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

Kankakee Township’s own rules

• Building permitLimited

  Building activity in the portion of Kankakee Township outside municipal boundaries.

  • The County says building activity may require a permit and directs applicants to current permit applications; the cited material does not establish that every type of construction requires a permit.
  • Municipal parcels may be regulated by the applicable municipality.

  “Building activity in the unincorporated areas of the County may require a building permit.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction in the portion of Kankakee Township outside municipal boundaries, where County-administered rules apply.

  • The County guide states that building activity in unincorporated areas may require a building permit; incorporated land may instead be subject to its municipality's code.

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

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Parcels inside Kankakee Township that are outside municipal boundaries.

  • County zoning is stated to apply outside municipal boundaries; incorporated parcels may be governed by their municipality.
  • The County advises confirming the online code's accuracy with the County Clerk before decisions.

  “The Kankakee County Zoning Ordinance is part of the Kankakee County Code. This Code is available online on the Municode website.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land-development and property-division projects in the unincorporated portion of Kankakee Township.

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

  “Projects involving the development of land or the division of property may need to be reviewed by several agencies and/or departments.”

• Driveway accessLimited

  A project in the unincorporated portion of Kankakee Township with a ditch requiring a culvert.

  • The cited County permit instructions impose the Township Road Commissioner referral only if the property has a ditch and requires a culvert.

  “Culvert Permit. If your property has a ditch and requires a culvert you will be given this form to take to your Township Road Commissioner.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Development in a floodplain in the unincorporated portion of Kankakee Township.

  • Floodplain permits may require approval by the Army Corps of Engineers, the 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.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  County permit applications for development in the unincorporated portion of Kankakee Township.

  • Portal users need a one-time personal account to apply, check status, and submit documentation.
  • An access code is needed to schedule or view inspections that the user submitted.

  “What can you do on this portal? - Apply for a Permit - Submit drawings and other documents for review - Pay permit fees - Request an inspection”

Rules another office applies inside Kankakee Township

Kankakee 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 septicMixed (with conditions)

  New or existing septic-system work associated with County permit applications in the unincorporated portion of Kankakee Township.

  • A septic referral form is issued for projects requiring a septic system or a current-system functionality check.
  • The source identifies the Kankakee County Health Department as the recipient of septic paperwork.

  “If doing a new septic system or having an old one checked out, the paperwork will go to the Kankakee County Health Department.”

• Well permitRequired

  Well-system work associated with development in the unincorporated portion of Kankakee Township.

  • The source states Health Department review and approval for well systems; it does not supply a separate permit title or fee.

  “Septic and well systems are reviewed and approved by the Health Department.”

Still unanswered

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

• Inspections — Construction inside Kankakee Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of structures inside Kankakee Township.
• Local zoning — Land inside Kankakee Township, including land that may be within an incorporated municipality.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Kankakee Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Kankakee 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.