Bolthole Index

Lake County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Riverwoods, Illinois

The Village of Riverwoods, Illinois requires a village building permit for new homes and additions1, and the village adopts and administers its own zoning, with a 42,000-square-foot minimum lot per dwelling in the R-1 district23. Septic systems and new wells in Lake County, village or not, go through the Lake County Health Department45.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the village for construction, additions and alterations1
Zoning
The village adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance2
Minimum lot (R-1)
42,000 square feet per dwelling unit, excluding street rights-of-way and private access easements3
Minimum home size (R-1)
1,350 square feet of habitable ground floor for a one-story home6
Septic
Lake County Health Department permits systems where public sewers do not exist; the village also requires a building permit to replace one47
Wells
Lake County Water Well Program permits all new private wells, village or unincorporated5
Owner-builder
Owners may design and supervise their own home, but still need a building permit8

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Riverwoods (Village Hall, building department)

Building permits and zoning inside Riverwoods village limits

(847) 945-3990

300 Portwine Rd., Riverwoods, IL 60015

Septic permits

Lake County Health Department, Onsite Wastewater Treatment System program

Septic system review, permits and construction inspections for properties not served by public sewer

847-377-8020

[email protected]

500 West Winchester Road, Libertyville, IL 60048

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Riverwoods, Illinois?

Yes. The Village of Riverwoods requires a building permit approved by the village building official before anyone constructs, alters or repairs a building, including single-family homes and additions to existing houses1. A separate site development permit and a site preparation plan may also be required1.

The application goes to the village building department and calls for a signed form, a certified plat of survey, three sets of plans and a site preparation plan unless it is waived9. The village has adopted the 2024 International Building Code with its own amendments10. We could not confirm the permit fee schedule; ask Village Hall11.

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

The Village of Riverwoods issues its own building permits through its building department, run by the village's Director of Community Services as building official10. Village Hall is at 300 Portwine Rd., Riverwoods, IL 60015, phone (847) 945-399011.

The Lake County Planning, Building and Development office covers unincorporated land only. A Riverwoods address does not go to that county counter for building permits; Lake County's building permit requirement applies to unincorporated Lake County12.

Does Riverwoods have zoning, and what does it mean for lot size, setbacks and home size?

Yes. Riverwoods adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance for land inside village limits2. The code lists several residence districts and business districts; we could not confirm which district covers a given parcel, so ask Village Hall for the zoning map before you buy13.

In the R-1 single-family district, each dwelling needs at least 42,000 square feet of lot area, not counting street rights-of-way or private access easements3. Required yards are at least 50 feet in front, 30 feet on each side and 40 feet in the rear1415. Buildings may not exceed 35 feet above grade16.

A one-story R-1 home needs at least 1,350 square feet of habitable ground floor; a multi-story home needs at least 900 square feet on the ground floor and 1,500 square feet in total6.

The separate 1-R district applies only to contiguous land of 50 acres or more, and building coverage there is capped at 15 percent of the lot, with detached accessory buildings not permitted17.

How do septic and well permits work in Riverwoods?

Lake County Health Department handles septic permits where public sewers do not exist, in incorporated and unincorporated Lake County alike. A soil classifier evaluates the site, a licensed designer or engineer designs the system, the plans go to the Health Department, and a licensed septic contractor applies for the construction permit, which is valid for 120 days4. The Health Department inspects construction, and no part of the system may be backfilled until it is inspected and approved18.

Riverwoods adds its own layer: replacing or majorly modifying a septic tank or drainage field also needs a village building permit, and the application must show the system on the plat of survey7. We could not confirm how the village and the Health Department coordinate inside village limits, so call both before you start1911.

New private wells need a Lake County Water Well Program permit and inspection5. Replacing a well inside the village also needs a village building permit20.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Riverwoods?

We could not confirm any village rule on RV living, camping, tiny homes or accessory dwellings in Riverwoods, so do not assume any of them are allowed. In the R-1 district, a one-story home must have at least 1,350 square feet of habitable ground floor, which rules out a very small dwelling there6. Ask Village Hall in writing before buying with an RV or tiny home in mind11.

Lake County's tent and camping rules apply to unincorporated land, not to village lots21.

How do you build a home in Riverwoods? The steps, in order

  1. Ask Village Hall which zoning district the parcel sits in and get the setback and lot rules for it1113.
  2. If the lot has no public sewer, order a soil evaluation and a licensed septic design, and submit them to the Lake County Health Department419.
  3. File the village building permit application with a certified plat of survey, three sets of plans and a site preparation plan9.
  4. Owners who act as their own designer and supervisor must attach the owner design certificate to the plans, and the exception lasts no longer than two years for one parcel8.
  5. Get a Lake County well permit for any new well5.
  6. Have the septic system inspected before backfilling18.

What stays with Lake County, and what to check before you buy in Riverwoods?

