Bolthole Index

Kankakee County, Illinois

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Grant Park, Illinois

The Village of Grant Park, Illinois requires a building permit for construction, alterations and demolition inside village limits, and the village administers its own zoning ordinance12. Building permits are filed with the village building department, not the county. Septic permits and wells are a separate question that we could not confirm for village lots; the Kankakee County Health Department handles septic permits countywide3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required inside village limits, filed with the village building department14
Zoning
Village-run zoning ordinance (Title 9 of the village code)2
Building code
Village has adopted the International Building and Residential Codes5
Septic
Kankakee County Health Department issues septic permits in the county; village-lot rules unconfirmed3
Certificate of occupancy
Required after inspection before a building is used6
Minimum lot depth
120 feet average depth7

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Grant Park (Village Hall and Building Inspector)

Building permit applications and building inspection inside Grant Park village limits; zoning questions

815-465-6531

106 W. Taylor Street

Septic permits

Kankakee County Health Department, Environmental Health / Septic Program

Septic system permits and installation inspections in Kankakee County

815-802-9400

2390 W Station St, Kankakee, IL 60901

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Grant Park means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Grant Park, Illinois?

Yes. Inside Grant Park village limits, it is unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure, or change its use, without a building permit1. The application is filed in writing with the village building department before work begins4.

Permits expire if work has not started within six months, though one 90-day extension is possible4. When the work is done, the village inspects it and issues a certificate of occupancy before the building can be used6. We did not find an owner-builder exemption in the village code, so assume a homeowner needs a permit too and confirm with the Village Hall.

The Kankakee County Building Division's rules cover only unincorporated land, so they do not apply to a lot inside Grant Park8.

Who issues building permits in Grant Park, and how do you reach them?

The village issues them. The Village of Grant Park website says: "To obtain a Building Permit application please visit the Village Hall"9. The Village Hall phone is 815-465-6531 and the address is 106 W. Taylor Street9.

The village has adopted the International Building Code and International Residential Code, along with plumbing, electrical, mechanical and other technical codes, as its building codes5. We could not confirm the current permit fee schedule, so ask the Village Hall for a fee estimate before you budget.

Does Grant Park have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and lot size?

Yes. The village administers its own zoning ordinance, Title 9 of the village code, with residential, commercial, industrial and specialty districts and a zoning map210.

Lot dimensions must meet the rules of the lot's zoning district, and no lot may have an average depth under 120 feet7. Angular lots in residential zones need at least 70 feet of width at the building setback line7. Dividing a lot must follow the village subdivision regulations11.

We could not confirm district minimum lot areas, setbacks, minimum home size, or rules on RVs, tiny homes, accessory dwellings and manufactured homes. Ask the Village Hall which district a parcel is in before you buy.

How do septic permits work for a lot in Grant Park?

We could not confirm who regulates septic systems on a lot inside Grant Park village limits, or whether a given lot must connect to public sewer. Water is clearer: the village withholds water service to new residential construction until assessments are paid and a certificate of compliance is issued12.

For Kankakee County generally, the Kankakee County Health Department issues septic system permits and inspects installations313. It also issues private well permits where public water is not available14. Ask the Village Hall whether sewer and water mains reach the lot, then call the health department if they do not.

Building a home in Grant Park: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Village Hall for the lot's zoning district and whether sewer and water are available2.
  2. Confirm the lot meets the district's dimension rules, including the 120-foot average depth7.
  3. If the lot is not on public sewer, contact the Kankakee County Health Department about a septic permit3.
  4. File a written building permit application with the village building department before work starts4.
  5. Pass the village's inspections and obtain a certificate of occupancy6.

What stays with Kankakee County, and what to check before you buy in Grant Park?

Septic permits and well permits come from the Kankakee County Health Department rather than the village314. Land outside village limits falls under the county's rules instead; see the Kankakee County page for those.

County-level figures: Kankakee County's effective property tax rate is 2.2%15, and only about 1.6% of its soils are rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so expect a site evaluation or an engineered system where sewer is not available16. We could not confirm village rules on floodplain development or driveway permits; ask the Village Hall.

