Zoning, building permits and septic rules in East Galena Township, Illinois

Rules another office applies inside East Galena Township

East Galena 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 permitRequired

  New houses, accessory buildings, decks, structural changes, and electrical or plumbing work on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Accessory structures under 120 square feet with no electrical or plumbing do not require a building permit but must still comply with zoning setbacks.
  • Municipal residents should check local rules; the county permit applies only outside municipalities.

  accessory structure exemption threshold: < 120 sq ft (only if no electrical or plumbing)

  “A permit must be obtained prior to beginning any construction or excavation.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building construction on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Adopted codes listed as effective 01/01/2025 include IBC 2021, IRC 2021, IMC 2021, IFGC 2021, State of Illinois Plumbing Code 2014, IECC 2021 as adopted and amended by Illinois, 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code, and NEC 2020.
  • Full list with amendments is on the county website per the permit document.

  “The following Technical codes have been adopted and made a part of the Building Code, effective 01/01/2025:”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted construction on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Inspection calls required at framing, rough mechanical and electric, post-insulation for conditioned space, and final (ready for occupancy).

  “Inspections are required. Call the Planning & Development Department at (815) 591-3810 before the work is ready.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings constructed on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Building may not be occupied until the final occupancy certificate is issued.

  “DO NOT OCCUPY BUILDING UNTIL FINAL OCCUPANCY CERTIFICATE HAS BEEN ISSUED”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  County zoning districts that apply to unincorporated land inside East Galena township (outside any municipality)

  • Only districts named on official county forms were confirmed (AG-1 general agriculture; AG; R-1). The full district map and district schedule of Title 8 were not opened.
  • Applies only outside incorporated municipalities.

  “The Jo Daviess County Zoning Ordinance allows for the permitting of agricultural structures on land zoned Ag-1 General Agriculture.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  AG (agricultural) district, unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Side and rear setbacks as stated in the county building permit requirements; the source does not state a front setback for AG.
  • Frontage setbacks from roads are separate (see the frontage claim).

  side setback: 20 ft · rear setback: 40 ft

  “Side & Rear Setbacks. (In Ag & R-1, Side setback is 20’, & Rear setback is 40’)”

  2 more reviewed findings on this topic

  • District specific (with conditions) — R-1 (residential) district, unincorporated land inside East Galena township

    “Side & Rear Setbacks. (In Ag & R-1, Side setback is 20’, & Rear setback is 40’)”

  • Specified — Lots fronting township roads on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

    “Township Roads: 50 ft from the property line/ 80 ft from the centerline of the roadway”

• Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Impervious (nonpermeable) lot coverage on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Numeric limits are set by zoning district in the ordinance; the district figures were not opened.
  • Call the planning office to confirm the limit for a given parcel.

  “Jo Daviess County does have limits on how much of your land can be covered in non-permeable surface. Please see the ordinance for your zoning district, or call the Planning & Development office to see what your property has”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage (septic) systems on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • The permit is issued by the county environmental health department, not the township.
  • Municipal sewer or septic rules inside incorporated cities are separate.

  “You or your septic contractor, are required to obtain a septic permit from the Jo Daviess County Environmental Health Department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New septic systems for homes built on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • A septic permit or sign-off must be issued before the building permit is issued.

  “A septic permit or sign off must be issued prior to the issuance of a building permit.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Agricultural exemption under county zoning for land inside East Galena township

  • The applicant must submit a notarized agricultural exemption statement and affidavit with proof of farming involvement (Schedule F, grain or livestock receipts).
  • Agricultural structures are permitted only on land zoned AG-1 and only if used primarily as accessory to agricultural purposes.

  “An Agricultural Use structure will only be permitted if it is determined to be used primarily as an accessory to the agricultural purpose as defined herein:”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Creating lots on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Subdividing is needed when lots are created from a larger piece and are smaller than 5 acres, or when creating a new easement of access.
  • Subdivision regulations are county Title 9; the Title 9 text was not opened.
  • Rezoning and subdivision require a public hearing before the planning commission and county board approval.

  subdivision threshold: < 5 acres (or when creating a new easement of access)

  “Subdividing is needed when lot(s) are being created from a larger piece and are smaller than 5 acres or are creating a new easement of access.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development inside a special flood hazard area on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Applies only if the project is in an area vulnerable to floodwaters; elevation certificate required under the ordinance.
  • Flood area development permit is a separate permit line on the county fee schedule.

  “No person, firm, corporation, or governmental body not exempted by law shall commence any development in the floodplain without first obtaining a development permit from the floodplain officer.”

• Short-term rentalsLimited

  Short-term rentals (guest accommodations program) on unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Guest accommodations require a county license under the guest accommodations ordinance (Title 4, Chapter 6) and different requirements than a single-family house.

  “This ordinance, which went into effect on January 11, 2000, requires that all transient rental property be licensed by the County.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit fees for unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Full fee schedule (fee schedule as of 12-12-2024) is posted on the county website; the schedule was not opened.
  • Additional inspection fees apply when inspections are needed due to work not ready or continuing violations.

  building permit fee: 4 USD per $1,000 of cost value (value x 0.004)

  “Building Permit fee Schedule $4.00 per thousand dollar cost value (Value x 0.004)”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Permit process for unincorporated land inside East Galena township

  • Permits are issued by the county Planning & Development Department, 1 Commercial Drive, Suite 1, Hanover, IL; address, septic and building permits are typically issued together.
  • Plans review, zoning certificate and occupancy certificate are issued by the same department.

  “The Planning and Development Department is responsible for administering and enforcing the County's building code, zoning ordinance, Guest Accommodations Ordinance, Subdivision Regulations, and Telecommunications Ordinance, including: reviewing building plans; issuing building permits, zoning certificates, occupancy certificates, and Guest Accommodations Licenses; inspecting buildings under construction; and providing information to contractors, individuals, and others on code and ordinance requirements.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask East Galena Township or Jo Daviess County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for unincorporated land inside East Galena township
• Local zoning — Zoning of land inside East Galena township limits
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for unincorporated land inside East Galena township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for AG and R-1 districts on unincorporated land inside East Galena township
• Building height — Maximum building height on unincorporated land inside East Galena 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.