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

Essex Township’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New homes and other listed construction on unincorporated land inside Essex Township.

  • The handbook says building activity in unincorporated county areas may require a permit and directs applicants to contact staff if unsure whether a particular project requires one.
  • Listed examples requiring a permit include new homes and additions, manufactured homes, fences, pools, decks, alterations, water and sewer lines, sheds, barns, and demolition.

  “Building activity in the unincorporated areas of the County may require a building permit. Below are examples of projects which require a building permit, however if you are unsure as to whether your specific project requires a building permit please contact a staff person.”

• Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Projects using the county house/addition/garage/pole-building permit process on unincorporated land inside Essex Township.

  • The permit application still requires applicable contractor information and other listed materials.
  • For plumbing done by the owner, the application says the owner will be asked to complete a plumbing affidavit.

  “Home owner may do all the work on their project.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Essex Township subject to Kankakee County building administration.

  • County handbook states its building codes apply to county residents and identifies building activity in unincorporated areas as the relevant permit area.
  • The handbook lists 2003 IRC, 2003 IBC, 2003 International Property Maintenance Code, 2003 International Fuel Gas Code, 2003 International Fire Code, 2003 International Mechanical Code, 2005 National Electrical Code, 2003 International Energy Conservation Code, 2004 Illinois Plumbing Code, and 1997 Illinois Accessibility Code.

  “Building Codes have been adopted by the County to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all County residents.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Essex Township; Kankakee County, rather than Essex Township, administers zoning there.

  • The cited county rule applies only to parcels outside municipal boundaries; incorporated areas within the township require separate municipal research.

  “Kankakee County regulates the zoning for parcels located outside of municipal boundaries.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage systems serving property inside Essex Township.

  • This finding concerns private sewage systems; municipal sewer requirements were not established by the sources opened.

  “KCHD Issues septic system permits, conducts inspections to ensure proper installation, conducts evaluation of existing systems, conducts dye tests to determine possible failures, evaluates findings, and makes recommendations.”

• Septic permitRequired

  New, repaired, or modified private sewage disposal systems inside Essex Township.

  • Plan approval from the department or local authority is required before construction or repair.
  • Normal approval is expected in approximately seven to ten days but is not guaranteed because schedules or site conditions may vary.
  • A test hole seven feet deep may be required to determine water-table and bedrock conditions.

  “A sewage permit is required for a new installation or any repair work or modification to an existing system.”

• Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

  Private onsite sewage disposal systems inside Essex Township.

  • A sewage permit and prior plan approval are required before construction or repair.
  • A licensed state-and-county installer is generally required; a homeowner may install the entire system only if they live on site, but still needs a permit.

  “Only a state and county licensed installer can legally do any work on an onsite sewage disposal system, although homeowners may install their own systems if they live on the site and will install the entire system. A permit is still required for the homeowner.”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction of private wells inside Essex Township where public water is not available.

  • KCHD conditions this program on areas where public water is not available.
  • KCHD conducts installation inspections.

  “KCHD issues well permits for the construction of private wells in areas where public water is not available, conducting inspections to assure proper installation.”

• Subdividing landLimited

  Land-development or property-division projects on unincorporated land inside Essex Township.

  • Projects may require review by several agencies or departments.
  • After review, projects are forwarded to the Planning, Zoning and Agriculture Committee for recommendation and the County Board makes the final decision.

  “Projects involving the development of land or the division of property may need to be reviewed by several agencies and/or departments. Once the review process for these projects are complete they are forwarded to the Planning, Zoning and Agriculture Committee for a recommendation to the County Board. The County Board will review this recommendation and render a final decision.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Floodplain development on unincorporated land inside Essex Township.

  • Floodplain permits may require approval from the Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, or both.

  “Floodplain permits may need the approval of either the Army Corp of Engineers or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources or both.”

Still unanswered

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

• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Essex Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for buildings inside Essex Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Essex Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Essex Township.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Essex 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.