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

Rockville Township’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land in Rockville Township that is within Kankakee County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction; the operative zoning authority identified by the official source is Kankakee County, not the township.

  • The county Planning Department states its jurisdiction lies in the unincorporated areas of the County.

  “The Kankakee County Zoning Ordinance is part of the Kankakee County Code.”

Rules another office applies inside Rockville Township

Rockville 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 in Rockville Township within Kankakee County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction.

  • The County says activity may require a permit and directs applicants to staff if uncertain.
  • The listed examples include manufactured homes, new homes and additions, water and sewer lines, sheds, detached garages, barns, pole buildings, and demolition.

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

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction in Rockville Township within Kankakee County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction.

  • The handbook identifies codes currently utilized by the County; confirm current code editions with the County before construction.

  codes listed: 2003 International Residential Code; 2003 International Building Code; 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; 1997 Illinois Accessibility Code

  “Building Codes have been adopted by the County”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning districts and map for Rockville Township land within the County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction.

  • The County says the zoning map is updated in March each year to include approved zoning activity from the previous year.
  • A parcel-specific zoning-map lookup is necessary before applying district dimensional standards.

  “The Internet version of the Kankakee County Zoning Ordinance and/or maps is provided solely for reference”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Private sewage systems in Rockville Township served by the Kankakee County Health Department.

  • The program also evaluates existing systems and conducts dye tests for possible failures.

  “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

  Installation of a private septic system in Rockville Township served by KCHD.

  • Permit administration is by KCHD.

  “A sewage permit is required for a new installation”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation of a private septic system in Rockville Township served by KCHD.

  • Inspection is to ensure proper installation.

  “The system shall not be covered until final approval is given by the Health Department.”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction, modification, or abandonment of a water well in Rockville Township served by KCHD.

  • The form covers construct, deepen, repair, and seal work.
  • The form lists a $100 permit fee, $100 inspection fee, $50 water-sample fee, and $50 abandonment fee.

  well permit fee: 100 USD · well inspection fee: 100 USD

  “APPLICATION FOR PERMIT TO CONSTRUCT, MODIFY OR ABANDON A WATER WELL”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Division of a farmstead from an agricultural parcel in Rockville Township within the County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction.

  • All application criteria must be met.
  • The process is described as an alternative to rezoning.

  “This process allows property owners wishing to divide a farmstead from an agricultural parcel”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and new-development proposals in Rockville Township within the County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction.

  • The Planning Division gives guidance on subdivision plat reviews and new-development proposals.

  “the County Board approved new regulations for subdivisions in unincorporated Kankakee County.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning applications affecting Rockville Township within the County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction.

  • A continuance fee may be charged if a zoning meeting is continued to another date.

  rezoning and special-use base fee: 600 USD (plus $30 per acre for the first 50 acres, $20 per acre for 51 to 100 acres, and $10 per acre over 100 acres) · variance fee: 280 USD · continuance fee: 175 USD (may be charged if a zoning meeting is continued)

  “Rezonings and Special Uses have a base fee of $600”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  County building-permit applications for construction in Rockville Township within the County's unincorporated-area jurisdiction.

  • Applicants must create a one-time personal account for the online portal.
  • The portal permits application, status checks, and submission of required documentation.

  “you will need to create a one-time personal account which will allow you to apply for permits”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction in Rockville Township.
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction in Rockville Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Residential construction in Rockville Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in Rockville Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots in Rockville 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.