 152 contains preliminary-plat, final-plat, design-standard, inspection, and enforcement provisions.
    • Subdivision approval must comply with the chapter and other applicable regulations.
    “Approval of subdivision plats to be in compliance with this chapter”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning, building, occupancy, mobile-home, accessory-building, special-use, rezoning, variance, appeal, text-amendment, and structure permits inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Fees are nonrefundable.
    • Single-family residential uses: $100; mobile homes: $35; occupancy permits: $25; accessory-building fees range from $40 to $100 by square footage.
    • Commercial or industrial building fees are $0.03 per square foot, $50 minimum, plus review and inspection fee after 7-1-2011.
    • Special-use, rezoning, variance, appeal, and text-amendment fees are separately listed.
    • Agricultural and operating-farm accessory-building permit fees are exempt by state law.

    single-family residential permit fee: 100 USD · mobile-home permit fee: 35 USD · occupancy permit fee: 25 USD

    “Fees for the various permit and zoning applications are non-refundable and are as follows:”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building and occupancy permit applications inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Owner or agent meets with the Administrator, explains the situation, learns the procedure, and obtains an application.
    • Applicant files the completed application and exhibits.
    • Administrator issues the permit and collects the fee if the project complies with the zoning chapter and other relevant city ordinances.
    • Applications generally require a boundary survey and plot plan unless waived.
    “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.”

Rules another office applies inside Farmer City

Farmer City does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Minimum lot area is 12,150 square feet; minimum width and road frontage are each 90 feet.
    • Preexisting substandard-lot and septic-related conditions may apply.

    minimum lot area: >= 12150 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 90 feet

    “R-1 | 12,150 | 35 | 90 | 90 | 30 | 20 (c) | 10”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    A Agricultural District inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Front setback 50 feet, rear setback 35 feet, side setback 15 feet.
    • Nonresidential structures in A may be 15 feet from the rear property line under note (c).

    front setback: >= 50 feet · rear setback: >= 35 feet (Nonresidential structures in A may be 15 feet from the rear line.) · side setback: >= 15 feet

    “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 Farmer City city limits.
      “R-1 | 12,150 | 35 | 90 | 90 | 30 | 20 (c) | 10”
  • Building heightSpecified

    R-1 Low Density Single-Family Residential District inside Farmer City city limits.

    • Maximum building height is 35 feet.
    • Exceptions from maximum heights may be granted by special-use permit.
    • Buildings over two stories require five feet for each additional story in addition to the minimum side yard.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet (Special-use permit exception.)

    “R-1 | 12,150 | 35 | 90 | 90 | 30 | 20 (c) | 10”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Farmer City city limits.
  • Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for land inside Farmer City city limits.
  • Inspections — Building inspections inside Farmer City city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Farmer City city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Farmer City city limits.
6 more unanswered
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Well permit
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals

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 Farmer City publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. De Witt County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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