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

Rules another office applies inside Alhambra Township

Alhambra 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 home construction on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Permit must be applied for and issued before work begins; the permit is active one year from issue.
  • Owner may do the work only if the dwelling will be the primary residence (see owner-builder claim).
  • Applications are filed in person at the Planning and Development Department, 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, except county holidays.
  • Incorporated Village of Alhambra land is not covered by this claim.

  “You must apply for and be issued a building permit prior to beginning construction.”

• Owner-builder exemptionConditional

  Owner-builder construction of a new home on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Available only if the dwelling will be the owner's primary residence.
  • Installing an aerobic treatment unit is excluded; it must be installed by a licensed private sewage installer.

  “Yes, as long as the dwelling will be their primary residence, the owner may do all of the work with the exception of installing an aerobic treatment unit. Aerobic treatment units must be installed by a licensed private sewage installer.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  New residential and commercial construction on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township, under Madison County building review

  • The county FAQ describes county building plan review; it does not say whether the Village of Alhambra or the township uses a different code inside its own limits, which was not verified.

  “Madison County uses the 2024 International Building Code when reviewing building plans for commercial and residential projects.”

• InspectionsRequired

  New home construction on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Final inspection by the building inspector is required before occupancy; the page does not list interim inspection stages.

  “No, the new home may not be occupied until the final inspection has been conducted and the Building Inspector has issued a Certificate of Occupancy.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  New home occupancy on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • The new home may not be occupied before a certificate of occupancy issues.

  certificate of occupancy fee: 30 USD

  “• $30 Certificate of Occupancy Fee [...] No, the new home may not be occupied until the final inspection has been conducted and the Building Inspector has issued a Certificate of Occupancy.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts for unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • The county zoning map covers unincorporated Madison County; the ordinance text listing district uses was not opened.

  “The ordinance specifies permitted and special land uses permitted within designated districts and provides lot and building specifications to regulate construction, development, and business enterprise.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  New single-family dwellings on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Applies to new single-family dwellings; the page gives no separate figure for other housing types.

  minimum dwelling size: >= 620 square feet

  “Yes, new single-family dwellings must be at least 620 square feet.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  New dwelling in the R-1 single-family residential district on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Front yard setback is 40 feet, subject to the county average-front-yard exception (20 to 35 feet where the block average applies).
  • Any yard abutting a public or private roadway is treated as a front yard.

  front yard setback: 40 feet (average front yard exception) · side yard setback: 25 feet · rear yard setback: 40 feet

  ““R-1” Single-Family Residential District • Front yard setback: 40 feet* • Side yard† setback: 25 feet • Rear yard setback: 40 feet”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — New dwelling in the A agriculture district on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

    ““A” Agriculture District • 40 feet from all property lines.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  R-1 single-family residential district on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Applies to buildings and structures including accessory structures.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 15 percent

  ““R-1” Single-Family Residential District • Not more than 15% of the area of a zoning lot may be covered by buildings or structures, including accessory structures.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • None — A agriculture district on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

    “Agriculture District • No lot coverage standard.”

• Accessory dwellingsProhibited

  A second kitchen or mother-in-law suite within a single-family home on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • The county FAQ addresses only a second kitchen or suite inside the home; detached accessory dwellings are not addressed on the page opened.
  • The FAQ treats it as multi-family housing.

  “May I install a second kitchen or mother-in-law suite in my home? No, by definition this constitutes multi-family housing and is not permitted.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage systems on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Installation follows State of Illinois and U.S. EPA requirements as administered by the county.
  • Whether the Madison County Health Department has any role was not stated on the cited page.

  “Inspections and permits for the installation of private sewage systems in accordance with State of Illinois and U.S. EPA requirements”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installation of a private sewage system on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Aerobic treatment units must be installed by a licensed private sewage installer.
  • A new home permit includes a sewage disposal system fee where applicable.

  “Inspections and permits for the installation of private sewage systems in accordance with State of Illinois and U.S. EPA requirements”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation of a private sewage system on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Inspections are part of the county private sewer permit program; the cited page does not list inspection stages or timing.

  “Inspections and permits for the installation of private sewage systems in accordance with State of Illinois and U.S. EPA requirements”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land and subdivision improvements on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • The county lists a subdivision platting process and a Subdivision Control Ordinance; the platting thresholds were not opened.

  “Permits for grading, site development and subdivision improvements.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Structures partly within the 100-year floodplain on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Fill to raise grade above base flood elevation requires FEMA approval before permit issuance.
  • Drainage and slope rules of the zoning and stormwater ordinances also apply.

  finished floor elevation above base flood elevation: >= 2 feet

  “If any part of the proposed structure is located in the 100 year floodplain, you must provide an elevation certificate from a licensed surveyor or engineer indicating that the finished floor elevation is two (2) feet above the base flood elevation.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  New home permit fees on unincorporated land inside Alhambra township

  • Fee is $0.15 per square foot based on total square footage, not living space.
  • The county also lists a separate permit fee schedule that was not opened; other permit types may carry different fees.
  • Cash is accepted up to $300; debit and credit card payments carry a service fee.

  new home permit fee per square foot: 0.15 USD (based on total square footage) · electrical fee: 50 USD · plumbing fee: 60 USD · sewage disposal system fee: 200-250 USD (if applicable) · certificate of occupancy fee: 30 USD

  “A new home permit is subject to the following fees: • $0.15 per square foot (based on total square footage, not living space) • $50 Electrical Fee • $60 Plumbing Fee • $200-$250 Sewage Disposal System Fee (if applicable) • $30 Certificate of Occupancy Fee”

Still unanswered

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

• Local zoning — Alhambra township, Madison County, Illinois (unincorporated land only)
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area for residential and agricultural districts inside Alhambra township
• Building height — Building height inside Alhambra township
• Living in an RV — Occupying an RV on private land inside Alhambra township
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Alhambra 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.