Edgar County, IL: Limited Building Permits

Edgar County, Illinois has no county building department or county building-permit page that we could confirm for unincorporated land, and Illinois leaves building permits to the local government with jurisdiction¹. The county's own hazard plan lists building codes only in Paris and zoning ordinances only in Chrisman and Paris². Septic and well permits for every address in the county come from the Edgar County Public Health Department, not from a city³.

At a glance

Building permit: County requirement not confirmed; ask the local jurisdiction¹
Zoning: Countywide status not confirmed⁴
Septic: Permit through Edgar County Public Health Department³
Private well: Permit required through county health³
RV living: Long-term private-land occupancy not confirmed⁴
Tiny home: Occupancy and dimensional rules not confirmed⁴
Owner-builder: No county exemption confirmed⁵

Who to call

Septic permits

Edgar County Public Health Department — Environmental Health

Private sewage disposal permits and inspections, and permits for new and modified water wells

217-465-2212

502 Shaw Avenue, Paris, IL 61944

Zoning

Edgar County Clerk & Recorder

Recorded plats, subdivision regulations, zoning and city ordinances, and flood maps; contact point for locating the operative county records

217-466-7433

115 W. Court St., Room J, Paris, IL 61944

One more officeRoads & driveways

Roads & driveways

Edgar County Highway Department

County highways, bridges and culverts; ask whether proposed access touches a county road or township road

217-465-4139

12637 E. 950th Rd., Paris, IL 61944

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 10, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Edgar County, Illinois?

We could not confirm that Edgar County requires a building permit for a house in unincorporated areas, because no county permit page states it.

We could not confirm that Edgar County requires a building permit for a house in unincorporated areas, because no county permit page states it¹. The county's own hazard mitigation plan says only Paris has building codes in place, which points to the city rather than the county as the place a house gets building permits and inspections². Illinois does not issue building permits, perform plan review or conduct building-code inspections for privately funded projects; any such requirements come from the municipality, village, city or county with jurisdiction¹.

That does not make a project exempt from codes¹. Illinois has statewide baseline building-code requirements, and locally adopted residential codes must meet the minimum structural requirements of the International Residential Code¹. Before pricing a house, ask which local government has jurisdiction over the parcel and request its permit, inspection and occupancy-certificate requirements in writing¹. Large commercial solar or wind projects follow a separate county process that ends with a building permit only after the County Board approves a special use permit⁶.

Who handles Edgar County building permits and how do you reach them?

No Edgar County building department or general building-permit application could be confirmed, so start with the Edgar County Clerk & Recorder at 217-466-7433 to identify the operative county records and the government with jurisdiction over the parcel^1,7. The Clerk & Recorder's published functions include subdivision regulations, zoning and city ordinances, plats and flood maps⁷.

For work tied to a city or village parcel, ask that municipality directly because Illinois assigns private-project permitting to the applicable local government¹. For a rural parcel, separately call Environmental Health for septic and well approvals; those are confirmed county processes even though the general building-permit question is not³.

Does Edgar County, Illinois have zoning?

The county's hazard mitigation plan states that only Chrisman and Paris have zoning ordinances, so zoning inside those two cities is set by the cities.

The county's hazard mitigation plan states that only Chrisman and Paris have zoning ordinances, so zoning inside those two cities is set by the cities². We could not confirm a countywide zoning ordinance for unincorporated land; Edgar County's published ordinances include separate commercial solar and wind ordinances rather than a general zoning code^4,8. The Clerk & Recorder lists zoning and city ordinances among its records, which makes it the place to ask for the ordinance and map affecting a particular parcel⁷.

Do not treat an unincorporated address as unrestricted. Illinois law allows county zoning districts outside municipalities, with setbacks and building heights determined by the applicable local ordinance or district⁹. Confirm minimum dwelling size, setbacks, building height, lot coverage and agricultural-building treatment with the jurisdiction named in those records, and check deeds and subdivision restrictions as well⁷. Septic and wells stay with the Edgar County Public Health Department even inside Paris and Chrisman³.

How do septic and well permits work in Edgar County?

Edgar County Public Health Department's Environmental Health office issues permits for private sewage disposal systems and for new or modified water wells.

Edgar County Public Health Department's Environmental Health office issues permits for private sewage disposal systems and for new or modified water wells³. A septic permit is required, and the published county fee is $125; the health department's fee schedule also lists a $150 plan review for new construction³. The office also provides a downloadable septic application, while the published process does not give a complete approval timeline³.

