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

Rules another office applies inside Blackberry Township

Blackberry 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 construction, remodel, repair or demolition on properties in the unincorporated part of Blackberry township (Kane County, IL)

  • Applies only to unincorporated land; properties in incorporated parts of the township follow that municipality's rules.
  • Construction proceeds after the permit is issued; payment is due after approval.

  “Building permits are required for all new construction, remodel, repair or demolition projects on properties in unincorporated Kane County.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Building construction on unincorporated land in Blackberry township (Kane County, IL); incorporated parts of the township (e.g., Elburn) are not covered by this county statement

  • Kane County states that it has adopted the listed codes; amendments in the Kane County Code may apply in some cases.
  • Fire safety is handled by the applicable fire protection district, per the county page.

  “Kane County has adopted the following building codes: 2021 International Residential Code”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts for unincorporated land in Blackberry township; the county zoning atlas and ordinance govern there, and incorporated parts of the township are zoned by their municipalities

  • The atlas is organized by map section and links to the county zoning ordinance; the district text was not opened.

  “click map section for detail zoning ordinance zoning board of appeals”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Lots in single family residence districts created by subdivision on unincorporated land in Blackberry township; the F (farming) district lot-area standard was not located

  • Minimums apply to subdivided lots under the county subdivision regulations.
  • Lot area is 40,000 sq ft or larger for individual water and septic; smaller minimums apply where community water or sewer is available.
  • F-district minimum lot area in Article VIII was not located on the page read.

  minimum lot area, individual water supply and septic: >= 40000 sq ft (single family residence districts) · minimum lot area, community water only: >= 30000 sq ft (single family residence districts, no community sewer) · minimum lot area, community sewer only: >= 20000 sq ft (no community water) · minimum lot area, community water and sewer: >= 10000 sq ft (both community water supply and community sewer available)

  “In single family residence districts where lots are forty thousand (40,000) square feet in area, or larger, individual water supply and septic systems are permitted.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Principal buildings on unincorporated land in Blackberry township, measured from the road right-of-way line (Kane County Zoning Ordinance section 25-7-5-2)

  • Exceptions in 25-7-5-2 subsections a through g apply, including an established-average setback rule for recorded frontage.
  • Corner lot and other district-specific setbacks were not verified; F-district setbacks in Article VIII still need checking.

  minimum setback from road right-of-way line: >= 35 feet (25-7-5-2 subsections a through g and established-average setback rule)

  “is nearer than thirty five feet (35') to the road right of way line”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Septic systems on unincorporated land inside Blackberry township (Kane County Health Department handles private sewage permits)

  • The county's private sewage rules and the Kane County Health Department administer septic permits; public sewer connection rules may bar a septic system (see utility_connection).

  “for information regarding food service, well, and or septic system permit requirements, please refer to the environmental health permits and fees page on the kane county health department's website.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New home or business septic systems, and upgrades or added capacity, on unincorporated land in Blackberry township

  • A soil evaluation is required with every application for a new system or a renovation involving the septic field.
  • Work must be done by a licensed septic contractor.
  • Public sewer connection is required unless the exception applies (see utility_connection).

  “you are either constructing a new home or business, need to upgrade a failing or insufficient system, or add capacity due to increased demands on your system, a kchd septic permit is required.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Individual septic systems for new homes on unincorporated land in Blackberry township

  • A new private system is allowed only where the parcel does not have access to public sewer, subject to the county health permit and the hardship exception.
  • Alternative systems (aerobic treatment units) may be required if soils are unsuitable; the county requires service contracts for aerobic units.

  “If you need a new system, ensure you do not have access to public sewer.”

• Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

  New homes on unincorporated land in Blackberry township where public sewer is available

  • Public sewer connection is required unless the access would require more than a 4-inch pipe or creates an undue hardship; hardship requires documentation with the septic permit application.
  • No county or township water-connection requirement was found on the pages opened; water connection is left unverified.

  public sewer exception: access requires more than a 4-inch pipe or creates an undue hardship

  “Unless access to public sewer requires more than a 4-inch pipe or creates an undue hardship, you will need to connect to public sewer.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions into subdivided lots on unincorporated land in Blackberry township

  • Subdivisions must comply with the Kane County Subdivision Regulations; lot sizes depend on water and sewer availability.
  • Subdivisions must also comply with the zoning ordinance and the sewage treatment and disposal rules when securing building permits.

  “The design of a subdivision shall conform to the generalized land use plan, the planning and development policies, the Zoning Ordinance”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit application process for unincorporated land in Blackberry township

  • Applications are submitted through the electronic Kane County web portal; special accommodations exist if a digital application cannot be submitted.
  • Payment is due after the permit is approved.

  “submit your application and any additional required documents via the electronic Kane County Web Portal.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for homes in Blackberry township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes in Blackberry township
• Local zoning — Whether Blackberry township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Blackberry township
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in Blackberry 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.