Lake County's own zoning and building rules apply only to unincorporated land; municipalities regulate land within their boundaries22. For land outside the village, see the Lake County page.

Septic permits and well permits come from the Lake County Health Department even inside the village45. Lake County's effective property tax rate is 2.7%23, and its typical home value is about $400,96424. Check flood status and driveway rules with Village Hall; we could not confirm either11.

Watch-outs

  • Zoning district by parcel is unconfirmed, so get the district from Village Hall before relying on any lot-size or setback figure13.
  • A village building permit is needed to replace a septic system, and the county septic permit is separate; call both offices74.
  • We could not confirm the village's permit fees, flood rules or driveway rules; ask Village Hall11.

Sources

  1. Title 8 Chapter 4 Building Permits (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  2. Riverwoods, IL Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing) - Overview (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  3. Chapter 4 Residence Districts - Article B. R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district (and Article A. 1-R) (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  4. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Environmental Health Permit Applications and Forms, quoted and re-checked
  6. Chapter 4 Residence Districts - Article B. R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district (and Article A. 1-R) (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  7. Title 8 Chapter 4 Building Permits (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  8. Title 8 Chapter 4 Building Permits (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  9. Title 8 Chapter 4 Building Permits (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  10. 8-7-2: Amendments to the 2024 International Building Code (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  11. Village of Riverwoods (Village Hall, building department) (riverwoods.gov)
  12. Building Permits, quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 4 Residence Districts - Article B. R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district (and Article A. 1-R) (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 4 Residence Districts - Article B. R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district (and Article A. 1-R) (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  15. Chapter 4 Residence Districts - Article B. R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district (and Article A. 1-R) (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 4 Residence Districts - Article B. R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district (and Article A. 1-R) (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  17. Chapter 4 Residence Districts - Article B. R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district (and Article A. 1-R) (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  18. Septic System Construction Inspection, quoted and re-checked
  19. Lake County Health Department, Onsite Wastewater Treatment System program (lakecountyil.gov)
  20. Title 8 Chapter 4 Building Permits (Village of Riverwoods), quoted and re-checked
  21. § 151.113 Accessory Uses, quoted and re-checked
  22. Unified Development Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  24. Typical home value (Zillow): Bolthole Index county data

Written October 23, 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 Riverwoods

Village of Riverwoods’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration and repair of buildings inside Riverwoods village, including single-family residential construction and additions

    • Work may proceed only after a building permit approved by the building official is obtained.
    • Listed examples include single-family residential, office, institutional or commercial construction; all additions or modifications to existing buildings including single-family residential additions; and replacement or major modifications of septic tanks and drainage fields, water supply wells, and electrical, plumbing and heating facilities.
    • Section 8-4-2(f)-(g): a site development permit and a site preparation plan may also be required.
    “no person shall construct, alter, repair, wreck or move any building, structure or part thereof or perform any work regulated by the building code”
  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner who designs and supervises construction of a building on his own parcel inside Riverwoods village

    • Exception covers owner's design, drafting and supervision only; a building permit is still required.
    • Exception applies only to the owner's own use and occupancy of a single parcel at any one time, for no longer than two (2) years.
    • Plans must carry the owner design certificate, and all provisions of the code must still be complied with.

    maximum duration: <= 2 years

    “e. excepting that an owner may design, draw plans and supervise construction of any building, structure or part thereof to be constructed on his parcel, specifically for his own use and occupancy and provided all provisions of this title”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Construction inside Riverwoods village: 2024 International Building Code as amended by village ordinance

    • Section 8-7-2 adds amendments to the 2024 IBC; 'jurisdiction' and 'code official' are the village and its Director of Community Services (building official).
    • Section 103.4 states the effective date; section 8-7-4 (2024 International Residential Code amendments) appears in the code index but its text was not opened, so residential adoption is confirmed only by the index listing.
    • Section 8-7-2 says village fee schedule amounts control over fees stated in the chapter.

    adopted code edition: 2024 International Building Code

    “the following sections of the 2024 international building code are hereby added, amended, revised, and changed as follows”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Water and sanitary service connections to village public water mains and sewers inside Riverwoods village

    • Applies to service connections; the general building inspection provisions (8-4-5, inspections and stop work orders) are listed in the chapter 4 index but their text was not opened.
    • Connections must remain uncovered until the village inspects them.

    inspection notice: >= 1 working day (minimum advance request after final connections are made and before backfilling)

    “e. after all final connections are made but prior to any backfilling or covering up of any excavation, the owner or any contractor or agent of the owner installing the water and/or sanitary service shall request an inspection from the building department a minimum of one working day in advance.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Riverwoods village limits: the village adopts and administers its own Title 9 zoning ordinance

