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

Rules another office applies inside Bradford Township

Bradford 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

  Construction in the unincorporated portions of Bradford Township administered through the Lee County Building and Zoning Office.

  • The county page covers any construction, including agricultural, private, commercial, portable sheds, pools, fencing, signage, solar, and floodplain/floodway development.
  • The building-permit application is for any structure other than a fence or pool; fence and pool have separate applications.
  • A site plan is required to submit the building-permit application; architectural plans are required although the application may be submitted before they are uploaded.
  • A submitted application and assigned number do not authorize work; only a placard and an approval letter authorize a project to begin.

  “Building Permit Application (ANY STRUCTURE other than a Fence or Pool. Those two applications are below.)”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Unincorporated land inside Bradford Township, where county zoning jurisdiction applies.

  • The applicable district must be determined for the particular parcel.
  • The official county page states that allowed uses differ by zone.

  “The unincorporated area of the county is divided into districts or "zones". Certain types of uses are allowed in each of these zones. The ordinance lists those uses.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems installed inside Bradford Township, as part of Lee County.

  • Systems must comply with Lee County and Illinois State Private Sewage Codes.
  • For systems serving fewer than 15 persons, the County Board of Health determines requirements using circular-code specifications.
  • The type and size of a tank-effluent disposal system is determined by the County Board of Health and is based largely on soil investigations by a soil classifier or Illinois licensed professional engineer.

  soil borings per soil absorption system site: >= 3 borings

  “Permits are issued and inspections are conducted of private sewage disposal systems installed in Lee County.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private sewage disposal systems installed inside Bradford Township, as part of Lee County.

  • Fees are required for permits.
  • Systems must be installed under specific Lee County and Illinois State Private Sewage Codes.

  “Permits are issued and inspections are conducted of private sewage disposal systems installed in Lee County. All systems must be installed in accordance with specific Lee County and Illinois State Private Sewage Codes.. Fees are required for permits.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Owner-installed private septic systems inside Bradford Township, as part of Lee County.

  • The owner must request an inspection after the tank is set and the first trench is dug, before rock or pipe is placed in the trench.
  • The owner must request a final inspection after installation and before trenches are backfilled.
  • A property owner installing their own septic system must take the specified written open-book test; an owner may be assisted by a licensed septic contractor.

  written test passing score: >= 75 percent (Property-owner septic installation) · test retake interval: >= 24 hours (Test may be taken twice)

  “Property owners installing a septic system on their own property must meet the following requirements:”

• Well permitRequired

  New wells installed inside Bradford Township, as part of Lee County.

  • All new wells must comply with specific Lee County codes and rules and regulations.
  • Fees are required for permits.
  • Abandoned wells must be sealed under the Illinois Water Well Construction Code and Lee County Code.

  “Permits are issued on all new wells which are installed in Lee County. All systems must be installed in accordance with specific Lee County Codes and Rules and Regulations. Fees are required for permits.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Division of land in the unincorporated portions of Bradford Township.

  • A preliminary plat must be approved before a final plat is submitted.
  • Preliminary plats undergo staff review and a Planning Committee hearing.
  • The zoning administrator approves final plats.
  • One-lot subdivisions often require county approval, though some may be exempt or approved by the Planning Commission.

  “The Zoning Department is responsible for regulating the division of land in the unincorporated areas of Lee County.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-built residential buildings in Bradford Township.
• Building code adopted — Residential construction inside Bradford Township.
• Inspections — Building-code inspections for residential construction in Bradford Township.
• Certificate of occupancy — New residential occupancy in Bradford Township.
• Local zoning — Whether Bradford Township itself has adopted 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.