Bolthole Index

Madison County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic in the Village of Godfrey, Illinois

The Village of Godfrey, Illinois requires building permits for new residential construction through its Building and Zoning Department.1 Godfrey administers its own zoning, including district-specific limits on RV occupancy.2345 For a property in Madison County using septic, Illinois requires separate sewage-system plan approval from IDPH or the applicable local authority before construction.6

At a glance

Building permits
Village Building and Zoning Department issues building permits for new homes, additions and alterations.1
Zoning
Godfrey administers village zoning; requirements depend on the district.2
Septic
Plan approval from IDPH or the applicable local authority is required before construction.6
RV living
RV occupancy is prohibited in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 districts.345
Minimum home size
R-3 single-family dwellings need at least 620 square feet per unit under the specified measurement rules.7
Owner-builder
Illinois allows qualifying owner occupants to do plumbing work, subject to code, inspection and local permit requirements.89
Wells
New well construction, well modification and abandoned-well sealing require a permit from IDPH or an approved local health department.10

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Godfrey Building and Zoning Department

Village building permits, plan review, zoning classifications, rezoning and variance applications, and construction inspections.

(618) 466-1206

[email protected]

6810 Godfrey Road

Septic permits

Madison County Planning & Development — Private Sewage Permits & Inspections

County private sewage permitting and inspections; ask whether the county receives the application for the specific Godfrey address.

(618)296-4663

[email protected]

157 N. Main Street, Suite 254

Septic permits

Illinois Department of Public Health — Private Sewage Disposal

State private sewage regulation and plan approval; confirm the applicable local reviewing authority.

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Village of Godfrey means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in the Village of Godfrey, IL?

Godfrey’s Building and Zoning Department issues building permits for new residential construction, additions and alterations, and reviews the plans related to those applications.1 The department also lists plumbing, roofing, pools, decks, fences, electrical work and signs among the work requiring its permits.1 Godfrey’s published adopted codes are the 2018 International Building Code and 2017 NEC electrical code.11 Illinois also requires statewide baseline building codes, so ask the village which current requirements apply to your proposed home.12 The village identifies Resolution 2024-15 as its current building permit and inspection fee resolution; request the applicable charges from Building and Zoning before budgeting the project.13

Who issues building permits and zoning approvals in the Village of Godfrey?

For a home inside Godfrey village limits, contact the Village of Godfrey Building and Zoning Department at (618) 466-1206 or [email protected].1 The department verifies zoning classifications, reviews building plans, and processes rezoning and variance applications.1 Ask the village to identify the parcel’s zoning before you select a house plan or locate a building on the lot.1 Godfrey requires 24-hour notice for inspections and does not provide same-day inspections, so arrange inspection scheduling with the department ahead of the construction stage.1 For land outside village limits, consult the Madison County guide: the county’s building permit requirements apply to unincorporated Madison County.14

Does the Village of Godfrey have zoning, lot limits and setbacks?

Godfrey has its own zoning ordinance, with separate single-family, multiple-family and manufactured-home/modular-home residential districts.2 In Godfrey’s R-3 district, the minimum front yard is 25 feet and the minimum rear yard is 30 feet.15 R-3 side yards depend on building-line width, with a minimum of 10 feet on one side and a 25-foot street-side yard where the side yard adjoins a street; the general yard requirements also apply.15 Buildings and structures, including accessory structures, may cover no more than 35% of an R-3 lot.16 An R-3 single-family residence may not exceed 2 stories unless a variance is granted.17 These are R-3 requirements; ask village Building and Zoning to confirm the district and applicable dimensional rules for your parcel.1

How do septic permits work inside the Village of Godfrey?

Illinois requires approval of a new private sewage disposal system’s plans from IDPH or the applicable local authority before construction begins.6 The rule also requires at least 48 hours’ notice before installation, repair or modification work begins.6 IDPH regulates private sewage disposal systems serving Godfrey, and local agencies may also review plans.18 Madison County Planning & Development states that it permits and inspects private sewage installation and allows private sewage only where public sewer is unavailable and cannot be extended to the property line, with acceptable soil conditions.19 We could not confirm the application routing specifically inside Godfrey village limits; ask the county’s private sewage office and village Building and Zoning which office will accept your address’s plans.18191

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in the Village of Godfrey?