    • Source is the American Legal Publishing copy; the overview page states it may not reflect the most current legislation and is current through ord. 26-01-01 (passed January 20, 2026).
    • Zoning is administered by the village; the zoning district map (chapter 3) was not opened.
    “article b. r-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district”
  • Zoning districtsPartial

    Zoning districts established by Riverwoods village Title 9 inside village limits

    • Code lists residence districts 1-R, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3 and R-4 (chapter 4) and business districts (chapter 5); the zoning district map itself (chapter 3) was not located or opened, so the district-by-parcel layout is not confirmed.
    “chapter 3 zoning districts and map chapter 4 residence districts”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family dwellings in the 1-R 42,000 square feet (inclusive of road easements) single-family residential district, which applies only to contiguous lands of 50 acres or more, inside Riverwoods village

    • Dwellings with more than one story: not less than 900 sq ft habitable ground floor area and not less than 1,500 sq ft total habitable floor area.

    one-story habitable ground floor area minimum: >= 1350 square feet (see conditions for multi-story dwellings)

    “b. floor areas: one-story dwellings shall have a total habitable ground floor area of not less than one thousand three hundred fifty (1,350) square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Single-family dwellings in the R-1 42,000 square feet single-family residential district inside Riverwoods village
      “b. floor areas: one-story dwellings shall have a total habitable ground floor area of not less than one thousand three hundred fifty (1,350) square feet. dwellings having more than one story shall have not less than nine hundred (900) square feet of habitable ground floor area nor less than one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet of total habitable floor area.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    1-R 42,000 square feet (inclusive of road easements) single-family residential district, contiguous lands of 50 acres or more, inside Riverwoods village

    • Lot area may include land within adjacent street rights-of-way and private easements.
    • District applies only to contiguous lands of fifty (50) acres or more.

    minimum lot area per dwelling unit: >= 42000 square feet (may include adjacent right-of-way and private easements)

    “a. lot area: there shall be not less than forty two thousand (42,000) square feet of lot area per dwelling unit. said lot area may include the land lying within the right of way of any streets, roads and private easements for ingress and egress lying adjacent to said lot.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    1-R 42,000 square feet (inclusive of road easements) single-family residential district, contiguous lands of 50 acres or more, inside Riverwoods village

    • District applies only to contiguous lands of fifty (50) acres or more.
    • Side yards: two side yards, each not less than 30 ft; no pools, decks, patios or accessory buildings in required yards except as permitted by section 9-2-6-8.

    front yard minimum: >= 50 feet · side yard minimum each: >= 30 feet · rear yard minimum: >= 40 feet

    “c. rear yard: there shall be provided a rear yard of not less than forty feet (40'), measured perpendicular to the rear lot line.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    1-R 42,000 square feet (inclusive of road easements) single-family residential district, contiguous lands of 50 acres or more, inside Riverwoods village

    • Applies to the principal building and any attached accessory use or building; detached accessory buildings are not permitted in this district.

    maximum building coverage of lot area: <= 15 percent (principal building and attached accessory use or building)

    “1. no lot shall have a building coverage greater than fifteen percent (15%) of the lot area for the principal building and any attached accessory use or building. 2. detached accessory buildings are not permitted.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    1-R 42,000 square feet (inclusive of road easements) single-family residential district, contiguous lands of 50 acres or more, inside Riverwoods village

    • Measured above grade level.

    maximum building height: <= 35 feet

    “9-4a-5: building height: building height shall not exceed thirty five feet (35') above grade level.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Septic permitRequired

    Replacement or major modification of septic tanks and drainage fields inside Riverwoods village

    • Village building permit required under 8-4-1(h); whether a separate county or health-department septic permit also applies was not established.
    • Application must show septic tanks and drainage fields on the plat of survey (8-4-2(b)).
    “h. replacement or major modifications of plumbing facilities (outside of premises such as septic tanks and drainage fields);”
  • Well permitRequired

    Replacement or major modification of water supply wells inside Riverwoods village

    • Quoted rule covers replacement or major modification of water supply wells; the code excerpt does not address a new private well, which is unknown.
    • Requires a village building permit under 8-4-1(i).
    “i. replacement or major modifications of water supply wells and distribution facilities;”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit application to the Riverwoods village building department

    • Application requires a signed form, certified plat of survey, three sets of plans, and a site preparation plan (unless waived).
    • Plans and fees and the rest of the process (issuance, plan alterations, time limits, fees) are in sections 8-4-3 through 8-4-7, which were not opened.
    “application for a building permit shall be made by the owner or his agent to the village by filing with the building department, on application forms devised and supplied by the building official, the following:”

Still unanswered

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

  • Living in an RV — RV occupancy on private land inside Riverwoods village
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Riverwoods village
  • Tiny homes — Tiny homes inside Riverwoods village
  • Manufactured homes — Manufactured homes inside Riverwoods village
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Riverwoods village
9 more unanswered
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Riverwoods publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Lake County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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