Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Metropolis, Illinois
Metropolis is a city in Massac County, Illinois. Metropolis adopts its own zoning, so inside its limits Metropolis’s rules apply, not the county’s. 3 rules below are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked, most recently on October 22, 2026. Rules for unincorporated land are on the Massac County page.
Answers from the rulebook for Metropolis
Metropolis’s own rules
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land inside Metropolis city limits: the city administers its own zoning ordinance, Code of Ordinances Chapter 156 (Zoning)
Per § 156.001 the chapter also applies to contiguous territory not more than 1-1/2 miles beyond the corporate limits and not included in any municipality; this claim covers only land inside city limits.
Section 156.001 carries the note '(ord. 2013-22, passed 11-25-2013)'; recorded as effective_at null because it is a passage note, not a stated effective date.
Code is the American Legal Publishing copy, 2026 s-25 supplement, current through ordinance 2025-59 per the overview page; the official printed code should be checked.
“in accordance with illinois state statute (ilcs ch. 65, act 5, §§ 11-13-1 et seq.), this chapter regulates structures and land uses in order to preserve, protect and promote the public health, safety and welfare through implementation of the city’s comprehensive plan. this document is applicable to land situated within the corporate limits of the city”
Zoning districtsPublished
Zoning districts inside Metropolis city limits as listed in Code of Ordinances Chapter 156
Districts named in the chapter table of contents: 'A' Agricultural district (§§ 156.190-156.193), Single-family districts (§§ 156.205-156.209), Two-family and multiple-family districts (§§ 156.220-156.224), 'C-1' Neighborhood business, 'C-2' Central business, 'C-3' Highway business, 'C-4' Limited business, 'I' Industrial, and 'M' Manufactured home overlay (§§ 156.310-156.317).
The district boundaries and zoning map are at §§ 156.170-156.172; the map text was not opened.
“districts and zoning map “a” agricultural district single-family districts two-family and multiple-family districts “c-1” neighborhood business district”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision of land inside Metropolis city limits
Existence of subdivision chapters is shown in the Title XV table of contents only; the text of Chapter 153 (Subdivisions) and Chapter 154 (Land Subdivision) was not opened, so lot-split, plat and improvement requirements are not recorded.
Chapter 155 (Comprehensive Plan) and Chapter 156 (Zoning) are listed in the same title.
“chapter 153: subdivisions chapter 154: land subdivision chapter 155: comprehensive plan chapter 156: zoning”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Metropolis or Massac County directly.
Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for new construction inside Metropolis city limits
Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Metropolis city limits
Building code adopted — Which building code, if any, Metropolis city adopts inside city limits
Inspections — Building inspections for work inside Metropolis city limits
Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new dwellings inside Metropolis city limits
22 more unanswered
Minimum dwelling size
Minimum lot size
Setbacks
Lot coverage
Building height
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Manufactured homes
Accessory dwellings
Who permits septic
Septic permit
Septic inspection
Off-grid sanitation
Well permit
Mandatory utility hookup
Agricultural exemption
Driveway access
Building in a floodplain
Short-term rentals
Permit fees
Permit process
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 Metropolis publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Massac County’s page lists the county offices to call.
Off-grid gear
Going off-grid in Metropolis means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:
