Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Squaw Grove Township, Illinois

Squaw Grove Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Construction in the unincorporated portion of Squaw Grove Township.

  • Does not establish requirements for land inside incorporated Hinckley.
  • Work may not begin until the permit is issued.
  • The permit card must be displayed on the property.

  “reviews and issues all building permits for construction in unincorporated DeKalb County”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner-occupant homestead work in the unincorporated portion of Squaw Grove Township.

  • Homeowner must reside on the property and it must be the homeowner's homestead.
  • Work must be performed by the homeowner without paid assistance.
  • All required inspection approvals must be granted before use or occupancy.
  • Plumbing or electrical work on a secondary structure must be performed by a licensed contractor.

  “That the work described on the permit application will be performed by me and that I will not be assisted by any other person performing any part of the work for remuneration.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction in the unincorporated portion of Squaw Grove Township.

  • Does not establish requirements for land inside incorporated Hinckley.
  • Permit holder must call for inspections required by the permit package.

  “Then, it is your responsibility to call for all required inspections as outlined in your permit package.”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Unincorporated land inside Squaw Grove Township.

  • Does not establish zoning districts for incorporated Hinckley.
  • The opened official material proves county districts exist but does not provide the complete district schedule or map for Squaw Grove Township.

  “this Ordinance sets forth regulations that control the use of land, buildings and structures in unincorporated DeKalb County [...] Divide the County into zones or districts regulating and restricting therein the location and use of building, structures and land”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision proposals in the unincorporated portion of Squaw Grove Township.

  • Does not establish rules for land inside incorporated Hinckley.
  • County Planning, Zoning and Development Committee and County Board have subdivision-review and approval jurisdiction.

  “this Chapter prescribes procedures for the subdivision or re-subdivision of land within the area of jurisdiction of the County and contains the procedures, requirements, standards and specifications with respect thereto.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  A new driveway entrance from land inside Squaw Grove Township to a County Highway.

  • Applies only to access to a County Highway.
  • County Engineer approves or denies after site review.
  • Owner is responsible for materials and installation if approved.
  • Owner must schedule inspection after installation.
  • Existing-pipe extension follows the same policy but has no permit fee.

  entrance permit fee: 5 USD (No permit fee for extension permits.)

  “Whenever a new driveway entrance is being requested allowing for access to a County Highway, the property owner will be required to submit the Department’s Application for Entrance Permit to the Department’s Permit Technician.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building-permit applications in the unincorporated portion of Squaw Grove Township.

  • Requires application, site plan or plat, two sets of plans/specifications, approved well/septic permits or site verification, and other listed documents.
  • Application fees are due at application.
  • Commercial and industrial projects are sent to third-party plan review and incur additional review fees.

  “Permit application filled out completely [...] Site plan and/or Plat of Survey [...] Application fees (cash or check, due at time of application)”

Rules another office applies inside Squaw Grove Township

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

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private septic systems inside Squaw Grove Township.

  • Installations, repairs, and modifications must be performed by Illinois Department of Public Health licensed septic-system installation contractors.

  “The program ensures proper installation and repair of all privately owned sewage disposal systems. The program enforces local and state laws and ordinances pertaining to sewage disposal.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Septic-system installation or repair inside Squaw Grove Township.

  • Installations, repairs, or modifications require licensed Illinois Department of Public Health septic-system installation contractors.

  contractor-installed septic permit fee: 415 USD · homeowner-installed septic permit fee: 615 USD

  “Q) Do I need a permit to install or repair my septic system? A) Yes. All septic system installations, repairs or modifications in DeKalb County must be done by Illinois Department of Public Health Licensed Septic System Installation Contractors.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage-disposal-system installation inside Squaw Grove Township.

  • Owner must obtain inspection and final approval before covering any portion of the system.

  “It is clearly understood that the owner assumes full responsibility in obtaining the inspection and final approval of the DeKalb County Health Dept on all portions of this sewage disposal system installation prior to covering any portion of the system.”

• Well permitRequired

  Private wells inside Squaw Grove Township.

  water well permit/inspection/sample fee: 310 USD (Page notes that $100 is the well-permit fee required by state statute.)

  “Q) Do I need a permit to drill a well? A) Yes. By law a permit must obtained from the health department.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Well and septic permits inside Squaw Grove Township.

  • Health Department page states that effective 01/04/2024 debit- and credit-card transactions have a 2.25% fee, with a $1.00 minimum.
  • Building permit fees are not established by this claim.

  water well permit/inspection/sample: 310 USD · septic permit, contractor installed: 415 USD · septic permit, homeowner installed: 615 USD

  “Water Well Permit*/Inspection/Sample | $310.00 [...] Septic Permit- Contractor Installed | $415.00 [...] Septic Permit- Homeowner Installed | $615.00”

Still unanswered

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

• Building code adopted — Land inside Squaw Grove Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Land inside Squaw Grove Township.
• Local zoning — Land inside Squaw Grove Township, including land within the Village of Hinckley.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential dwellings inside Squaw Grove Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Squaw Grove 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.