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

Rules another office applies inside Eagle Township

Eagle 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 permitRequired

  New buildings, accessory structures, and structures on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • Routine maintenance, utility service connections, qualifying structures no more than 200 square feet and with every side under 20 feet, and mobile homes on pads in licensed mobile-home parks are exempt as stated in Section 4.2.
  • Agricultural buildings remain subject to a compliance permit under Section 6.2.

  “Except as otherwise provided by this Ordinance, it shall be unlawful, except within city, village or incorporated town limits within LaSalle County, for any property owner or contractor: a. To erect a new building, accessory structure or structure or part thereof without first obtaining a written building permit from the LaSalle County Building Officer.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Non-agricultural construction on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • The county ordinance excludes bona fide agricultural buildings, accessory structures, and structures from Article 5 building-code provisions.
  • The residential code applies to non-agricultural detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses not more than three stories with separate means of egress, and their accessory structures.

  “The International Residential Codes-for one and two family dwellings, 2024 edition as published by the International Code Council. Inc. except as amended in this Article and the Illinois State Plumbing Code, 77 Ill Adm. Code 890, is hereby adopted and incorporated by reference as if set forth verbatim in this Article”

• InspectionsRequired

  Structures subject to Article 5 building-code provisions on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • The permit holder or agent must notify the Building Officer that work is ready and provide access and means for inspection.
  • A final inspection is required after permitted work is complete and before occupancy.

  “Any building, accessory structure or structure that is subject to the Building Code provisions of the Article 5 shall be subject to inspections.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Buildings, accessory structures, and structures governed by the county building permit ordinance on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • The Building Officer must first inspect and find no violations of the building code or laws and ordinances enforced by the County Land Use Department and Health Department.
  • A temporary certificate may be issued before all work is completed if the occupied portion is safe, for the period set by the Building Officer.

  “No building, accessory structure or structure shall be used or occupied until the Building Officer has issued a certificate of occupancy therefore as provided herein.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Eagle Township that is outside city, village, and incorporated-town limits.

  • The county ordinance applies outside the limits of cities, villages, and incorporated towns; no Eagle Township zoning ordinance was located on the official township page.

  “It is hereby declared that the provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to all properties in unincorporated LaSalle County as hereinafter specifically provided:”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Eagle Township; exact district must be determined from the adopted township zoning map.

  • The ordinance states that each township zoning-district map and its amendments are adopted as part of the ordinance.

  “The location and boundaries of the districts established by this Ordinance are as shown on the Zoning District Map of each township of the County, which together with all explanatory matter thereon, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance.”

• Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family detached dwellings on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township, according to the parcel's county zoning district.

  • A-1 has a 35-acre minimum except as otherwise provided in the ordinance.
  • R-2 has different standards for public versus private sanitary sewer and water systems.

  A-1 single-family detached dwelling minimum lot area: >= 35 acres (Except as otherwise provided by the ordinance.) · R-2 single-family detached dwelling minimum lot area with public sanitary sewer and water: >= 10000 square feet · R-2 single-family detached dwelling minimum lot area with private sanitary or private water systems: >= 1 acre

  “Single Family Detached Dwellings: The zoning lot shall be not less than Ten Thousand (10,000) square feet in size for properties that are served by public sanitary sewer and water and the zoning lot shall not be less than one (1) acre in size for properties served by private sanitary or private water systems.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Most county zoning districts on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • The published summary states these are setbacks in most zoning districts; determine parcel district and road classification before relying on them.

  township-road centerline setback: >= 70 feet (Most zoning districts.) · county-road centerline setback: >= 85 feet (Most zoning districts.) · state or federal route centerline setback: >= 100 feet (Most zoning districts.) · side and rear yard setback: >= 10 feet (Most zoning districts.)

  “Building setbacks in most zoning districts are 70 feet from Township Road centerline, 85 feet from County Road centerline, 100 feet from State/Federal Route centerline, and 10 feet from side/rear yards.”

• Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family detached dwellings in the county R-1 Rural Residence District on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township, if the parcel is mapped R-1.

  • The 36-foot maximum applies to single-family detached dwellings; other structures in that district have no height limitation under the cited provision.

  R-1 single-family detached dwelling maximum height: <= 36 feet (Other structures have no height limitation under the cited provision.)

  “MAXIMUM HEIGHT OF BUILDINGS: Single family detached dwellings shall not exceed thirty-six (36) feet in height. All other structures shall have no height limitation.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • Living or sleeping use cannot exceed 180 days in a calendar year.
  • It is prohibited in a subdivision, unincorporated platted town, or on a parcel with an existing residence unless otherwise permitted by the ordinance.

  maximum living or sleeping period: <= 180 days per calendar year (Not available in subdivisions, unincorporated platted towns, or parcels with an existing residence unless otherwise permitted by the ordinance.)

