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

Rules another office applies inside Helvetia Township

Helvetia 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 code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

  Construction subject to Madison County Planning & Development permitting jurisdiction inside Helvetia Township; incorporated-city jurisdiction is not established by this source.

  • The booklet states that the codes and referenced supplemental codes are used in addition to the booklet's requirements.

  International Building Code edition: 2012 · International Residential Code edition: 2012 (One- and two-family dwellings.)

  “As of July 1, 2015 Madison County has adopted the International Building Code, 2012 edition, and the International Residential Code for one and two family dwellings, 2012.”

• InspectionsRequired

  County-permitted construction inside Helvetia Township.

  • Inspections are determined when the permit is approved, must be requested in the proper sequence, and require 24 hours' notice.

  “The inspections are mandatory and must be requested in the proper sequence.”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  County-permitted buildings inside Helvetia Township.

  • A final inspection is required before the certificate is issued; occupancy or use before issuance may be referred for legal action.

  “Additionally all building permits require a final inspection before a certificate of occupancy is issued. The certificate of occupancy must be issued prior to any occupancy/use of the building.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  County-zoned land inside Helvetia Township.

  • The source identifies R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 as single-family residential districts; incorporated-city zoning is not resolved by this claim.

  “Districts R-1, R-2, R-3, and R-4 are intended to be exclusive single-family districts and to meet the needs of those persons wishing single-family housing and the environment associated with such housing.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Single-family dwellings in Madison County R-1 through R-4 districts inside Helvetia Township.

  • Areas not subject to the county district regulations, including incorporated-city land, are not resolved by this claim.

  minimum floor area: >= 620 square feet (Measured from outside walls; utility rooms included; areas not used for living or sleeping excluded.)

  “Single-family dwellings 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.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  One-family detached dwellings in Madison County R-1 districts inside Helvetia Township.

  • The ordinance also requires a minimum width at the established building line.

  minimum lot area: >= 40000 square feet · minimum width at established building line: >= 150 feet

  “Every one-family detached dwelling hereafter erected shall be located on a tract of land having an area of not less than 40,000 square feet and a width at the established building line of not less than 150 feet.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Buildings in Madison County R-1 districts inside Helvetia Township.

  • A side yard adjoining a street must be 40 feet.

  front yard: >= 40 feet · side yard each side: >= 25 feet (40 feet where a side yard adjoins a street.) · rear yard: >= 40 feet

  “A side yard on each side of the zoning lot of not less than 25 feet, except where a side yard adjoins a street the minimum width of the yard shall be increased to 40 feet.”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  Zoning lots in Madison County R-1 districts inside Helvetia Township.

  • Accessory buildings are included.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 15 percent

  “Not more than 15% of the area of a zoning lot may be covered by buildings or structures, including accessory buildings.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Recreational vehicles and campers in county-zoned land inside Helvetia Township.

  • The cited rule regulates storage in agricultural and residential districts and requires campers/camping trailers to be unoccupied.
  • It does not establish permission for residential occupancy.

  maximum stored boats/campers/trailers: <= 4 vehicles (An additional vehicle may be in the front driveway on properties of two acres or more, subject to stated setbacks.)

  “All boats and campers/camping trailers must be unoccupied, and parked in an orderly and organized fashion.”

• Tiny homesLimited

  A single-family dwelling below 620 square feet in county R-1 through R-4 districts inside Helvetia Township.

  • The ordinance lists a dwelling unit less than 620 square feet as a special use.
  • This claim concerns site-built dwelling size and does not classify every product marketed as a tiny home.

  minimum dwelling floor area: >= 620 square feet (A dwelling unit below this size is listed as a special use.)

  “Any dwelling unit less than 620 square feet.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  New or used mobile-home placement in county-zoned land inside Helvetia Township.

  • A special-use permit is not required in R-6 Mobile Home Park Districts, or in R-7 Planned Residential and PD Planned Unit Development districts when mobile homes are specifically listed as permitted.
  • A building permit is required for placement in any district.

  “A SUP shall not be required for locating a new or used mobile home within a (R-6) Mobile Home Park District. Also, a SUP shall not be required in (R-7) Planned Residential Districts and (PD) Planned Unit Development Districts when mobile homes are specifically listed as a permitted use.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Individual private sewage disposal systems inside Helvetia Township.