Godfrey prohibits RV occupancy at any time in the R-1, R-2 and R-3 zoning districts, so those districts do not offer an RV-living option while you build.345 The same districts allow an unoccupied RV to be stored in a side or rear yard only if garaged or appropriately screened; storage permission does not authorize occupancy.345 In R-3, a single-family dwelling must have at least 620 square feet per unit, measured from outside walls with utility rooms included and nonliving or nonsleeping areas excluded.7 R-1 accessory buildings and structures cannot be used for residential purposes.20 We could not confirm a separate Godfrey tiny-home rule; ask village Building and Zoning how the proposed dwelling would be classified.1

Building a home in the Village of Godfrey: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Godfrey Building and Zoning to verify the parcel’s district and review the proposed use; bring any rezoning or variance question to that office.1
  2. Resolve the sewage plan before construction: obtain approval from IDPH or the applicable local authority for a new private sewage system.6
  3. If using a private well, obtain the required permit from IDPH or an approved local health department before construction, modification or abandoned-well sealing.10
  4. Submit building plans to Godfrey’s Building and Zoning Department and arrange the applicable building permits.1
  5. Schedule village inspections with at least 24 hours’ notice.1
  6. When buying an existing property, arrange Godfrey’s required ownership-change occupancy permit; applications are online, but payment is not accepted online or by phone.21

What should you check before buying land in the Village of Godfrey?

Ask Godfrey Building and Zoning to confirm whether the proposed house, accessory buildings and intended use fit the parcel’s zoning classification.1 If the parcel needs private sewage, ask Madison County Planning & Development about public sewer availability and acceptable soil conditions before relying on septic.19 Madison County’s soil data rate only 9.2% of soils “not limited” for conventional septic drain fields; this county-wide measure supports getting a site evaluation, not concluding that septic is impossible on a particular Godfrey lot.22 Illinois requires authorization for construction in regulated floodways and generally in floodplains without a delineated floodway, so establish whether the proposed building site triggers that review.23 Work in a state-maintained highway right-of-way, including driveway access, requires IDOT permission.24

Watch-outs

  • A Godfrey ownership change requires an occupancy permit, even when the purchase does not involve new construction.21
  • Illinois’s qualifying owner-occupant plumbing exemption still requires code compliance and inspections, and does not remove local plumbing permit requirements.89
  • Godfrey’s R-1, R-2 and R-3 RV storage provisions do not allow the stored RV to be occupied.345

Sources

  1. Village of Godfrey Building and Zoning Department (godfreyil.org)
  2. Section 60.500. Residential districts (R) (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  3. library.municode.com (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  4. library.municode.com (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  5. library.municode.com (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  6. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Section 60.518. R-3 single-family residence district requirements (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  8. HB5913 Enrolled — Illinois Plumbing License Law amendment (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 225 ILCS 320/18 — Local regulation; Department standards (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. Building and Zoning - Village of Godfrey (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  12. Building Codes and Regulations (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Fee Schedule - Village of Godfrey (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  14. Building Permits & Inspections (2026 county census)
  15. Section 60.518. R-3 single-family residence district requirements (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  16. Section 60.518. R-3 single-family residence district requirements (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  17. Section 60.518. R-3 single-family residence district requirements (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  18. Private Sewage Disposal - Illinois Department of Public Health (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  19. Madison County Planning & Development — Private Sewage Permits & Inspections (madisoncountyil.gov)
  20. Section 60.509. Standards applicable to accessory uses and structures (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  21. Building and Zoning - Village of Godfrey (Village of Godfrey), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Permit Program (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Village of Godfrey

Village of Godfrey’s own rules

  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Building construction inside Godfrey village limits.

    • The village page separately identifies the electrical code as the 2017 NEC.

    building code: 2018 International Building Code · electrical code: 2017 NEC

    “The Village of Godfrey has Adopted the following: Building Code used by the Village of Godfrey: 2018 International Building Code Electric Code used by the Village of Godfrey: 2017 NEC”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    A property changing ownership inside Godfrey village limits.

    • The official page states the requirement for an ownership change; it does not establish a universal certificate requirement for every occupancy scenario.
    • Applications are available online.
    • The village does not accept payment over the phone or online.
    • Buyer and seller information must be complete.
    “Anytime a property changes owner an Occupancy permit is required.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Godfrey village limits; the village adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance.

    “The residential zoning districts within the Village of Godfrey shall consist of single-family residence districts designated R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4. The multiple-family dwelling district is designated R-5. The manufactured homes (mobile homes)/modular homes district is designated R-6.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Godfrey village zoning districts.

