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

Ophir Township’s own rules

• Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Residential structures requiring building permits on unincorporated land inside Ophir Township.

  • The county brochure states that the 2024 International Residential Codes and 2023 National Electrical Code apply as amended by the LaSalle County Board.

  “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 LaSalle County building permits on unincorporated land inside Ophir 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.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Occupancy and use of structures subject to the county building-permit system on unincorporated land inside Ophir Township.

  • A final inspection must be certified passing.
  • A Health Department response/approval certification for well and septic is required before issuance.

  “Occupancy and use of a structure (which includes but is not limited to moving furniture and personal items into the structure) is forbidden without an Occupancy Permit.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Structures on unincorporated land inside Ophir Township subject to the LaSalle County setback ordinance and zoning ordinance.

  • The displayed district table gives A-1 Agriculture, A-C Conservation, R-2 Single Family Residence, R-3 General Residence, and R-R Rural Residence side and rear setbacks of 10 feet.
  • Front setback distance depends on the road jurisdiction.
  • Variations occur with use of structure and adjacent zoning districts.

  township-road front setback: 70 feet (Measured from road centerline.) · county-road front setback: 85 feet (Measured from road centerline.) · state-or-federal-road front setback: 100 feet (Measured from road centerline.)

  “70 feet from a Twp Road, 85 feet from a County Road, 100 feet from a State or Federal Road”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwelling units on county-zoned unincorporated land inside Ophir Township.

  • The unit may be attached or detached on a permanent foundation.
  • A property with a two-family or multifamily dwelling may not have an ADU.
  • The unit must meet building-code and Health Department well/septic requirements; is limited to two bedrooms; requires owner occupancy; only one ADU is allowed per lot or parcel; and a detached unit is limited to 35 feet in height and 900 square feet footprint.

  maximum bedrooms: <= 2 · maximum detached ADU height: <= 35 feet · maximum ADU footprint: <= 900 square feet

  “An accessory dwelling unit may be attached to the principal dwelling unit or detached as a standalone structure with a permanent foundation.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Ophir Township.

  • The application identifies the LaSalle County Health Department as the recipient of the application, fee, and onsite survey.

  “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

  Construction of a private sewage disposal system inside Ophir Township.

  • A completed application, $230 application fee, and onsite survey by Department personnel are prerequisites to issuance.
  • The application says a denied permit fee is returned; card payments have a service fee.

  private sewage disposal permit application fee: 230 USD (Returned 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 Ophir Township.

  • The Health Department must be notified before the system is backfilled.

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

• Well permitRequired

  Construction or modification of a water well inside Ophir Township.

  • A completed application, $100 fee, and onsite survey by Department personnel are required before issuance.
  • The Department must be notified for final inspection after disinfection and installation of the pump and sanitary well cap.

  water well permit application fee: 100 USD (Returned if the permit is denied.)

  “This is your permit application to construct or modify a water well. There is a one hundred ($100.00) dollar permit application fee for a water well permit.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Property splits and subdivisions on unincorporated land inside Ophir Township.

  • The county instructs applicants to contact Land Use before subdividing to confirm 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.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Construction in a floodplain on unincorporated land inside Ophir Township.

  • Construction and modifications may require additional permits from other local entities and state and federal agencies.

  “The Department enforces the LaSalle County Floodplain Ordinance in the unincorporated areas of the County. All construction occurring in the floodplain requires a permit from the LaSalle County Land Use Department.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  County building permits on unincorporated land inside Ophir Township.

  • Fees are nonrefundable.
  • For nonagricultural detached one- and two-family dwellings and accessory structures, fees depend on square footage and number of inspections.
  • The building inspector figures the price after plan review.

  “For nonagricultural detached one and two family dwellings not more than three stories in height and/or their accessory structures, fees are based on square footage of structure and the number of inspections required.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

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

  • Submit a building-permit application, two construction-document sets, site diagram, approved well permit, approved septic permit, and stamped truss certificates when trusses are used.
  • Applications missing appropriate information and attachments will not be accepted.

  advance application timing: >= 30 days (Apply before anticipated building.)

  “Apply for a permit at least 30 DAYS in advance of anticipated building.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Ophir Township.
• Local zoning — Land inside Ophir Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Dwellings inside Ophir Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Ophir Township.
• Lot coverage — Lots inside Ophir 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.