  “A recreational vehicle, as defined in Chapter 3, may be used for living or sleeping purposes for a period not exceeding 180 days in a calendar year. A recreational vehicle shall not be used for living or sleeping purposes for any period of time when located in a subdivision, unincorporated platted town, or on a parcel with an existing residence; unless otherwise permitted by this ordinance.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes used for permanent habitation on individual lots outside licensed mobile-home parks on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • A county building permit is required before the described construction.
  • The cited provision applies where the home is not on a permanent foundation and is outside a licensed mobile-home park.

  “To set, erect, build, raise, or move into place or otherwise construct a mobile home, manufactured home, modular home, prefabricated home, or any similar structure used for permanent habitation on an individual lot or lots outside of a licensed mobile home park that is not on a permanent foundation and without first obtaining a building permit from LaSalle County.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal construction inside Eagle Township where a private system is proposed.

  • A completed application, permit fee, and onsite survey are required before the construction permit is issued.

  “A permit for construction will not be issued until a completed application and fee have been submitted to the LaSalle County Health Department and an onsite survey performed by department personnel.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private sewage disposal system construction inside Eagle Township.

  • Submit the completed application and $230 fee and complete an onsite survey by department personnel before a construction permit will issue.
  • The fee is returned if the permit is denied.
  • A credit- or debit-card payment has a service fee.

  private sewage disposal permit application fee: 230 USD (Returned to the applicant if the permit is denied.)

  “This is your permit application. There is a two hundred thirty ($230.00) dollar application fee for a private sewage disposal system permit. If a permit is denied, the fee shall be returned to the applicant.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Private sewage disposal system construction inside Eagle Township.

  • Notify the Health Department before backfilling.
  • The inspection produces a statement whether the system or well meets current Illinois Department of Public Health standards; it does not create a warranty.

  “The Health Department must be notified for a final inspection sewage disposal system construction before backfilling.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Bona fide agricultural buildings, accessory structures, and structures on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • The building-code and related building-code-fee exemption requires bona fide agricultural use producing gross income of at least $5,000 to the operator, proof of preceding-calendar-year income, and a sworn affidavit.
  • A $25 compliance permit is still required per building permit application.

  minimum bona fide agricultural gross income: >= 5000 USD (Proof of income from the preceding calendar year and a sworn affidavit are required.) · agricultural compliance permit fee: 25 USD per building permit application (Required despite the Article 5 building-code exemption.)

  “Building, accessory structures and structures that are used for bona fide agricultural uses are exempt from the Building Code provisions of Article 5 and related Building Code fees. If the buildings(s), accessory structure(s) or structure(s) is/are exempt as a bona fide agricultural use, a permit will be required pursuant to Section 6.1 at a $25.00 fee per building permit application”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision and property splits on unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • Contact the Land Use Department before subdividing to verify compliance with the county subdivision ordinance, county zoning ordinance, and Illinois Plat Act.

  “Before subdividing any tract or parcel of land in the unincorporated areas in the County an owner or subdivider shall first submit a letter of intent, a preliminary plat and then a final plat to be acted upon by the County authorities in accordance with the requirements of this ordinance.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  County building permits for unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • All county building-permit fees are nonrefundable.
  • Residential new construction, additions, and alterations have the stated area-based fee and minimum.

  residential new construction additions alterations fee: per 0.22 USD per square foot (Minimum $130.00.) · residential new construction additions alterations minimum fee: >= 130 USD

  “New construction/ additions/ alterations $0.22 per square foot for all areas, but not less than $130.00 minimum.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  County building-permit applications for unincorporated land inside Eagle Township.

  • Applications require the county permit and zoning application and a dimensioned site drawing.
  • A separate Health Department permit is required before a building permit if a water-supply or sewage-disposal system will be installed.
  • The county must notify the applicant in writing of approval or denial within 30 days; a denied applicant has 45 business days to cure and resubmit without additional fees.

  county written approval or denial notice period: <= 30 days after submission · denial cure and resubmission period: <= 45 business days (No additional fees for the complete resubmission.)

  “All building permit applications shall be reviewed promptly and applicants shall be notified in writing within 30 days of submittal of the application, as to its approval or denial. If the application is denied, the applicant shall be given a complete explanation of the deficiencies resulting in the denial of the permit. The applicant shall have 45 business days after denial, to address and resolve said deficiencies and resubmit the complete application without incurring any additional fees.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Eagle Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings inside Eagle Township.
• Lot coverage — Residential parcels inside Eagle Township.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Eagle Township.
• Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Eagle 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.