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

Rules another office applies inside Utica Township

Utica 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 and structures on land in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township

  • The brochure lists the threshold as the structure being 200 square feet or larger or having a side of 20 feet or greater, and separately lists other structure types.
  • Agricultural buildings have a separate compliance-permit path (see agricultural exemption claim).
  • Construction before permit issuance carries a penalty of double the permit fee per the brochure.
  • Does not apply inside incorporated municipalities.

  structure size threshold: >= 200 square feet (or any side 20 feet or greater)

  “the structure is one of the following: 1. 200 s.f. or larger or; 2. has a side of 20 feet or greater”

• InspectionsRequired

  Permitted building work in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township

  • Agricultural buildings are exempt from local county building code inspections but remain subject to Illinois Department of Public Health plumbing inspections.
  • Inspections must be scheduled; the brochure says to allow 48 hours.
  • Inspection contact phone is 847-510-4104 per the brochure.

  inspection scheduling lead time: >= 48 hours (allow for 48 hours for inspection to be scheduled)

  “for permit inspections call 847-510-4104 (allow for 48 hours for inspection to be scheduled)”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Living or sleeping in a recreational vehicle on private land in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township

  • Living or sleeping use in an RV is capped at 180 days in a calendar year.
  • Not allowed when the RV is located in a subdivision, an unincorporated platted town, or on a parcel with an existing residence, unless otherwise permitted by the ordinance.

  maximum RV living or sleeping period: <= 180 days per calendar year (unless otherwise permitted by this ordinance)

  “not exceeding 180 days in a calendar year.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal (septic) in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township; the brochure directs septic questions to the LaSalle County Health Department

  • The brochure lists the Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code as a requirement to satisfy before a county building permit issues.
  • The state act and code set the substantive rules; the brochure gives the county health department as the contact for them.

  “private sewage disposal licensing act and code water well construction code for more information contact the lasalle county health department at 815-433-3366”

• Driveway accessRequired

  Driveway and road access for permitted construction in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township; the county highway department administers the access ordinance

  • The county highway access ordinance must be met before a county building permit is issued, per the brochure.
  • Access rules themselves were not opened; the county highway department is the contact at 815-434-0743.

  “lasalle county highway access ordinance for more information contact the lasalle county highway department at 815-434-0743”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Building permits in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township, where the floodplain ordinance applies

  • The floodplain ordinance must be met before a county building permit is issued, per the brochure.
  • The brochure does not state the floodplain rules; the floodplain ordinance itself was not opened.

  “subdivision ordinance floodplain ordinance mobile home park ordinance setback ordinance zoning ordinance”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit fees for construction in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township

  • Residential fees are based on square footage and the number of inspections required, and the fee is set once plans are reviewed.
  • The brochure refers to the fee schedule in Article 6 of the county building permit ordinance; the fee schedule itself was not opened.
  • Fees are nonrefundable and are paid when the permit is issued and picked up.

  “the fee schedule can be found in the lasalle county building permit ordinance “article 6.””

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Obtaining a building permit for construction in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township

  • Apply at least 30 days before anticipated construction.
  • Plans are reviewed by a building inspector, who then notifies the applicant that the permit is ready and gives the cost.
  • Construction started before permit issuance is subject to a penalty of double the permit fee.
  • Land Use Department: 119 West Madison Street, Room 107, Ottawa; phone 815-434-8666.

  application lead time: >= 30 days

  “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 Utica Township or LaSalle County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township
• Building code adopted — Which building code the county adopts for unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new buildings in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica township
• Local zoning — Whether Utica township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance for land inside Utica township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated LaSalle County, including unincorporated land inside Utica 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.