Illinois requires private-sewage plan approval before construction and notice to the state or local authority at least 48 hours before work begins¹⁰. Only 4.1% of Edgar County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation an early contingency rather than assuming a standard layout will work¹¹. Environmental Health can be reached at 217-465-2212 at 502 Shaw Avenue in Paris³.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Edgar County?

Edgar County has no confirmed county rule in the available record answering whether a person may live long-term in an RV on private land or occupy a tiny home.

Edgar County has no confirmed county rule in the available record answering whether a person may live long-term in an RV on private land or occupy a tiny home⁴. Illinois campground rules do not answer private-parcel RV occupancy, because those rules concern licensed campgrounds and recreational areas¹².

For a tiny home, the unresolved issues include the local zoning district, minimum dwelling size, setbacks, building permit, sewage approval and any occupancy certificate^1,4. Off-grid sanitation is possible only through state-approved options: Illinois conditionally allows privies and certain portable, recirculating, incinerating and composting toilets, while other domestic wastewater still must use a conventional private sewage disposal system¹³. Ask the land-use jurisdiction and Environmental Health to approve the full living arrangement before purchase³.

Building a home in Edgar County: what are the steps?

Confirm whether the parcel is inside a municipality or in unincorporated Edgar County, then ask that jurisdiction for its building-permit, inspection and occupancy requirements.

Confirm whether the parcel is inside a municipality or in unincorporated Edgar County, then ask that jurisdiction for its building-permit, inspection and occupancy requirements¹.
Ask the Clerk & Recorder for the current plat, subdivision restrictions, zoning records and flood map affecting the parcel⁷.
Submit the septic and well applications to Edgar County Public Health Department before committing to a house location³.
Obtain private-sewage plan approval before construction and provide at least 48 hours' notice before sewage-system work begins¹⁰.
If access enters a state-maintained highway, secure the required IDOT permit before work in the right-of-way; for county or township road access, ask the Edgar County Highway Department which road authority controls the frontage^14,15.
Resolve any regulated floodway permit before construction¹⁶.

What should you check before buying land in Edgar County?

Start with sewage feasibility: only 4.1% of Edgar County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.

Start with sewage feasibility: only 4.1% of Edgar County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field¹¹. Pair the septic review with a well-permit discussion because Edgar County Public Health Department handles both systems³.

Check legal access and road ownership before assuming a field entrance can become a driveway¹⁴. Edgar County Highway Department maintains county highways and assists the county's townships with their roadways, so it can help identify the correct road authority¹⁵. Review flood maps with the Clerk & Recorder, and investigate any regulated floodway before placing a structure^7,16. For carrying costs, Edgar County's effective property-tax rate is about 1.5%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $1,478¹¹.

Watch-outs

Do not read the absence of a confirmed Edgar County building-permit page as permission to build without local approval; Illinois assigns private-project requirements to the local government with jurisdiction¹.
A septic permit is required, and conventional drain-field conditions rate poorly across most of Edgar County's mapped soils^3,11.
Long-term RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size and an owner-builder exemption remain unconfirmed for unincorporated Edgar County; ask the parcel's land-use jurisdiction before relying on any of them^4,5.

Sources

16 official pages, each quoted and re-checked · written October 10, 2026

Written October 10, 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.

Off-grid gear

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

Compared with neighboring counties

Unlike 4 of its 6 neighbors, Edgar County requires a building permit only in limited cases.

Rule	Edgar County	Clark County	Douglas County	Coles County	Champaign County	Vermilion County	Cumberland County
Building permit	Limited	Not required	Required	Not required	Limited	Limited	Not required
County zoning	Not published	No	Not published	No	Yes	Not published	No
Septic permits	County Public Health Dept.	County Health Dept.	County Health Dept.	County Health Dept.	Champaign-Urbana Public Health District	County Health Dept.	County Health Dept.

