Bolthole Index

Mercer County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Aledo, Illinois

Aledo, Illinois requires a city building permit for a new home, with construction drawings and a registered-surveyor plat of survey.1 Aledo enforces its own zoning ordinance; Mercer County Health Department handles private wastewater approvals, while the city controls required public sewer connections.234 For an Aledo lot, settle the sewer connection question before budgeting for septic.4

At a glance

Building permits
City building permit required for new homes and listed construction1
Zoning
City zoning ordinance enforced by Aledo Code Administration2
Septic approval
Mercer County Health Department; confirm city sewer requirements first34
Sewer connection
Required on qualifying occupied properties when city sewer is within 200 feet of the property line, within 60 days after official notice4
Owner-builder
Contractor-license exception for qualifying owner occupants doing their own work; building permits still apply5
Driveway
City driveway permit and City form required; survey if field inspection determines necessary6
Private wells
Illinois requires a permit before construction, modification or sealing; ask the health department which office processes the application78

Who to call

Building permits

Aledo Code Administration

City building-permit, plan-review, inspection and zoning questions

309-582-7241, ext. 205

120 N College Avenue Aledo IL 61231

Septic permits

Mercer County Health Department

County onsite wastewater construction and repair applications; ask about private-well routing

(309) 582-3759

305 NW 7th Street Aledo, Illinois 61231

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Aledo, IL?

Yes: new homes inside Aledo city limits need an all-inclusive city building permit, construction drawings and a registered-surveyor plat of survey.1 Aledo uses the 2021 International Residential Code, as locally amended, for single-family and two-family dwellings, including construction, alterations, additions and rehabilitation.9

Aledo’s permit schedule also covers residential garages, fences, decks, permanent or fixed accessory structures, demolition, sewers and driveways.1 Building-permit fees depend on construction cost; the city lists a $25 plan-review fee plus review cost and a $50 fee per after-hours inspection.10 Ask Code Administration for the city fee calculation for your project.2

Who issues building permits and answers zoning questions in Aledo?

Start with Aledo Code Administration for a project inside city limits; call 309-582-7241, ext. 205 to arrange an inspector appointment.2 The city office is at 120 N College Avenue Aledo IL 61231.2 Bring the proposed project description, and ask the city official to identify the applicable building-permit submission and zoning requirements.112

For land outside Aledo city limits, use the Mercer County guide: the county zoning ordinance applies to land outside incorporated municipalities.12 Private wastewater approval remains a Mercer County Health Department responsibility; Aledo’s public sewer connection requirements are a separate city decision.34

Does Aledo have zoning, and can you live in an RV or tiny home?

Aledo enforces a city zoning ordinance through its Code Administration office.2 We could not confirm Aledo’s rules for living in an RV, temporary camping, tiny-home occupancy, accessory dwellings or manufactured-home placement; ask the Building and Zoning Official about your proposed use before buying a lot.2

We also could not confirm Aledo’s applicable minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, setbacks, lot coverage or height schedule; request the parcel’s zoning district and the dimensions the city will require.2 A new dwelling still falls under Aledo’s building-permit and residential-code requirements, so do not assume a small home avoids the city application process.19

How do sewer connections and septic permits work inside Aledo?

Aledo requires qualifying occupied properties abutting a street, alley or right-of-way with city sewer to connect at the owner’s expense when the sewer is within 200 feet of the property line, within 60 days after official notice.4 Ask the city whether that connection requirement applies to your lot before pursuing private sewage disposal.42

Mercer County Health Department requires a permit for constructing or repairing an onsite wastewater system, with a soils evaluation and at least 3 borings by a certified soil classifier.13 Submit the application, soil report and fee to the health department; the listed fees are $200 for contractors and $600 for homeowner installation.13 Aledo separately lists a $25 private sewer permit and inspection fee; ask both offices how the city and county approvals fit your address.108

What are the steps for building a home in Aledo?

  1. Ask Aledo Code Administration to confirm the parcel’s city zoning requirements and the proposed residential use.2
  2. Resolve city sewer connection requirements; if private wastewater is applicable, obtain the health department’s soils evaluation and septic approval before system construction.41314
  3. Prepare construction drawings and a registered-surveyor plat for the all-inclusive new-home building permit; drawings need not be sealed unless significant structural issues are evident.11
  4. Obtain the city driveway permit using the City form, with a survey if field inspection determines one is necessary.6
  5. Arrange inspections with Code Administration and ask the city official which completion approvals apply to the home.2

Aledo’s contractor-license exception covers qualifying owners occupying their own single-family or two-family dwelling and doing their own work, with liability retained by the owner; required building permits and state roofing and plumbing licensing rules still apply.5

What should you check before buying a lot in Aledo?

