Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Algonquin, Illinois

Village of Algonquin’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Building work inside Algonquin village, administered by the Community Development Department.

  • The page says the list of work needing no permit is not inclusive; examples on the page: fence repair (no, if 3 sections or less), fish pond under 24 inches (no), portable firepit 25 feet from structure (no), gutters and downspouts (yes), garage service door (yes), radon mitigation (yes if electrical needed).
  • Construction may proceed after the permit is issued.
  • Portable storage containers on site more than 14 days need a permit (section 21.15).

  “a building permit is required before you erect, construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, improve, remove, convert, or demolish any building or structure in the village.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Construction inside Algonquin village. The village lists the building codes it has adopted (Municipal Chapter 23, Building Codes).

  • The page lists 2018 IRC, 2018 IBC, 2018 IFC, 2018 IMC, 2018 IFGC, 2017 NEC, 2024 IECC, 2018 IEBC, 2018 IPMC, 2018 IAC, and the Illinois State Plumbing Code (current edition).
  • The page also says the village has adopted new building codes and fees; the fee schedule was not found.

  “we have adopted following building codes. 2018 (irc) international residential code”

• Certificate of occupancyRequired

  Residents moving into a newly constructed home inside Algonquin village.

  • The stated requirement covers newly constructed homes; the page does not say whether it applies to existing homes or changes of occupancy.
  • A certificate of occupancy application form is listed on the page.

  “residents moving into a newly constructed home need to obtain a certificate of occupancy permit from the community development department prior to moving into their home.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Algonquin village limits. The village adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance (Chapter 21, Algonquin Zoning Ordinance).

  • Chapter 21 page stamps show later amendments (12/21/21, 5/21/24); the copy reviewed is a compilation, so check the Village Clerk for the current adopted text.
  • Algonquin spans Kane and McHenry counties; this claim covers the village's own zoning and does not decide which county health department handles septic or well matters.

  “the zoning ordinance passed and approved by the village board of the village of algonquin on the 1st day of april 2003, and as subsequently amended, is herewith and now comprehensively amended as follows:”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts inside Algonquin village (residential R-1 to R-5, R-1e, R-1a; business B-1, B-2, O&D, O-T; industrial I-1, I-2, B-P). Districts are listed in the chart and sections 21.06-21.10 of Chapter 21.

  • The zoning map is referenced in section 21.04 but was not opened, so district boundaries are not verified here.
  • No agricultural or rural-residential district was found in the residential use chart reviewed.

  “the following uses are considered permitted uses in the residential dwelling districts.”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Residential zoning districts (including R-1, the main single-family district) inside Algonquin village. Numeric setbacks are in the section 21.05 bulk chart, which could not be read reliably in the extracted text.

  • Setbacks are set per district in the 21.05 bulk chart, not in the 21.07 text.
  • Permitted obstructions may extend into required yards: terraces, awnings and canopies, and chimneys if the side yard is not reduced below 5 feet; steps not over 4 feet; breezeways, open porches and decks (rear yards only); open parking areas.
  • Accessory buildings have separate setback rules in section 21.15 (not reviewed in full).

  “c. setback requirements. see section 21.5, bulk chart, herein.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Storage or parking of recreational vehicles on residential lots inside Algonquin village (section 21.15, accessory buildings and uses). This is a parking and storage rule, not a rule on living in an RV.

  • Applies in residential districts where parking facilities are incorporated.
  • Parked RVs must be in a fully enclosed building or on a hard surface of at least 2 inches of asphalt or 4 inches of concrete.
  • Recreational vehicles may only be set up for maintenance purposes for a period not to exceed 48 hours.
  • RVs must be licensed, in good repair, and not encroach into the right-of-way or sidewalk; parking an RV on public property is prohibited.
  • The code says to see chapter 23 (building code) for specific information; not opened.

  maximum RVs visible on a zoning lot: <= 2 vehicles · maximum set-up time for maintenance: <= 48 hours

  “recreational vehicles may only be set up for maintenance purposes for a period not to exceed 48 hours.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions and planned developments inside Algonquin village. The zoning chapter sends subdivision procedure to the village code.

  • Subdivision procedure is in Section 22.03 of the Algonquin code, which was not opened.
  • Planned developments of eight or more units are treated as planned developments (Section 21.11).

  “for specific information regarding the application and procedure refer to section 22.03, subdivision/planned development procedures, of this code.”

• Permit processPublished

  Building permit applications inside Algonquin village, handled by the Community Development Department (847-658-2700, option 3; [email protected]).

  • Online forms exist for building, certificate of occupancy, and other permits; plan resubmittal form also listed.
  • Commercial permits need one electronic copy of plans; after approval, one paper copy stamped for the job site.

  plan review time: <= up to five weeks weeks

  “permit review may take up to five weeks; please plan ahead.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Algonquin village
• Inspections — Building inspections for work inside Algonquin village
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for single-family homes in R-1 and other residential districts inside Algonquin village
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area for R-1 (main single-family district) and other residential districts inside Algonquin village
• Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits inside Algonquin village

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.