Cities and towns in Edgar County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet covered: Village of Brocton · Brouilletts Creek Township · Buck Township · Chrisman · Edgar Township · Elbridge Township · Embarrass Township · Grandview Township · Village of Hume · Hunter Township · Kansas Township · Village of Kansas · Village of Metcalf · Paris Township · Prairie Township · Village of Redmon · Ross Township · Shiloh Township · Stratton Township · Symmes Township · Village of Vermilion · Young America Township

Answers from the rulebook for Edgar County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Edgar County rules

Building permitLimited
Commercial wind and solar energy facilities in Edgar County subject to the county process.
- The developer must file a Special Use Permit application with the County Clerk.
- The County reviews the application for completeness and conducts the stated public-hearing process.
- Only if the County Board approves the application may the developer apply for a building permit.
- The County reviews the building-permit materials and approval depends on all requirements being met.
“VII. If approved, Developer may apply for Building Permit. VIII. Review of Building Permit materials by the County and approval if all requirements are met.”
General Process Outline for Commercial Wind & Solar Energy Facilities ↗Re-checked Oct 4, 2026
County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)
Commercial solar energy facilities and wind facilities subject to Edgar County ordinances.
- The official county website identifies separate Edgar County Commercial Solar Energy Facility and Wind ordinances.
- This claim establishes county regulation of those specified energy facilities only; it does not establish a comprehensive county zoning code for all land uses.
- Municipal zoning ordinances may supersede county zoning within municipal corporate limits under Illinois law.
“Edgar County Commercial Solar Energy Facility Ordinance [...] Edgar County Wind Ordinance”
Downloads – Edgar County Illinois ↗Re-checked Oct 6, 2026
Local zoningVaries (with conditions)
Countywide aggregate of local zoning identified for Edgar County municipalities and county planning materials; the conclusion aggregates township and municipal zoning rather than claiming that the County administers every local ordinance.
- The official plan separately lists Edgar County and municipalities including Brocton, Chrisman, Hume, Kansas, Metcalf, Paris, and Redmon.
- The plan inventory identifies zoning ordinances in only some listed jurisdictions, so local zoning varies by jurisdiction.
- The plan does not provide the underlying local ordinance text or parcel-specific applicability.
“Only Paris has building codes in place and only Chrisman and Paris have zoning ordinances.”
Edgar County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan ↗Re-checked Oct 4, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Varies (with conditions) — Aggregate of zoning shown for Edgar County and municipalities in the county; the conclusion reflects separate local authorities rather than treating the county as the administrator of every municipal ordinance.
  “Only Paris has building codes in place and only Chrisman and Paris have zoning ordinances.”
  Edgar County Multi-Jurisdictional All Hazards Mitigation Plan ↗Re-checked Oct 7, 2026
Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)
Private sewage disposal systems in Edgar County.
- IDPH regulates private sewage disposal installation statewide.
- The Edgar County Public Health Department provides local permitting and inspection services and operates under the Edgar County Board of Health.
- Local health-agency review may occur by local ordinance or as an agent of IDPH.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems). Staff also review and approve plans for private sewage disposal systems and alternative private sewage disposal systems before construction. There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans, either by authority of a local ordinance or as an "agent" of the Department.”
Environmental Health Services - Edgar County Public Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Septic permitRequired
Private sewage disposal systems in Edgar County.
- The Edgar County Public Health Department's current fee schedule lists a septic permit at $125.00.
- Construction-plan review and approval requirements under IDPH's statewide private sewage-disposal program also apply.
septic permit fee: 125 USD
“Sewage permits for private sewage disposal systems”
Environmental Health - Edgar County Public Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Well permitRequired
Private water wells in Edgar County.
- The Edgar County Public Health Department's current fee schedule lists a water well permit at $125.00.
water well permit fee: 125 USD
“Water well permits for new and modified wells”
Environmental Health - Edgar County Public Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Permit feesPublished
Environmental-health permit and review fees published by the Edgar County Public Health Department.
- The page labels the list Current Fee Schedule.
- The published schedule includes septic permits, water well permits, new-construction plan review, remodel plan review, and re-inspection fees.
septic permit fee: 125 USD · water well permit fee: 125 USD · plan review for new construction: 150 USD · plan review for remodel: 100 USD · re-inspection fee: 25 USD
“Septic Permit | $125.00 Water Well Permit | $125.00 [...] Plan Review for New Construction | $150.00 Plan Review for Remodel | $100.00 Re-Inspection Fee | $25.00”
Environmental Health - Edgar County Public Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
Permit processPartial
Environmental-health permit process information published by the Edgar County Public Health Department.
- The page provides downloadable Water Well Permit and Septic Application forms but does not publish a complete end-to-end approval timeline or all application requirements.
“Water Well Permit Application 193.27 KB 1 file(s) #### Septic Septic Application 82.51 KB 1 file(s)”
Environmental Health - Edgar County Public Health Department ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026