For a proposed private well in Aledo, Illinois requires a permit before constructing a new well, modifying an existing well or sealing an abandoned well, from IDPH or an approved local health department.7 We could not confirm which office processes private-well applications inside Aledo; ask Mercer County Health Department to identify the responsible office.8

We could not confirm Aledo’s local floodplain-development procedure; ask Code Administration about the parcel before planning grading or construction.2 Illinois separately requires approval for construction in regulated floodways, subject to the state program’s scope and exceptions.15 For access involving work in a state-maintained road right-of-way, obtain the IDOT highway permit before work begins, in addition to addressing Aledo’s city driveway permit.166

Watch-outs

  • Aledo’s owner-occupant contractor-license exception does not remove required city building permits or applicable state roofing and plumbing licensing rules.5
  • Aledo’s published certificate-of-occupancy provision covers new business occupancies and changes in use groups, excludes home occupations, and should not be read as confirmation of the final approval procedure for a new home; ask Code Administration.172
  • An Illinois-approved compost toilet does not eliminate wastewater disposal obligations: other domestic wastes must go to a conventional private sewage disposal system, and Aledo’s applicable sewer connection requirement still needs to be addressed.184

Sources

  1. Aledo City Code § 4-1-3, Permit, Plan and Survey Requirements (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  2. Aledo Code Administration (aledoil.gov)
  3. Programs | Mercer County Health, quoted and re-checked
  4. Aledo City Code § 7-1-11, Use of Public Sewers Required (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  5. Aledo City Code § 4-1-7, Contractor Licensing (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  6. Aledo City Code § 4-1-3, Permit, Plan and Survey Requirements (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  7. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. Mercer County Health Department (mchdil.com)
  9. Aledo City Code § 4-1-1, Adoption (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  10. Aledo City Code § 13-1-1, Schedule of Fees (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  11. Aledo City Code § 4-1-3, Permit, Plan and Survey Requirements (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  12. ZONING RESOLUTION, quoted and re-checked
  13. Onsite Wastewater Disposal Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  14. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Permit Program (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Aledo City Code § 4-1-10, New Occupancy Requirements (Aledo), quoted and re-checked
  18. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.130 Human Waste Disposal (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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 Aledo

Aledo’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New one- and two-family dwellings and other listed construction inside Aledo city limits.

    • New one- and two-family dwellings require an all-inclusive permit, construction drawings, and a registered-surveyor plat of survey.
    • New multi-family, commercial, and industrial buildings and additions require an all-inclusive permit and survey.
    • Residential garages, fences, decks, driveways, parking lots, accessory structures that are permanent or fixed in place, demolitions, sewers, and changes in use group have the listed permit requirements.
    • Residential mechanical work does not require a separate permit except as part of the all-inclusive permit for new one- and two-family dwellings and additions.
    “A permit shall be required as herein stated and where required by the adopted Codes. In cases where the permit requirements for an adopted Code conflict with the following schedule, the schedule shall take precedence.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Owners occupying their own single- or two-family dwelling who perform their own work inside Aledo city limits.

    • The owner must occupy the dwelling.
    • The owner assumes all liability for performance by the owner, volunteers, or employees.
    • Illinois licensing statutes still govern roofing and plumbing work.
    • Owners of multi-family and nonresidential buildings must obtain a contractor license and applicable state licenses for their own roofing or plumbing work.
    • The building permit requirement still applies where otherwise required.
    “Exception: Owners who occupy their own single- or two-family dwelling who perform their own work on such structures. Such owners shall assume all liability for performance by himself or herself or their volunteers or employees.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Construction, alteration, addition, rehabilitation, and regulated work inside Aledo city limits.

    • The city adopted the listed codes as amended by Aledo.
    • The 2021 International Residential Code is the sole standard for one- and two-family dwellings.
    • The 2021 International Building Code, Existing Building Code, Property Maintenance Code, Fire Code, Fuel Gas Code, Mechanical Code, Swimming Pool and Spa Code, 2020 National Electrical Code, 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code, and Illinois Plumbing Code are also adopted as stated.
    • Where a code conflicts with a written City Council practice, policy, or procedure, the adopted practice, policy, or procedure prevails.