    • Residential districts include R-1, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5, and R-6.
    • The supplied code excerpts did not establish the complete list of all nonresidential districts.
    “The residential zoning districts within the Village of Godfrey shall consist of single-family residence districts designated R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4. The multiple-family dwelling district is designated R-5. The manufactured homes (mobile homes)/modular homes district is designated R-6.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Single-family residences in the R-3 district.

    • Measured from outside walls.
    • Includes utility rooms.
    • Excludes areas not used for living or sleeping purposes.

    minimum total floor area per dwelling unit: >= 620 square feet (Measurement and exclusions specified in the ordinance)

    “Single-family residences in the R-3 zoning district shall have a total floor area of not less than 620 square feet for each dwelling unit, measured from the outside walls, including utility rooms, but excluding all other areas not used for living or sleeping purposes.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Zoning lots in the R-3 district.

    • Side yard is 10 percent of building-line width, but not less than 10 feet on one side.
    • When a side yard adjoins a street, the minimum side yard adjacent to the street is 25 feet.
    • General yard requirements in section 60.206 also apply.

    front yard: >= 25 feet · rear yard: >= 30 feet · side yard: 10% of building-line width, but not less than 10 feet on one side (25 feet where side yard adjoins a street)

    “Each zoning lot in the R-3 district shall have a front yard of not less than 25 feet which shall establish the minimum building line for the lot; a side yard on each side of the zoning lot is to be ten percent of the building line width, but not less than ten feet on one side, except where a side yard adjoins a street, in which case the minimum width of the side yard adjacent to the street shall be 25 feet; and a rear yard of not less than 30 feet. See section 60.206 for general yard requirements.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Zoning lots in the R-3 district.

    • Accessory buildings and structures are included.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 35 percent

    “Not more than 35 percent of the area of the zoning lot may be occupied by buildings and structures, including all accessory buildings and structures.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Single-family residences in the R-3 district.

    • A variance may be granted under section 60.907 et seq.

    maximum height: <= 2 stories (Unless a variance is granted)

    “No single-family residence shall have a height greater than two stories in the R-3 district, unless a variance is granted pursuant to section 60.907 et seq.”
  • Living in an RVProhibited

    Recreational-vehicle occupancy in the R-1 zoning district.

    • One unoccupied recreational vehicle may be stored in a side or rear yard only if garaged or appropriately screened.
    • One boat or one unoccupied recreational vehicle is prohibited in a front yard.
    “No recreational vehicle shall be occupied at any time while located in the R-1 district.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Prohibited — Recreational-vehicle occupancy in the R-2 zoning district.
      “No recreational vehicle shall be occupied at any time while located in the R-2 district.”
    • Prohibited — Recreational-vehicle occupancy in the R-3 zoning district.
      “No recreational vehicle shall be occupied at any time while located in the R-3 district.”
  • Accessory dwellingsProhibited

    Residential use of accessory buildings and structures in the R-1 district.

    • The rule applies to accessory buildings and structures, not necessarily every possible accessory dwelling configuration.
    “Accessory buildings and structures shall not be used for any residential purpose.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Manufactured-home developments in the R-6 district.

    • Developments are subject to review, compliance, and approval under the village subdivision ordinance.
    “Such developments shall be subject to review, compliance and approval under the provisions of the village subdivision ordinance.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Building permit and inspection fees administered by Godfrey.

    • The page identifies Resolution 2024-15 as the current fee resolution.
    • The reviewed page did not expose the individual fee amounts.

    current fee resolution: Resolution 2024-15

    “CURRENT RESOLUTION FEES IS BELOW Resolution 2024-15 Revised Fees for Building Permit And Inspections”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Godfrey

Village of Godfrey 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 septicState

    Private sewage disposal systems serving property inside Godfrey village limits; local health agencies may also review plans as agents or under local ordinance.

    • The Illinois Department of Public Health regulates installation and reviews and approves plans before construction.
    • The source states that local health agencies may also review construction plans.
    “The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems).”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions inside Godfrey village limits.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Godfrey village limits.
  • Septic permit — Private sewage systems inside Godfrey village limits.
  • Septic inspection — Private sewage systems inside Godfrey village limits.
  • Well permit — Private wells inside Godfrey village limits.
2 more unanswered
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Short-term rentals

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Village of Godfrey publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Madison County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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