Illinois rules that apply here

Owner-builder exemptionConditional
Owner occupants or lessee occupants of single-family residences, and owners of single-family residences under construction for their own occupancy, performing plumbing planning, installation, alteration, or repair in Illinois.
- The exemption is limited to plumbing work on the specified single-family residence; the cited statute does not establish a general owner-builder exemption for all construction trades or a statewide exemption from building permits.
- The plumbing must comply with the minimum standards in the Illinois State Plumbing Code.
- The plumbing is subject to inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health or by the local governmental unit if it retains a licensed plumber as inspector.
- The owner, owner occupant, or lessee occupant may not employ anyone other than a plumber licensed under the Illinois Plumbing License Law to assist.
- An occupant must have taken possession of and be living in the premises as their bona fide sole and exclusive residence, or, for a residence under construction, expect to take possession and live there as that residence, with current intent to live there for at least 6 months after completion of the plumbing work or, for a residence under construction, at least 6 months after completion of construction.
- Failure to possess and live in the premises as a sole and exclusive residence for 6 months or more creates a rebuttable presumption that the required intent was lacking.
minimum occupancy period: >= 6 months (After completion of plumbing work; for a residence under construction, after completion of construction.)
“Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the owner occupant or lessee occupant of a single family residence, or the owner of a single family residence under construction for his or her occupancy, from planning, installing, altering or repairing the plumbing system of such residence”
HB5913 Enrolled — Illinois Plumbing License Law amendment ↗Re-checked Oct 4, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Conditional — Privately funded construction in Illinois, including projects performed by an owner-builder, as to state-issued building permits, state plan review, state building-code inspections, and state occupancy permits.
  “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
  Illinois Codes FAQ ↗Re-checked Oct 4, 2026
- Conditional — Statewide treatment of local plumbing permits and inspections for qualifying owner occupants performing plumbing work on a single-family residence.
  “Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit any city, town, village, township or county from providing for a Plumbing Inspector or from requiring permits for the installation and repair of plumbing and collecting a fee therefor, but a city, town, village, township, or county that requires a permit for installation and repair of plumbing may not issue that permit without verification that the applicant has a valid plumbing license or that the applicant is the owner occupant of a single family residence that is the subject of the permit.”
  225 ILCS 320/18 — Local regulation; Department standards ↗Re-checked Oct 4, 2026
Building code adoptedPartial
Building-code requirements statewide in Illinois, including residential and commercial construction subject to the Capital Development Board Act baseline requirements.
- Effective 2025-01-01, Illinois requires statewide baseline building-code requirements.
- Local governments may adopt building codes, but they are not required to adopt codes; jurisdictions that do not adopt a code are treated as non-building-code jurisdictions and must follow the applicable state-law baseline requirements.
- For jurisdictions with adopted codes, local codes must regulate structural design at least as stringently as the applicable IRC, IBC, or IEBC baseline.
- Commercial buildings in non-building-code jurisdictions and state-funded buildings are subject to the state-listed codes and qualified-inspection requirements.
- Residential requirements differ depending on whether the jurisdiction has adopted a compliant building code and whether the home purchaser and builder agree to an alternative code.
statewide baseline effective date: 2025-01-01 · local code structural minimum for residential buildings: IRC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for commercial new buildings: IBC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for existing commercial buildings: IEBC minimum structural requirements
“The State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide building codes effective 1/1/2025. [...] Commercial buildings in jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code AND state funded buildings. [...] Starting 1/1/25 local codes must regulate the structural design in a manner that is at least as stringent as the IBC© for new buildings or IEBC© for existing buildings. [...] Residential buildings in jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code where agreed to by the home purchaser and home builder. [...] Residential buildings in jurisdictions that have adopted a building code. [...] Starting 1/1/25 local codes must regulate the structural design in a manner that is at least as stringent as the IRC©.”
Illinois Codes ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Partial — Statewide Illinois energy-conservation requirements applicable to new commercial and residential construction when a building permit application is received by a municipality or county.
  “The Energy Efficient Building Act requires all new commercial and residential construction for which a building permit application is received by a municipality or county to follow a comprehensive statewide energy conservation code. Renovations, alterations, additions, and repairs to most existing commercial and residential buildings must follow the Illinois Energy Conservation Code.”
  Illinois Energy Efficient Building Act ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
- Adopted — Statewide baseline building-code requirements for residential construction in Illinois, including jurisdictions with and without locally adopted building codes.
  “Please be advised that the State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide baseline building codes effective 1/1/2025. Locally adopted building codes must comply with the requirements of the Act.”