Watch-outs

  • The village's code is posted with a note that it may not reflect the most current legislation, so confirm the current building code editions with the Village Hall before design work5.
  • We could not confirm whether the village allows RV living, tiny homes or accessory dwellings; ask the Village Hall before buying with that plan2.
  • Septic and sewer rules for lots inside village limits are unconfirmed; ask the Village Hall and the Kankakee County Health Department which applies3.

Sources

  1. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 4 Building Regulations, Chapter 1 Building Code, Section 4-1-4 Permits (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  2. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 9 Zoning, Chapter 1 Purpose and Interpretation (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  3. Septic Program, quoted and re-checked
  4. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 4 Building Regulations, Chapter 1 Building Code, Section 4-1-4 Permits (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  5. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 4 Building Regulations, Chapter 1 Building Code, Sections 4-1-12 and 4-1-13 (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  6. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 4 Building Regulations, Chapter 1 Building Code, Sections 4-1-12 and 4-1-13 (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  7. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 9 Zoning, Chapter 3 General Provisions, Section 9-3-1 Lots (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  8. Guide to Obtaining a Building Permit, quoted and re-checked
  9. Village of Grant Park (Village Hall and Building Inspector) (grantpark-il.org)
  10. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 9 Zoning, Chapter 1 Purpose and Interpretation (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  11. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 4 Building Regulations, Chapter 1 Building Code, Sections 4-1-12 and 4-1-13 (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  12. Grant Park Code of Ordinances, Title 4 Building Regulations, Chapter 1 Building Code, Sections 4-1-12 and 4-1-13 (American Legal Publishing) (Village of Grant Park), quoted and re-checked
  13. Kankakee County Health Department, Environmental Health / Septic Program (kankakeehealth.org)
  14. Application for Permit to Construct, Modify or Abandon a Water Well, quoted and re-checked
  15. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  16. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Grant Park

Village of Grant Park’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, enlargement, alteration or demolition of a structure, a change of occupancy requiring greater strength, exit or sanitary provisions, or a change of use, inside Grant Park village.

    • Permit must be applied for in writing with the building department before the work, under Section 4-1-4(b).
    • Section 4-1-4(a) also requires a permit to install or alter regulated equipment.
    • Section 4-1-4(b) applies to any building component or building in the village.
    • Permit extensions and expiration rules apply (Section 4-1-4, permits expire if work does not start within six months).
    “(a) permit required: it shall be unlawful to construct, enlarge, alter or demolish a structure; or change the occupancy of a building or structure requiring greater strength, exit, or sanitary provisions; or to change to another use;”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    New construction, alterations and repairs of buildings and structures inside Grant Park village.

    • The adopted editions are listed as 2006 International Building Code and appendices, 2006 International Residential Code and appendices, 2006 International Mechanical, Fire, Property Maintenance, Fuel Gas and Energy Conservation Codes, Illinois Plumbing Code (latest edition), 2011 National Electrical Code, Illinois Accessibility Code as amended, 2012 International Performance Code, and the village subdivision ordinance.
    • The adoption text is dated by ordinance O-11-17-1 (11-20-2017) for chapter 1; whether later code-edition amendments were adopted was not verified.
    “(b) building codes: the technical codes listed below are hereby adopted as the building codes of the village for the control of buildings, structures, and sites as herein provided:”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Permitted building work inside Grant Park village, before a certificate of occupancy issues.

    • Inspections are conducted by the building department director and inspectors, who are authorized to enter premises to enforce chapter 1 (Section 4-1-3).
    • Inspection notice and approval rules are in Section 4-1-4(i) and Section 4-1-8, which were not opened.
    “no certificate of occupancy for a building structure, use or portion thereof, shall be issued until construction has been completed and the premises inspected and certified to be in conformity with the approved plans and specifications upon which the building permit was based.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Buildings, structures, uses or portions thereof inside Grant Park village, including new construction and alterations.

