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

Rules another office applies inside Ashton Township

Ashton Township does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Septic and private sewage disposal systems on unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL (land outside any incorporated municipality)

  • The county board of health issues septic permits under the county code (permit-required rule in Chapter 8-2-9).
  • Alternative systems must meet Illinois Department of Public Health rules and regulations for alternative septic systems (state rule applies inside the county).
  • Where a connection is made to a public sewer, arrangements are made with the municipality owning the sewer rather than the county board of health.

  “no septic tank, privy vault, sink drain, or sewage disposal system shall be erected, constructed, or repaired in this county, except in accordance with this chapter, and it shall be unlawful to proceed with such work unless a permit has first been obtained from the county board of health; provided, however, that where the connection is to be made to a public sewer, arrangements shall be made with the municipality owning the sewer rather than the county board of health.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Erecting, constructing, or repairing a septic tank or sewage disposal system on unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL (land outside any incorporated municipality)

  • Permit must be obtained from the county board of health before the work proceeds; applications are approved by the county health department and permits issued before any construction or repair and before the building permit is issued.
  • Where the connection is to a public sewer, arrangements are made with the municipality owning the sewer rather than the county board of health.
  • Each application must include a plat and drawings, plans and specifications, and soil classification results.
  • Fees are in the permit_fees claim; the code's fee table lists increases in 2027 and 2030 (every 3 years).

  “no septic tank, privy vault, sink drain, or sewage disposal system shall be erected, constructed, or repaired in this county, except in accordance with this chapter, and it shall be unlawful to proceed with such work unless a permit has first been obtained from the county board of health”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Alternative septic systems installed on unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL (inspection requirement verified only for alternative systems)

  • Inspection is required after installation and before backfilling for all new alternative septic systems.
  • Standard (non-alternative) septic inspection rules are in Section 8-2-7 (inspections), whose text was not captured.
  • Lee County health department reserves the right to require sand filters behind aeration package treatment plants (Section 8-2-8(c)).

  “inspection prior to backfill: all new alternative septic systems must be inspected after installation prior to backfilling.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Septic (sewage disposal) permit application fees for unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL; building permit fees are not covered

  • Fees are as stated in Section 8-2-9(c) of the Lee County Code; the fee table in the same section lists increases in 2027 (tank only $150.00; tank/field only $250.00; non-residential $350.00) and 2030 (tank only $175.00; tank/field only $275.00; non-residential $375.00).
  • Owner-installed residential systems on the owner's own property pay twice the amount of a contractor-installed residential system.
  • A late filing fee set by the Lee County Board of Health is paid to the county health department for late applications.
  • The fee may be altered by amendment to the Lee County code.

  septic tank-only installation permit application fee (contractor-submitted), current: 125 USD (Increases to $150.00 in 2027 and $175.00 in 2030 per the fee table) · septic residential permit application fee (contractor-submitted), current: 225 USD (Increases to $250.00 in 2027 and $275.00 in 2030 per the fee table) · septic commercial permit application fee (contractor-submitted), current: 325 USD (Increases to $350.00 in 2027 and $375.00 in 2030 per the fee table)

  “a fee of twice the amount of a contractor-installed residential system must accompany each sewage application submitted by the property owner installing a septic system on their own residential property.”

• Permit processPartial

  Septic permit application process for unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL; building permit process not covered

  • Application must be in writing in the form prescribed by the health authority.
  • Applications are approved by the county health department and permits issued before any construction or repair and before the building permit is issued.
  • Soil classification results must accompany each application.

  “application for permits under this section shall be in writing and in such form as prescribed by the health authority.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits for new construction on unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL
• Building code adopted — Building code adoption affecting unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction on unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes on unincorporated land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL
• Local zoning — Land inside Ashton township, Lee County, IL: whether the township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance

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.