  Building Codes and Regulations ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
InspectionsLimited
Privately funded construction statewide in Illinois, as to inspections performed by the State rather than by a local authority having jurisdiction.
- The Illinois Capital Development Board does not perform building-code inspections for privately funded construction.
- If inspections are required, they are addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
- A local municipality or county may be a non-building-code jurisdiction, in which case applicable state baseline requirements and inspection-certification provisions may apply.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
Illinois Codes FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Not required — Building-code-compliance inspections performed by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
  “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
  Illinois Codes FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Occupancy permits or certificates for privately funded construction in Illinois.
- The State does not issue occupancy permits for privately funded construction.
- If an occupancy permit is required, it is addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
Illinois Codes FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- Not required — Issuance of occupancy permits or certificates by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
  “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
  Illinois Codes FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
County zoning regulations for building or setback lines outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.
- The actual setback distances are established by applicable county zoning districts or other local ordinances.
- Agricultural buildings may be required to conform to building or setback lines.
“to establish building or setback lines”
ilga.gov ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)
County zoning districts outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.
- The applicable county zoning ordinance determines the actual height limit by district or use.
- No single statewide height measurement was identified.
“including height of buildings and structures”
55 ILCS 5/5-12001 — Authority to regulate and restrict location and use of structures ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)
Occupancy of manufactured homes as dwellings, including occupancy in manufactured home communities regulated by IDPH.
- Manufactured home communities with 5 or more sites must be licensed by IDPH, except communities located in home rule units.
- IDPH annually inspects licensed communities for renewal, including water, sewage disposal, electrical systems, lighting, roads, spacing of homes, and garbage disposal.
- Manufactured homes moved since January 1, 1980 must be secured using equipment meeting IDPH standards.
- Effective December 31, 2001, manufactured homes must be installed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or the homeowner and installed according to manufacturer instructions; if unavailable, the IDPH Manufactured Home Installation Code applies.
- Local zoning, building, floodplain, and utility requirements may also apply.
manufactured home community license threshold: >= 5 sites (Communities located in home rule units are excepted from this IDPH licensing statement.) · moved-home tiedown requirement effective date: >= 1980-01-01 · installation requirement effective date: >= 2001-12-31
“designed and situated so as to permit its occupancy as a dwelling place for one or more persons”
Manufactured & Modular Homes/Mobile Structures ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Septic inspectionLimited
New and replacement surface-discharging private sewage disposal systems covered by Illinois EPA general NPDES Permit ILG62.
- Coverage under the general permit is limited to eligible dischargers.
- Systems not eligible for general-permit coverage may require an individual NPDES permit.
- Periodic inspection, monitoring, and reporting are required under the permit.
“The permit sets discharge limits and requires periodic inspection, monitoring and reporting.”
Illinois Surface Discharge Permit (ILG62) ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Off-grid disposal of human wastes through privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets, and compost toilets statewide in Illinois.
- Other domestic wastes must be disposed of in a conventional private sewage disposal system.
- Compost toilets may also be used for other organic domestic wastes.
- Privies have construction, capacity, venting, maintenance, and abandonment requirements.
- A privy pit must have a minimum capacity of 50 cubic feet per seat.
- A privy must be pumped when filled to within 18 inches of the bottom of the riser.
- Vault privies are required where groundwater or limestone formations are within 4 feet of the bottom of the pit.
- Recirculating toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41 and residuals must go to an approved public or private sewage disposal system.
- Incinerator and compost toilets have separate maintenance and disposal requirements; compost toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41.
privy pit minimum capacity: >= 50 cubic feet per seat · privy pumping trigger: <= 18 inches from bottom of riser (Pump when filled to within this distance.) · vault-privy groundwater or limestone separation: < 4 feet from bottom of pit (Watertight, non-metal vaults are required where the condition applies.)
“Privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets and compost toilets are approved for private sewage disposal of human wastes.”
77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.130 Human Waste Disposal ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)
Each building in Illinois intended for human habitation or occupancy, where the Illinois Plumbing Code applies to its plumbing-system design or installation.
- Water may be supplied by a public water system, semi-private water system, or private water supply constructed under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 920 or 930.
