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

Rules another office applies inside Marion Township

Marion 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 septicCounty (with conditions)

  Septic tanks, privies and sewage disposal systems inside Marion township (Lee County, IL); the county board of health issues the permit. Countywide rule that applies inside Marion township.

  • Where the connection is to be made to a public sewer, arrangements are made with the municipality owning the sewer rather than the county board of health.
  • No Marion township ordinance on septic was found; this county rule is the applicable rule.

  “unless a permit has first been obtained from the County Board of Health”

• Septic permitRequired

  New or repaired septic systems inside Marion township (Lee County, IL), permitted by the Lee County board of health before construction and before the building permit is issued. Countywide rule that applies inside Marion township.

  • Permit application must include a plat of wells, sewers, septic tanks and other facilities plus plans and specifications, and soil classification results, per Section 8-2-9(b).
  • Fee for a contractor-installed residential system is $225.00 and an owner-installed system on the owner's own residential property is twice the contractor fee, per Section 8-2-9(c).
  • Fee schedule increases every three years by $25.00: the code table lists tank/field-only residential at $225.00 (2024), $250.00 (2027) and $275.00 (2030).
  • Alternative systems also require a septic permit before installation under Section 8-2-8(b)(7).

  residential septic permit application fee (contractor-installed, tank and field): 225 USD (owner-installed residential system is twice this fee; tank-only is $125.00; non-residential is $325.00; late filing fee set by county board of health)

  “unless a permit has first been obtained from the County Board of Health”

• Septic inspectionLimited

  Alternative septic systems installed inside Marion township (Lee County, IL); the code text quoted here does not establish inspections for conventional systems. Countywide rule that applies inside Marion township.

  • Inspection must occur after installation and before backfilling for new alternative systems.
  • Section 8-2-7 (general inspections) and the county health department's inspection process were not opened within the research budget.

  “All new alternative septic systems must be inspected after installation prior to backfilling.”

• Well permitRequired

  Construction, deepening, modification or sealing of water wells inside Marion township (Lee County, IL), permitted by the county health authority. Countywide rule that applies inside Marion township.

  • Irrigation wells also require a Lee County health department permit under Section 8-1-5(a)(3).
  • A noncommunity public water supply needs an Illinois Department of Public Health permit.
  • Permit application and fee provisions are in Section 8-1-6, not opened within the research budget.

  “it shall be unlawful to proceed with such work unless a permit has first been obtained from the health authority.”

• Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

  A new home inside Marion township (Lee County, IL) where a public water supply is reasonably available. Countywide rule that applies inside Marion township.

  • Public water is deemed reasonably available when the property is within 300 feet of the supply and connection is practical and permitted by the controlling authority, unless public health significance allows otherwise as determined by the Lee County health department.
  • Where it is reasonably available, the public supply must be the sole source of drinking and culinary water.
  • Sewer connection requirement (Title 8 Chapter 2, Section 8-2-2, 'use of public sewer required') was not opened within the research budget, so no sewer claim is made here.
  • Source is a Lee County board agenda attachment reproducing Title 8 Chapter 1, not the American Legal Publishing copy.

  public water availability distance: <= 300 feet (connection must be practical and permitted by controlling authority; health department may decide otherwise for public health significance)

  “that supply shall be the sole source of water for drinking and culinary purposes.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Septic permit application fees for systems inside Marion township (Lee County, IL); building permit fees for Marion township were not located. Countywide rule that applies inside Marion township.

  • Fees increase every three years by $25.00 per the code; the code table shows 2024, 2027 and 2030 columns, so the 2024 figures are the ones in force as of 2026-10-29 unless the county has amended them.
  • Owner-installed residential systems pay twice the contractor-installed fee.
  • Late filing fee is set by the county board of health and is not published in the code text.

  septic permit application fee (tank-only): 125 USD (residential contractor-installed is $225.00; non-residential is $325.00)

  “one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) for tank-only installation”

• Permit processPartial

  Septic permit process inside Marion township (Lee County, IL); the building permit process was not documented. Countywide rule that applies inside Marion township.

  • Applications need a plat, plans and specifications, and soil classification results, under Section 8-2-9(b).
  • Septic approval comes from the county health department before the building permit is issued; the building permit process itself was not located.

  “permits shall be issued before any construction or repair is undertaken and before the building permit is issued.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for new construction inside Marion township (Lee County, IL)
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from building permits inside Marion township (Lee County, IL)
• Building code adopted — Whether a building code is adopted for construction inside Marion township (Lee County, IL)
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Marion township (Lee County, IL)
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes inside Marion township (Lee County, IL)

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.