Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Fall River Township, Illinois

Fall River Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Structures requiring building permits in unincorporated LaSalle County portions of Fall River Township.

  • Residential structures are subject to the 2024 International Residential Code and 2023 National Electrical Code as amended by the County Board.
  • The brochure separately lists 2024 International Building, Fire, Mechanical, Fuel Gas, Existing Building, and Energy Codes for specified nonresidential structures.

  “residential structures that require building permits are subject to the international residential codes - for one and two family dwellings, 2024 and 2023 national electric code as amended by the lasalle county board.”

• InspectionsRequired

  Structures receiving county building permits in unincorporated portions of Fall River Township.

  • Agricultural buildings are exempt from local county building-code inspections but remain subject to building codes and Illinois Department of Public Health plumbing inspections.

  “building code inspections will apply to all structures which receive building permits.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Fall River Township, Illinois; county zoning administers land in the township that is in unincorporated LaSalle County, not land within incorporated municipal boundaries.

  • The cited county zoning ordinance applies to unincorporated county land; incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning.

  “In April of 2006, LaSalle County adopted a zoning ordinance for the unincorporated areas of the county. This Department is responsible for the facilitation and enforcement of the ordinance as well as for the issuance of zoning certificates for all approved building permits, fences, signs, and special events.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Unincorporated Fall River Township land; actual district assignment depends on the county zoning map.

  • The county ordinance lists A-1, AC, R-1, R-2, R-3, B-1, B-2, and I-1 districts.
  • The county zoning webpage warns that the electronic ordinance and maps may not be the current official record.

  “In order to carry out the purpose and intent of this Ordinance, the unincorporated area of the County is hereby divided into the following districts: AGRICULTURE DISTRICTS A-1 Agriculture District AC Agriculture-Conservation District RESIDENCE DISTRICTS R-1 Rural Residence District R-2 Single Family Residence District R-3 General Residence District”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles used for living or sleeping in unincorporated Fall River Township.

  • Living or sleeping use is limited to 180 days in a calendar year.
  • The use is not allowed in a subdivision, unincorporated platted town, or parcel with an existing residence unless otherwise permitted by the ordinance.

  maximum living or sleeping use: <= 180 days per calendar year (Not permitted in specified locations 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.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage systems serving construction in unincorporated Fall River Township.

  • The building-permit materials require an approved septic permit from the LaSalle County Health Department before permit issuance.

  “copy of approved septic permit from lasalle county health department”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private-sewage-served construction requiring a county building permit in unincorporated Fall River Township.

  • An approved septic permit is an attachment for the county building-permit application.

  “copy of approved septic permit from lasalle county health department”

• Well permitRequired

  New well-served construction requiring a county building permit in unincorporated Fall River Township.

  • An approved well permit is an attachment for the county building-permit application.

  “copy of approved well permit from lasalle county health department”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Property splits in unincorporated Fall River Township.

  • The department directs property owners to contact it before subdividing to verify compliance with the County Subdivision Ordinance, County Zoning Ordinance, and Illinois Plat Act.

  “Please contact our department prior to subdividing property in order to verify that the split will comply with the LaSalle County Subdivision, LaSalle County Zoning Ordinance, and the Illinois Plat Act.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  County building permits in unincorporated Fall River Township.

  • Fees are paid when the permit is issued and picked up.
  • Fees are nonrefundable.
  • The inspector determines price after plan review.
  • Fees for nonagricultural detached one- and two-family dwellings are based on square footage and inspections required.

  “to partially defray expenses of administering the ordinance, a fee shall be charged for each building permit application and the fee shall be paid when the permit is issued and picked up.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  County building permits in unincorporated Fall River Township.

  • Two copies of construction documents, a site diagram, and applicable approved well and septic permits are listed as attachments.
  • Plans must show conformance with adopted codes.

  “two copies of construction documents shall be provided, which clearly show it will conform to the provisions of the applicable adopted codes (1 set will be returned) (11x17 max preferred) (plan review can be expedited with additional submittal of pdf plans).”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction in Fall River Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of buildings inside Fall River Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings in Fall River Township.
• Minimum lot size — A-1 Agriculture District land in unincorporated Fall River Township, if mapped A-1.
• Lot coverage — Residential land inside Fall River 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.