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

Rules another office applies inside Degognia Township

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

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  A homeowner installing a private sewage disposal system serving the homeowner's personal single-family residence inside Degognia Township.

  • This is a septic-system exception only, not evidence of a general owner-builder exemption from building regulation.
  • The homeowner's system must serve the homeowner's personal single-family residence.
  • The system remains subject to the County ordinance, permit, standards, inspection, and written approval requirements.

  “a permit shall only be issued to a private sewage disposal system contractor who holds a valid private sewage disposal system contractor’s registration certificate issued to him by the jackson county health department or a home owner installing a private sewage disposal system to serve his own personal single family residence.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Degognia Township, which is within Jackson County, Illinois.

  • The Jackson County Health Department is an agency of the Jackson County Board of Health.
  • The County ordinance applies within Jackson County limits.

  “health department shall mean the jackson county health department, an agency of the jackson county board of health.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage disposal systems installed inside Degognia Township.

  • The property owner or authorized occupant may refuse access except in emergency health and safety situations; the Health Authority may seek an administrative search warrant after refusal.
  • A homeowner-installed system may not be covered or operated until inspection and written approval.
  • The responsible person must notify the Health Department no later than the day before installation work begins; the procedures document directs 48 hours' notice before construction.
  • If a covered system is not uncovered after 15 days' written notice, the permit is automatically invalidated and penalty action may occur.

  notice to uncover covered system: 15 days (Applies after Health Department written notice.)

  “a private sewage disposal system which has been installed by a home owner for his own personal single family residence; or by a contractor, occupant, agent, servant or representative of any such person shall not be covered or placed in operation unless specifically authorized by the health department until the said installation shall have been inspected and written approval of the said system shall have been issued by the health department.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private sewage disposal systems used for onsite sanitation inside Degognia Township.

  • Construction, alteration, or extension requires a valid Health Department permit.
  • A private sewage system serving more than one property is prohibited unless common property is jointly owned by users or the system is under public jurisdiction or managed by a maintenance district.
  • Direct or indirect discharge of domestic sewage or septic effluent to a stream, ditch, ground surface, or abandoned well is unlawful and a nuisance.

  “it shall be unlawful for any owner, agent, occupant, or person in control of any lot, building or private sewage disposal system, to permit or cause the discharge of domestic sewage or the effluent from any septic tank or primary sewage treatment device directly or indirectly to any stream, ditch, ground surface or abandoned well [...] all such acts or omissions are hereby declared nuisances.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A property inside Degognia Township seeking a permit for a private sewage disposal system where public sewer may be available.

  • The Board of Health or authorized representative may refuse the private-sewage permit where public or community sewerage is available.
  • A public sewer is available when its line adjoins or abuts the premises, or when connection is practical and permitted by its controlling authority.
  • The stated reasonable-distance limit is 300 feet for a single-family residence and 1,000 feet for a commercial establishment or multifamily dwelling.

  single-family reasonable sewer distance: <= 300 feet (Connection must be practical and permitted by the controlling authority.) · commercial or multifamily reasonable sewer distance: <= 1000 feet (Connection must be practical and permitted by the controlling authority.)

  “a reasonable distance for the purpose of this provision shall be deemed to be not greater than 300 feet for a single family residence and not greater than 1,000 feet for a commercial establishment or multi-family dwelling.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal permits inside Degognia Township.

  • The $230 permit fee is collected when the application is submitted and returned if the permit is denied.
  • A fee-waived permit may be issued to non-profit organizations.

  private sewage disposal permit fee: 230 USD (Returned if permit is denied; may be waived for non-profit organizations.) · subdivision plan review fee: 100 USD

  “there shall be a standard $230.00 permit fee charged for the issuance of a permit authorizing the construction, alteration or extension of any private sewage disposal system. the fee shall be collected by the health department at the time an application for permit is submitted, and shall be deposited into the health department fund. if a permit is denied, the fee shall be returned to the applicant.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential building work inside Degognia Township.
• Building code adopted — Residential construction inside Degognia Township.
• Inspections — Residential construction inside Degognia Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Degognia Township.
• Local zoning — Land inside Degognia Township, Jackson County, Illinois.

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.