- Sewage may be connected to a public sewer system or a private sewage disposal system constructed under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.
- All installations must also comply with applicable State and local laws, ordinances, rules, regulations, and local codes.
- Individually owned residences sharing a common wall or ownership right with ground-floor access, such as townhouses or rowhouses, are separate buildings and require separate connections; a condominium-association residence may instead use one public-water service line to a centralized manifold or meter room with independent shutoff valves, a main shutoff valve at the property line, and compliance with local water-department or water-authority requirements.
- A private water supply may be interconnected with a public water system only when it is located and constructed under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 920 and 925 and the public system is protected against backflow and back siphonage under Section 890.1130; no physical connection is permitted between a potable-water system and a non-potable-water source.
“Each building [...] shall have a connection to a public water system, [...] and a connection to a public sewer system or private sewage disposal system”
77 Ill. Adm. Code 890.170 — Sewer and/or Water Required ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
Agricultural exemptionAvailable
Agricultural experiences conducted as a secondary use with agricultural production on a farm in Illinois.
- The activity must be agriculture-related, a secondary use in conjunction with agricultural production, and occur on a farm.
- The activity must be open to the public with the intended purpose of promoting or educating the public about agriculture, agricultural practices, agricultural activities, or agricultural products.
- The property’s primary use must be agricultural production.
- The exemption prevents a county from requiring a conditional use permit, special use permit, special exception, or variance; the statute does not state that other applicable State or local requirements are waived.
“a county shall not require a conditional use permit [...] or variance for agricultural experiences on property of which the primary use is agricultural production.”
Public Act 102-0492 — Agricultural Experiences Act ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
Driveway accessRequired
Work within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state-maintained roadway, including access-driveway requests to State highways.
- A permit must be obtained before work begins.
- Requirements may vary by IDOT district; the applicant must contact the district office for specific requirements.
- IDOT's access-driveway handbook guides what is allowable for highway access requests.
“Per 605 ILCS 5/4 209, IDOT requires a permit when working within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state maintained roadway. A permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work and a copy of the approved permit must be at the worksite at all times.”
Highway Permits ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction activities in regulated Illinois floodways and, where a floodway has not been delineated, generally work anywhere in the floodplain.
- For downstate streams, IDNR Division permitting applies to floodways of streams draining at least one square mile in urban areas or ten square miles in rural areas.
- In northeastern Illinois, Part 3708 applies to identified floodways in Cook County excluding Chicago, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
- Some minor activities are automatically authorized by statewide or regional permits if their terms and conditions are met.
- For State-owned property, Part 3710 requires a permit for all development activity in FEMA-mapped floodplains.
urban stream drainage area threshold: >= 1 square mile (regulated floodways under Part 3700) · rural stream drainage area threshold: >= 10 square miles (regulated floodways under Part 3700)
“All construction activities in the floodways of streams (the channel and the adjacent portion of the floodplain that is needed to safely convey and store flood waters) in urban areas where the stream drainage area is one square mile or more or in rural areas where the stream drainage area is ten square miles or more must be permitted by the Division prior to construction.”
Permit Program ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Short-term rentalsLimited
Short-term rentals in Illinois where at least one room is rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and accommodations are reserved in advance, when the hosting platform meets the statutory definition of a re-renter.
- Beginning July 1, 2025, qualifying hosting platforms are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.
- The source establishes tax and registration obligations, not statewide land-use permission; local zoning and licensing may separately apply.
rental period: < 30 consecutive days
“Beginning July 1, 2025, hosting platforms for short-term rentals that meet the definition of “re-renter” are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.”
FY 2025-28, Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax Updates for Hosting Platforms for Short-Term Rentals ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
Campground & park staysLimited
Operation of a campground providing temporary parking of recreational vehicles in Illinois; this is not a determination of long-term RV occupancy on an individual private parcel outside the statutory campground definition.
- IDPH annually inspects and licenses covered campgrounds.
- A covered campground includes an area where three or more tents, cabins, recreational vehicles, or other shelters are erected and maintained for camping, or where space is provided for camping or temporary RV parking for 10 or more persons for six or more camping days in a calendar year.
- Campgrounds within home-rule units of government are exempt from this State program.
- IDPH inspects water supply and sewage disposal systems, electrical systems, sanitation, food service, and recreational facilities.
- IDPH reviews construction plans for new campgrounds and major expansions or alterations.
- Local zoning and other local requirements may separately apply.
