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

Rules another office applies inside Wallace Township

Wallace 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 code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Non-agricultural residential construction in unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.

  • The brochure identifies the International Residential Codes for one- and two-family dwellings and the 2023 National Electrical Code, as amended by the LaSalle County Board.
  • Agricultural buildings are exempt from local county building-code inspections but remain subject to building codes and Illinois Department of Public Health plumbing inspections.

  residential code edition: 2024 (International Residential Codes for one- and two-family dwellings) · National Electrical Code edition: 2023 (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 a LaSalle County building permit on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.

  • Agricultural buildings are exempt from local county building-code inspections.
  • The agricultural exemption does not exempt structures from building codes or 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 on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township that are subject to the LaSalle County building-permit program.

  • The occupancy permit is issued after a final inspection is completed and certified passing.
  • Health Department response/approval certification for the well and septic is required for issuance.
  • The owner must request and certify Health Department approval to the building inspectors.

  “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.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Wallace Township subject to the LaSalle County Zoning Ordinance.

  • The ordinance applies to unincorporated LaSalle County.
  • District designation for an individual Wallace Township parcel requires the county zoning map or parcel-specific verification.

  “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 BUSINESS DISTRICTS B-1 Local Business District B-2 General Business District INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS 1-1 Industrial District”

• Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

  Living or sleeping in a recreational vehicle on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.

  • Living or sleeping use may not exceed 180 days in a calendar year.
  • It may not be used for living or sleeping in a subdivision, unincorporated platted town, or parcel with an existing residence unless otherwise permitted by the ordinance.

  maximum living or sleeping period: <= 180 days per calendar year

  “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.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Mobile or manufactured homes in the A-1 Agriculture District on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.

  • A mobile or manufactured home with a permanent foundation that is less than 1,000 square feet and/or more than 10 years old requires special-use approval in A-1.

  size condition: < 1000 square feet (special-use approval required in A-1 if less than 1,000 square feet and/or greater than 10 years old) · age condition: > 10 years (special-use approval required in A-1 if less than 1,000 square feet and/or greater than 10 years old)

  “MOBILE HOMES or MANUFACTURED HOMES with a permanent foundation (See Chapter 3 Definitions). If less than 1000 square feet in size and/or greater than 10 years old).”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Accessory dwelling units on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.

  • The unit may be attached or detached, but detached units require a permanent foundation.
  • A property containing a two-family or multifamily dwelling may not have an accessory dwelling unit.
  • The unit must meet building-code and Health Department well/septic requirements.
  • It is limited to two bedrooms, one unit per lot or parcel, owner occupancy, two additional parking spaces, and a 900-square-foot maximum footprint.
  • A detached unit has a 35-foot maximum height and must meet principal-structure side and rear setbacks.

  maximum bedrooms: <= 2 bedrooms · maximum detached-unit height: <= 35 feet · maximum 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.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  On-site sewage disposal and water supply on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.

  • Adequate unoccupied ground area must remain for sewage disposal and water supply.
  • The system must conform to LaSalle County Health Department and Illinois Health Department standards and requirements.
  • Plot plans must show the proposed sewage-disposal system and well location, if any.

  “Regardless of other provisions of this Ordinance, in all classifications and in all districts there shall always be sufficient ground area left unoccupied by a structure or a paved area for, a proper system of sewage disposal and water supply conforming with the standards and requirements of the LaSalle County Health Department and the Health Department of the State of Illinois.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

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

  • A building permit and zoning certificate are still required.
  • The exemption is from county building-code inspections and building-code fees, not from setbacks or other applicable local, state, or federal regulation.
  • The agricultural use must produce gross income of $5,000 or more to the operator, with prior-calendar-year proof of income.
  • The owner must submit current income documentation and sign an affidavit under oath.
  • A $25 agriculture-exempt compliance fee applies.

  minimum agricultural gross income: >= 5000 USD (proof of income from preceding calendar year required) · agriculture-exempt compliance fee: 25 USD (not a building-permit fee)

  “If these structures are declared Bona Fide Agriculture Structures and will be used for agricultural purposes they are exempt from County building code inspections and building code fees.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division of lots in the A-1 Agriculture District on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township where the cited special-use provision applies.

  • The division must meet the Illinois Plat Act and LaSalle County Subdivision Control Ordinance.
  • If a division leaves less than 35 acres, the remaining acreage requires an additional special use to be buildable unless special use is specified for both lots less than 35 acres.
  • The special-use hearing fee under that section is $300 regardless of proposed lot size.

  special-use hearing fee: 300 USD (Section 7.1-4 proposed lot division)

  “The division of the proposed lot must meet the requirements of the Illinois Plat Act and the LaSalle County Subdivision Control Ordinance.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential construction inside Wallace Township.
• Minimum dwelling size — Single-family dwellings on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.
• Minimum lot size — Residential lots on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.
• Lot coverage — Residential lots on unincorporated land inside Wallace Township.
• Camping on your land — Temporary private camping inside Wallace 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.