  • Madison County adopted the Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code by reference.

  “Madison County has continuously been designated by the Illinois Department of Public Health as an authorized agent of the State of Illinois in carrying out the enforcement of provisions of the Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code;”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, alteration, or extension of individual sewage disposal systems inside Helvetia Township.

  • Applications must use department forms and include sufficient information for review.
  • Aerobic wastewater treatment systems may only be installed by a licensed sewage-disposal contractor.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend the individual sewage disposal systems within the County unless a valid permit has been issued by the Building, Zoning and Environmental Department stating the name of the person for which the specific construction, alteration or extension is proposed.”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Homeowner-installed private sewage systems inside Helvetia Township.

  • The homeowner-installed system may not be covered or operated before inspection and written approval.
  • Upon applicant notification, the department is directed to inspect within two days.

  “A private sewage disposal system which has been installed by a home owner for his personal residence shall not be covered or placed in operation until the installation shall be inspected and written approval of the system shall have been issued by the Department.”

• Off-grid sanitationLimited

  Private sewage disposal systems inside Helvetia Township subject to Madison County permitting.

  • A valid county permit is required before construction, alteration, or extension.
  • The system must comply with the county ordinance and incorporated Illinois code.

  “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend the individual sewage disposal systems within the County unless a valid permit has been issued by the Building, Zoning and Environmental Department stating the name of the person for which the specific construction, alteration or extension is proposed.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  A proposed private sewage system in a village or city with public sewer service, or in unincorporated county land with a sewer district, inside Helvetia Township.

  • The applicant must obtain a letter from the relevant jurisdiction stating that sanitary sewer is unavailable within 200 feet of the building or unavailable for connection.

  sewer-unavailability distance: < 200 feet (A jurisdictional letter is required if sanitary sewer is unavailable for connection.)

  “When a private sewage disposal system is proposed within a village or city that has a public sewer system, or from a portion of the unincorporated county that has a sewer district; then a letter from that jurisdiction is required stating the unavailability of sanitary sewers within 200 feet of the building or that the sanitary sewer system is unavailable for connection.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivisions approved under the Madison County Subdivision Control Ordinance inside Helvetia Township.

  • An approved private-sewage subdivision plat must be on file before private sewage permits issue.
  • The Land Use Committee may impose additional requirements.

  “Private Sewage System Permits will not be issued unless it is determined that the system is in compliance with the Private Sewage Subdivision Plat.”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Buildings proposed in a flood hazard area inside Helvetia Township under Madison County permitting.

  • The first floor must be at least two feet above the 100-year base flood elevation.
  • A special-use permit or variance must be granted by the county board and an elevation certificate submitted.

  first-floor elevation above 100-year base flood elevation: >= 2 feet

  “No building is located in a flood area unless the first floor is elevated at least two feet above the 100-year base flood elevation and a special use permit/ variance is granted by the county board.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Madison County private sewage permits and related inspections inside Helvetia Township.

  • Fees are collected at application submission; reinspection fees are collected before scheduling and fees are non-refundable.

  building permit fee/lateral field: 200 USD · lab analysis fee: 50 USD · reinspection fee: 30 USD · above-ground discharge fee: 200 USD · common line fee: 60 USD

  “(1) Building Permit Fee/Lateral Field $200 (2) Lab Analysis Fee $50 (3) Reinspection Fee $30 (4) Above Ground Discharge Fee $200 (5) Common Line $60”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Madison County building-permit applications for land inside Helvetia Township subject to county jurisdiction.

  • A recorded deed and completed application are required.
  • A scaled plot plan is required.
  • The booklet states a 72-hour review period when calling for approval.

  review period: 72 hours (When calling for approval on the building-permit application.)

  “A plot plan must be provided indicating the precise dimensions of the property and the approximate location of existing structures and proposed structures. [...] The drawing must be made to scale. When calling for approval on your building permit application, there is now a 72 hour review period.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — New residential construction inside Helvetia Township.
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder residential construction inside Helvetia Township.
• Local zoning — Land inside Helvetia Township.
• Building height — Buildings inside Helvetia Township.
• Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Helvetia 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.