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

Rules another office applies inside Otto Township

Otto 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 permitLimited

  Building activity on unincorporated land inside Otto Township.

  • The County says building activity may require a permit and provides examples, including new homes, manufactured homes, additions, water and sewer lines, sheds, barns, and demolition.
  • The cited guide directs an applicant unsure whether a specific project requires a permit to contact County staff.

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

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Otto Township.

  • The county guide lists the codes then in use, including the 2003 International Residential Code, 2003 International Building Code, 2005 National Electrical Code, 2004 Illinois Plumbing Code, and other listed codes.
  • The guide says the County periodically adopts updated codes; applicants should confirm the current code with the County.

  “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 Otto Township, where Kankakee County Planning Department jurisdiction applies.

  • This is a county-administered ordinance, not an Otto Township ordinance.
  • The County Planning Department states that its jurisdiction lies in unincorporated areas of the County.

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

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning districts applicable to unincorporated land inside Otto Township.

  • The County says the zoning map is part of the County zoning ordinance.
  • The map is updated each March to include zoning activity approved during the preceding year.
  • The County separately cautions that the online code may be out of date and recommends confirmation with the County Clerk before decision-making.

  “A Zoning Map is also included as part of the Kankakee County Zoning Ordinance. This Map is updated in March of each year to include all approved zoning activity from the previous year.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Septic-system work associated with land inside Otto Township.

  • New septic systems and checks of old systems are referred to Kankakee County Health Department.
  • The County permit application also refers to sewer-subdivision tap-on fees where applicable.

  “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.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of unincorporated land inside Otto Township.

  • County regulations were approved on December 9, 2008.
  • The County page states that new lots, parcels, and tracts must conform to local zoning requirements to be eligible for building permits.
  • For parcels over five acres, the County says a subdivision plat is not required but lists continuing compliance provisions.

  “On December 9, 2008 the County Board approved new regulations for subdivisions in unincorporated Kankakee County.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development within flood-prone areas on unincorporated land inside Otto Township.

  • Proposed floodplain development must ascertain a base flood elevation survey from an Illinois-licensed engineer or surveyor.
  • The County guide says floodplain management has numerous variables and states that floodplain regulations may apply to a specific property.

  “Development within floodprone areas are subject to special review and issuance of a floodplain permit. Proposed development within floodplain areas are required to ascertain a base flood elevation survey from an Illinois licensed engineer / surveyor.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-performed residential construction inside Otto Township's unincorporated area.
• Certificate of occupancy — Land inside Otto Township subject to County unincorporated-area jurisdiction.
• Minimum dwelling size — Residential districts on unincorporated land inside Otto Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential or agricultural districts on unincorporated land inside Otto Township.
• Setbacks — Residential or agricultural districts on unincorporated land inside Otto 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.