    International Residential Code edition: 2021 (as amended by the City of Aledo) · International Building Code edition: 2021 (as amended by the City of Aledo)

    “The ICC International Residential Code, edition 2021, is hereby adopted, as amended by the City of Aledo. The Code shall be the sole standard for the construction, alteration, addition and rehabilitation of all one and two-family dwellings.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    New business occupancies and changes in use groups inside Aledo city limits.

    • A certificate of occupancy is required before occupying property for a new business or occupancy use.
    • New businesses may not occupy until issued a certificate of occupancy.
    • A conditional certificate may be issued at the building official's discretion depending on violation severity or other cause such as weather.
    • The process does not apply to home occupations.
    “All new business occupancies and changes in use groups shall obtain a certificate of occupancy from the building official prior to occupying property for the new business or occupancy use.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    Houses, buildings, and properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation, or other purposes inside Aledo city limits where a City public sewer is located within 200 feet of the property line.

    • Connection is required at the owner's expense.
    • The property must abut a street, alley, or right-of-way in which a City public sewer is located or may be located.
    • Connection must occur within 60 days after official notice.
    • The code separately prohibits constructing or maintaining a privy, privy vault, septic tank, cesspool, or other sewage-disposal facility except as provided in the chapter.

    public sewer distance from property line: <= 200 feet · connection deadline after official notice: 60 days

    “The owner of all houses, buildings or properties used for human occupancy, employment, recreation or other purposes situated within the jurisdiction of the City and abutting any street, alley or right-of-way in which there is now located or may in the future be located, a public sewer of the City, is hereby required, at his expense, to install suitable sanitary facilities therein, and to connect such facilities directly with the property public sewer in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, within sixty (60) days after the date of official notice to do so, provided that the public sewer is within two hundred feet (200') of the property line.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Driveway construction inside Aledo city limits.

    • A driveway permit is required.
    • A City form is required.
    • A survey may be required if determined necessary by field inspection.
    “Driveways | Required | City form | Only if determined necessary by field inspection”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    City building, sewer, water, driveway, and related permits inside Aledo city limits.

    • General building-permit fees are based on construction cost.
    • A $50 after-hours inspection fee applies per inspection.
    • A $25 plan-review fee applies plus cost of review.
    • Private sewer permit and inspection fee is $25.
    • Public sewer permit and inspection is $100 per single-family residential or commercial building, $100 per multifamily dwelling unit, $500 per industrial building, and $300 per institutional/governmental building.
    • The City Council may amend fees by ordinance or resolution.
    • The schedule states that where it conflicts with another Code provision, the schedule prevails.
    • The schedule includes amendments through Ordinance 13/2025, passed May 19, 2025.

    private sewer permit and inspection fee: 25 USD · public sewer permit and inspection fee for single-family residential and commercial: 100 USD per building · plan review fee: 25 USD (plus cost of review) · after-hours inspection: 50 USD per inspection

    “The following fees are hereby established, which shall be charged and collected by the City:”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Building-permit applications for construction inside Aledo city limits.

    • The permit schedule controls if it conflicts with an adopted-code permit requirement.
    • New one- and two-family dwellings require construction drawings and a registered-surveyor plat of survey.
    • Drawings need not be sealed unless significant structural issues are evident.
    • New multi-family, commercial, and industrial buildings and additions require signed/sealed plans, subject to a Code-official waiver for minor projects, and a survey.
    • Driveway permits require a City form and a survey only if determined necessary by field inspection.
    • Sewer permits require a City form and a survey only if determined necessary by field inspection.
    “New 1- and 2-family dwellings | Required - permit is to be all inclusive | Construction drawings are required (do not have to be sealed unless significant structural issues are evident) | Plat of survey by registered surveyor is required”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Aledo or Mercer County directly.

  • Zoning districts — Zoning-district map and district schedule inside Aledo city limits.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Aledo city limits.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size inside Aledo city limits.
  • Setbacks — Building setbacks inside Aledo city limits.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage inside Aledo city limits.
13 more unanswered
  • Building height
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Manufactured homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Who permits septic
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Aledo publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Mercer County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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