Zoning, building permits and septic rules in St. Francis Township, Illinois

Rules another office applies inside St. Francis Township

St. Francis 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 permitNot required

  County building and certificate-of-occupancy permits in unincorporated Effingham County, including unincorporated land in St. Francis township

  • Municipal permits may apply in incorporated areas and within the 1.5-mile extraterritorial radius of Effingham and Teutopolis.
  • Permits/approvals are required for work in county and township rights-of-way.
  • Septic (county health department) and other separate permits still apply.
  • Letter does not name St. Francis township.

  “this letter states zoning does not currently exist in effingham county; therefore, building permits or 'certificate of occupancy' permits in unincorporated areas of effingham county are not required.”

• Local zoningAbsent

  Unincorporated land in Effingham County, which includes land in St. Francis township outside any municipality or municipal extraterritorial zoning area. No township zoning ordinance was found.

  • Zoning may exist in incorporated areas and within one and one-half mile radius of incorporated areas (e.g. Effingham and Teutopolis) that enforce extra-territorial jurisdiction; contact the adjacent municipality.
  • The letter is a county-level statement and does not name St. Francis township.
  • Building setback along most county and state highways is 90 feet from centerline; recommended 40 feet from township road centerline (not a zoning rule).
  • Height restrictions exist around Effingham County Memorial Airport.

  “this letter states zoning does not currently exist in effingham county; therefore, building permits or 'certificate of occupancy' permits in unincorporated areas of effingham county are not required.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems in Effingham County, including inside St. Francis township; permit issued by the Effingham County Health Department

  • Minimum lot size for a residential structure on private sewage disposal is one acre or as set by the county subdivision ordinance, whichever is greater.
  • Health department may refuse a permit where a sanitary sewer is available (within 200 feet for single-family residence).
  • Permit valid six months; health department acts within 15 days.

  sewer availability distance, single-family: <= 200 feet (1,000 feet for commercial, subdivision or multi-family)

  “it shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend individual domestic sewage disposal systems within the county unless he or she holds a valid permit issued by the health department”

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.