Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Orion Township, Illinois

Orion Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Erection, reconstruction, structural alteration, and use of buildings and premises in Orion Township that are subject to Fulton County zoning jurisdiction.

  • The permit and compliance certificate are required under the Fulton County Zoning Ordinance.
  • The application states that a permit does not authorize a use prohibited by the county zoning ordinance or other county codes or regulations.
  • The applicant must provide the specified application information and attachments.

  “Application is hereby made for a Permit and a Compliance Certificate as required under the Zoning Ordinance of the County of Fulton for the erection, reconstruction, or structural alteration, and use of buildings and premises.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Completed permitted construction in Orion Township subject to Fulton County zoning jurisdiction.

  • Upon completion, the applicant must notify the Zoning Officer.
  • The officer then inspects the premises and issues or refuses the Zoning Compliance Certificate.

  “The applicant further agrees that UPON COMPLETION OF THE CONSTRUCTION THEY WILL NOTIFY THE ZONING OFFICER, WHO SHALL THEN INSPECT THE PREMISES AND ISSUE OR REFUSE TO ISSUE A Zoning Compliance Certificate.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land in Orion Township subject to Fulton County zoning jurisdiction; the operative zoning ordinance is administered by Fulton County, not identified in the opened material as a Township ordinance.

  • The county ordinance divides land into mapped zoning districts.
  • Properties inside corporate boundaries of an incorporated community require that community's permits and zoning information.

  “SECTION 2 DISTRICTS AND BOUNDARIES A. DISTRICTS: Fulton County is divided into five specific zoning districts. 1. AC Agriculture/Conservation 2. R-l Residential 3. R-2 Residential 4. B Business 5. I Industrial”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Land in Orion Township subject to Fulton County zoning jurisdiction.

  • District boundaries are shown on the attached District Map, whose original is on file with the Fulton County Clerk.
  • The applicable district must be determined from that map.

  published zoning districts: AC Agriculture/Conservation; R-1 Residential; R-2 Residential; B Business; I Industrial

  “SECTION 2 DISTRICTS AND BOUNDARIES A. DISTRICTS: Fulton County is divided into five specific zoning districts. 1. AC Agriculture/Conservation 2. R-l Residential 3. R-2 Residential 4. B Business 5. I Industrial”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Orion Township, which is within Fulton County.

  • The permit is issued by the Fulton County Health Department.
  • The applicant must comply with the ordinance and Board of Health rules and regulations.
  • Permits are not transferable and apply only to the specified location, building, or place.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, renovate, alter, or extend a private sewage disposal system within the county unless he/she holds a valid permit issued by the Fulton County Health Department stating the name of such person for which the specific construction, renovation, alteration or extension is proposed.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, renovation, alteration, or extension of a private sewage disposal system inside Orion Township.

  • The property owner must obtain the permit before work begins.
  • The application must be completed, signed, dated, include all required fees, and contain the required plans, system, soil, owner, and other information.
  • A site plan must show any sanitary sewer available within 200 feet of the property.

  sanitary sewer availability distance: <= 200 feet (Must be shown on the permit application site plan if available to within this distance of the property.)

  “It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to obtain a Private Sewage Disposal Permit before any construction, renovation, alteration or extension to the system is initiated.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installed private sewage disposal systems inside Orion Township.

  • The system may not be covered or placed in operation until inspected and approved in writing by the Health Officer.
  • Final approval follows visual inspection for compliance with applicable law and Board of Health rules.
  • Owner or occupant must give access for necessary inspections.

  “Any private sewage disposal system that has been installed shall not be covered or placed in operation until the installation has been inspected and approved in writing by the Health Officer.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private, off-grid sewage disposal systems inside Orion Township.

  • Construction, renovation, alteration, or extension requires a valid Fulton County Health Department permit.
  • The owner must apply before work begins.
  • The installed system cannot be covered or operated before inspection and written approval.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, renovate, alter, or extend a private sewage disposal system within the county unless he/she holds a valid permit issued by the Fulton County Health Department stating the name of such person for which the specific construction, renovation, alteration or extension is proposed.”

• Driveway accessRequired

  A new entrance or driveway in Orion Township that accesses a Fulton County road.

  • The permit must be submitted to the Fulton County Department of Public Works & Highways.
  • The County Engineer advises on required pipe size and required surface type in county rights-of-way.
  • For a township, state, federal, or municipal road, the applicant must contact that road's proper jurisdiction.

  “If you will be putting in an entrance/driveway off of a county road, you will need to fill out a permit and submit it to the Fulton County Department of Public Works & Highways.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Floodplain development inside Orion Township subject to Fulton County floodplain administration.

  • No work may start until the application is approved and a permit is issued.
  • False statements can result in permit revocation and work must cease until reissuance.
  • The applicant consents to inspections required to verify compliance.
  • If outside engineering review is required, the applicant receives a written estimate of review fees before review.

  “This permit application shall be required when any type of “development” is proposed within the “regulatory floodplain.””

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning-permit process for land in Orion Township subject to Fulton County zoning jurisdiction.

  • Required information includes owner and applicant names, parcel index number, proposed building use, well and septic permit numbers and copies when applicable, 911 address, a detailed sketch, proposed structure location with approximate measurements, and other requested form information.
  • A substantial start must be made within one year or the permit becomes null and void.
  • The applicant must notify the Zoning Officer upon completion for inspection and issuance or refusal of a Zoning Compliance Certificate.

  permit substantial-start period: <= 1 year (If no work has begun, the permit becomes null and void.)

  “Required Information to obtain a “Zoning Permit” Property Owner Name and Applicant Name (if different from Owner) Parcel Index Number Proposed Use of Building Well and Septic Permit Numbers & Copies of permits (if applicable) 911 Address (If one doesn’t exist, please call 309-547-3911 to obtain one) Detailed Sketch of the proposed structure Proposed location of new structure on parcel (with approximate measurements) All other requested information contained on the form”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Orion Township.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for land inside Orion Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for buildings inside Orion Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Principal single-family dwellings inside Orion Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Orion 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.