Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Watson, Illinois

Rules another office applies inside Village of Watson

Village of Watson 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

  Lots for a residence that needs a private sewage disposal system inside Watson village; this is a health rule, not a Watson zoning district setting

  • The minimum is one acre or the county subdivision ordinance figure, whichever is greater (Sec. 51.03(a)).
  • The health department may require a larger lot for drainage, soil or other health reasons.
  • Lots platted and approved before the ordinance take a variance, and a smaller lot may be allowed on a soil investigation or percolation tests.

  minimum lot size for residence with private sewage system: >= 1 acre (or the county subdivision ordinance figure if greater)

  “minimum lot size for a residential structure requiring a private sewage disposal system, shall be one acre in size or as established by the county subdivision ordinance (chapter 150 of this code of ordinances), whichever is greater.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Septic system permits and enforcement for land inside Watson village, which is within the Effingham County health ordinance

  • Applications go to the Effingham County Health Department. The ordinance adopts the state Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code (225 ILCS 225) by reference (Sec. 51.02).
  • County ID 17049 is derived from the Effingham County FIPS code, not taken from the input record; the input lists county_fips as null.

  “all applications for permits granted under the provision of this chapter shall be made to the health department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing, altering or extending an individual domestic sewage disposal system inside Watson village, which lies within Effingham County and is covered by the county health ordinance

  • Permit is issued by the Effingham County Health Department to the homeowner or a licensed private sewage disposal system installation contractor (Sec. 51.04(c)).
  • The permit is valid for six months from issuance and is void if construction has not started in that period (Sec. 51.04(g)).
  • The health department may refuse a septic permit where a sanitary sewer is available (see utility_connection claim).
  • The ordinance text reviewed contains no village exemption. Watson village's own sewer or septic rules were not located, so any village rule is unverified.

  initial construction permit fee: 100 USD (charged for the initial construction permit, alteration or extension of an individual sewage system (Sec. 51.04(j)))

  “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”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction or deepening of a potable water well inside Watson village, which is within Effingham County

  • Permit comes from the county health department (Sec. 50.08(a)).
  • The health department must be notified by telephone or in writing at least 48 hours before work starts on a well for which a permit was issued (Sec. 50.10).
  • Well drillers and pump installers must be licensed by the state (Sec. 50.11).
  • A non-community public water supply needs a state permit (Sec. 50.08(c)).
  • The permit fee equals the current state fee for the same permit (Sec. 50.09).

  “the county health department shall be notified by telephone or in writing at least 48 hours prior to the commencement of any work to construct or deepen a water well for which a permit has been issued”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A new home inside Watson village that would use a private septic system, where a public sanitary sewer may be available

  • Sewer counts as available when a sanitary sewer line is in place in a street, alley, right-of-way or easement adjoining the premises, or when a connection is practical and permitted within a reasonable distance. That distance is not greater than 200 feet for a single-family residence (Sec. 51.04(e)).
  • Water connection: no Watson village water-connection rule was found. Water is therefore unknown.

  reasonable distance to public sewer, single-family residence: <= 200 feet (up to 1,000 feet for commercial, subdivision or multi-family uses)

  “a reasonable distance for the purpose of this provision shall be deemed to be not greater than 200 feet for a single-family residence and not greater than 1,000 feet for a commercial establishment, subdivision or multi-family dwelling.”

• Subdividing landLimited

  Subdividing property inside Watson village, for the soil and septic part of the review only

  • Health department may require soil absorption information or changes to the plat so each lot can support an approved septic system (Sec. 51.03(b)).
  • The county subdivision ordinance was not opened, so its platting rules for Watson village are unverified.

  “the health department shall require persons who subdivide property to furnish information concerning soil absorption capacities, or require changes in a proposed subdivision plat”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Septic construction permit fee for a system inside Watson village, which is within Effingham County

  • The $100 fee is stated in the ordinance. No separate county fee schedule was located.
  • Well permit fees are set at the current state fee (Sec. 50.09).

  initial septic construction permit fee: 100 USD (initial construction permit, alteration or extension)

  “there shall be a $100 fee charged for the initial construction permit, alteration or extension of an individual sewage system as approved by the health department.”

• Permit processPartial

  Septic permit process for a system inside Watson village; well and building steps are not covered here

  • Health department acts on applications within 15 days of receipt (Sec. 51.04(f)).
  • Applications are made on forms from the health department and must be signed, with the name, address, site location and a complete plan (Sec. 51.04(d)).
  • Soil tests need at least one day's notice to the health department, which may supervise them (Sec. 51.04(h)).

  health department action time: <= 15 days (from receipt of application)

  “the health department shall act upon all applications within 15 days of receipt thereof.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Watson or Effingham County directly.

• Building permit — Building permits for new homes inside Watson village
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from village permits or inspections
• Building code adopted — Whether Watson village adopts a building code
• Inspections — Building inspections for work inside Watson village
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificates of occupancy for buildings inside Watson village

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.