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

Rules another office applies inside Levan Township

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

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

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

  • The ordinance defines the Health Department as an agency of the Jackson County Board of Health.
  • This claim concerns private sewage disposal systems, not public sewer service.

  “HEALTH DEPARTMENT shall mean the Jackson County Health Department, an agency of the Jackson County Board of Health.”

• Septic permitRequired

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

  • Permit is issued only to a contractor holding a valid Jackson County registration certificate or a homeowner installing a system for the homeowner's own personal single-family residence.
  • Application must be complete and signed, with a complete disposal-facility plan and supporting compliance data.
  • The permit is valid six months; the Administrator may grant a written-request extension for unusual or extenuating circumstances.
  • A permit may be refused where public or community sewerage is available.

  “2.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend a private sewage disposal system within Jackson County unless he holds a valid permit issued by the Health Department.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  New private sewage disposal systems inside Levan Township.

  • The system may not be covered or operated until it has been inspected and the Health Department has issued written approval.
  • Except in emergency health-and-safety situations, an owner or authorized occupant may refuse inspection access; the Health Authority may seek an administrative search warrant after refusal.

  “A private sewage disposal system [...] 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.”

• Well permitRequired

  New private water wells inside Levan Township, except community water wells.

  • The state program operates through agreements with local health departments.
  • The cited state page addresses new well construction and separately states that IDPH regulates construction, modification, and sealing of all non-community wells.

  “To ensure the safety of these water supplies, the IDPH and local health departments review water well installation plans, issue permits for new well construction, and inspect wells.”

• Subdividing landLimited

  Subdivision plans inside Levan Township insofar as they concern existing or potential private sewage disposal systems.

  • This is septic-related subdivision plan review; it does not establish comprehensive land-subdivision regulation.
  • The ordinance schedules a $100 subdivision-plan-review fee.

  subdivision plan review fee: 100 USD (Private-sewage subdivision plan review.)

  “SUBDIVISION PLAN REVIEW: The consideration of plans, documents and other information which support the proposed division of land into two or more parcels and results in the Health Department issuing an opinion or recommendations in relation to the location or placement of existing or potential private sewage disposal systems.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Private sewage permits for land inside Levan Township.

  • The fee is collected when the application is submitted and returned if the permit is denied.
  • A fee-waived permit may be issued to nonprofit organizations.
  • Additional listed fees apply to design of plans, percolation-test reading, subdivision plan review, and requested site visits.

  private sewage permit fee: 230 USD (Construction, alteration, or extension of a private sewage disposal system.)

  “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.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Private sewage system permit applications for land inside Levan Township.

  • Only the homeowner or a person with a valid Jackson County Contractor's Registration may apply.
  • The $230 fee must be paid before construction.
  • A floodplain determination and land-use approval must accompany the application; properties outside the named municipal jurisdictions are directed to the Jackson County Assessor's Office.
  • For properties under one acre, other documents may be required.
  • A site visit and completed requirements precede issuance; permit is valid six months and written extension request must precede expiration.
  • JCHD must receive 48-hour preconstruction notice for routine field visits.

  preconstruction notice: >= 48 hours (Notice to the health department before beginning construction.)

  “ONLY after the environmentalist has made the site visit and all application requirements are met, will JCHD issue the permit”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Residential building construction inside Levan Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — General residential building construction inside Levan Township.
• Building code adopted — Building-code adoption for land inside Levan Township.
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Levan Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential occupancy inside Levan 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.