recreational vehicles or other shelters erected and maintained for camping: >= 3 shelters (One alternative branch of the statutory campground definition.) · persons using space for camping or temporary RV parking: >= 10 persons (Applies for six or more camping days during a calendar year.) · camping days: >= 6 days per calendar year (Applies to the 10-or-more-person branch of the statutory campground definition.)
“State law requires the IDPH to annually inspect and license campgrounds in Illinois. The Campground Licensing and Recreational Area Act defines campground as a recreational area where three or more tents, cabins, recreational vehicles or other permanent or non-permanent type shelters are erected and maintained for camping or where space is provided for camping, temporary parking of recreational vehicles or placing of such tents, cabins, recreational vehicles or other permanent or non-permanent type shelters of any kind for 10 or more persons for six or more camping days during a calendar year.”
Youth Camps and Campgrounds ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
- Allowed (with conditions) — Overnight camping in Illinois campgrounds subject to the Campground Licensing and Recreational Area Act.
  ““Camping Day” means any 24 hour period or portion thereof during which the participants remain overnight at the site.”
  Youth Camps and Campgrounds ↗Re-checked Sep 9, 2026
- Limited — Temporary camping in covered Illinois campgrounds; this claim does not establish whether camping is allowed on a private parcel outside the statutory campground definition.
  “Campgrounds within home rule units of government are exempt. Staff inspects the water supply and sewage disposal systems, the electrical systems, general sanitation, food service and recreational facilities. IDPH also reviews construction plans for all new campgrounds and for major expansions or alterations of existing ones.”
  Youth Camps and Campgrounds ↗Re-checked Nov 4, 2026
county building authorityLimited
County building-construction and building-code regulation, including residential structures, in counties meeting the statutory population and metropolitan-area conditions.
- The county must have a population not in excess of 1,000,000.
- The county must be located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.
- Rules are subject to rules or regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal under the cited gasoline and volatile-oils statute.
- The county must exempt municipalities located wholly or partly within the county when the municipal building code is equal to the county regulation and local authorities are enforcing that municipal code.
- The rules apply throughout the county, but municipalities may establish higher standards.
- The rules do not apply to construction or alteration of buildings or structures used or to be used for agricultural purposes on a tract zoned and used for agricultural purposes.
- The county board must follow the publication and posting requirements in 55 ILCS 5/5-1063.
- Beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, a county adopting a new building code or amending an existing building code must provide the building-code identification to the Capital Development Board under Section 10.18 at least 30 days before adoption.
- Violations are petty offenses, and enforcement is by an officer designated by county-board resolution.
- The provision expressly authorizes county building-construction and building-code rules, but the opened text does not expressly use the phrase residential building permit requirement.
population threshold: <= 1000000 persons (The county must be located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.) · pre-adoption identification period: >= 30 days (Applies to a new building code or amendment under the stated amendatory-Act provision.)
“The county board in any county with a population not in excess of 1,000,000 located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission may prescribe by resolution or ordinance reasonable rules and regulations (a) governing the construction and alteration of all buildings and structures and parts and appurtenances thereof and governing the maintenance thereof in a condition reasonably safe from the hazards of fire, explosion, collapse, contagion and the spread of infectious disease”
55 ILCS 5/5-1064 — Buildings in certain counties of less than 1,000,000 population ↗Re-checked Oct 1, 2026
One more reviewed finding on this topic
- General — Illinois counties adopting and enforcing building codes and issuing building permits for residential construction in unincorporated areas, subject to the statewide baseline framework.
  “A municipality or county is not required to adopt building codes. If they do NOT adopt a building code then they are considered a non-building code jurisdiction and section 10.09-1 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105) applies. If they do adopt a building code(s) then it must comply with section 10.18 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105).”
  Illinois Codes FAQ ↗Re-checked Sep 26, 2026

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

Zoning districts — Published zoning districts and zoning maps in Edgar County.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling-size requirements in Edgar County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot-size requirements in Edgar County.
Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in Edgar County.
Living in an RV — Long-term or permanent RV occupancy on private land in Edgar County.

4 more unanswered

Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Accessory dwellings
Subdividing land

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.

Living off-grid in Edgar County, Illinois

Is Edgar County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Edgar County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (42″/yr rainfall).

How much does land cost in Edgar County, Illinois?

Land in Edgar County runs about $10,162 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Edgar County?

Edgar County gets about 42" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.6% of years.

How remote is Edgar County?

A representative private-land location has about 5,579 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,600,928 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Edgar County, Illinois