    • No certificate of occupancy may issue until construction is complete and the premises are inspected and certified to conform to the approved plans; any certificate issued in conflict is void (Section 4-1-12(b)).
    • Every building permit application is also an application for a certificate of occupancy (Section 4-1-12(c)).
    • Where no building permit is required, an application is made to the code enforcement officer (Section 4-1-12(c)).
    • Water service to new residential or commercial construction is withheld until assessments are paid and a certificate of compliance is issued (Section 4-1-12(a)).
    • A temporary certificate of occupancy may issue on a cash escrow or letter of credit at 125% for incomplete winter-weather exterior work, with a June 1 completion deadline (Section 4-1-12(b)).
    “(a) certificate required: no building, addition thereto or structure hereafter erected or structurally altered shall be occupied or used until a certificate of occupancy has been issued by the director of building and zoning.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Grant Park village limits. The village administers its own zoning ordinance, titled the Grant Park zoning ordinance (Title 9 of the village code).

    • Uses and dimensional standards apply by zoning district under Title 9; district tables were not opened in this run.
    • The amlegal posting carries a disclaimer that it may not reflect the most current legislation, and the code page shows ordinances pending review for codification.
    “chapter 6 zoning districts and map chapter 7 residential districts chapter 8 commercial districts”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts and the zoning map for land inside Grant Park village.

    • The table of contents lists the district chapters: chapter 6 zoning districts and map, chapter 7 residential districts, chapter 8 commercial districts, chapter 9 industrial districts, chapter 10 specialty districts.
    • The district list and map itself were not opened; the map may be kept in the village office.
    “chapter 6 zoning districts and map chapter 7 residential districts chapter 8 commercial districts”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Lot dimensions for lots inside Grant Park village, in all zoning classes (average lot depth and angular lot width). District minimum lot AREA figures for the single-family (R-1) and other residential districts were not located.

    • Lot dimensions must conform to the requirements of the appropriate zoning classification, and no lot may have an average depth below 120 feet.
    • Double-frontage or reverse-frontage lots need a minimum average depth of 150 feet.
    • Angular lots in residential zones need a minimum width of 70 feet at the building setback line.
    • Substandard lots of record in a residential district that do not meet area and width may be used for a single-family residence if they meet all other regulations (Section 9-3-1(k)).

    minimum average lot depth: >= 120 feet (150 feet for double-frontage or reverse-frontage lots) · minimum width of angular lot at building setback line (residential zones): >= 70 feet (applies only to angular lots in residential zones)

    “(j) lot dimensions: lot dimensions shall conform to the requirements of the appropriate zoning classification, but in no case shall a lot have an average depth of less than one hundred twenty feet (120').”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    New residential construction inside Grant Park village, for water service only.

    • The quoted rule ties water service for new construction to payment of assessments and a certificate of compliance.
    • It does not state whether a new home must connect to public water or public sewer when mains are available; that question is unresolved (see the followup).
    • Distance and availability rules for sewer connection were not located in the opened text.
    “in cases of new residential or commercial construction, the village shall not allow water service to the site until all assessments are paid in full and a certificate of compliance has been issued.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land inside Grant Park village.

    • The village subdivision ordinance is adopted as one of the building codes and applies as amended from time to time.
    • The subdivision ordinance text itself was not opened; its approval steps, plat requirements and fees are unknown.
    “(d) division of lots: no lot shall be divided into two (2) or more lots for the purpose of transfer of ownership, unless the division shall conform with all the applicable regulations of the village subdivision regulations and this title.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building permits for erection, enlargement, alteration or repair in Grant Park village.

    • Application is filed in writing with the building department before work begins (Section 4-1-4(b)).
    • Plan approval checklist applies to multi-family, commercial and industrial permits (Section 4-1-4(f)).
    • Fees are paid on permit issuance; the building department reports monthly (Section 4-1-4(h)).
    • Permits expire if work has not started within six months, with one 90-day extension possible (Section 4-1-4).
    “(b) permit application: before proceeding with the erection, enlargement, alteration, or repair of any building component or any building in the village of grant park, an application for a permit shall be filed with the building department.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Grant Park or Kankakee County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for work inside Grant Park village.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area for a single-family home inside Grant Park village.
  • Setbacks — Front, side and rear yard setbacks for the single-family (R-1) district inside Grant Park village.
  • Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage for residential lots inside Grant Park village.
  • Building height — Maximum building height for the single-family residential district inside Grant Park village.
15 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Grant Park publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Kankakee County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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