Bolthole Index

Montgomery County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Montgomery County, Illinois

61Index Score / 100
#52 of 102 in Illinois

Montgomery County, Illinois does not issue a conventional building permit, but construction and improvements require a Structural Improvement Permit that notifies the county for assessment purposes1. Unincorporated rural Montgomery County has no county zoning ordinance, though city or village zoning can apply inside a municipality2. A private sewage system needs approval through the Montgomery County Health Department under Illinois rules3.

At a glance

Building permit
No conventional county building permit; file the county's Structural Improvement notification for construction or improvements1
Zoning
No county zoning ordinance in rural areas; city or village zoning may apply inside municipalities2
Septic permit
Plan approval is required through the Montgomery County Health Department under Illinois regulation34
RV living
Long-term RV occupancy on private land is unconfirmed; ask the County Coordinator and Health Department before relying on it56
Tiny home
No rural county-zoning restriction on tiny-home occupancy or minimum dwelling size, but building-code, septic and other rules still apply78
Owner-builder
No county owner-builder exemption could be confirmed; ask the assessment office what notifications apply910
Private well
Illinois requires a permit from IDPH or an approved local health department before construction, modification or sealing11

Who to call

Building permits

Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments

Structural Improvement notifications for construction and improvements, used for county assessment purposes

(217) 532-9595

[email protected]

1 Courthouse Square Room 201, Hillsboro, IL 62049

Zoning

Montgomery County Coordinator

County-level questions about the absence of rural zoning; municipal zoning questions go to the applicable village or city clerk

(217) 532-9577

[email protected]

#1 Courthouse Square Room 202, Hillsboro, IL 62049

Septic permits

Montgomery County Health Department

Private sewage-disposal applications, installation inspections and final approval

217-532-2001

11191 IL. Rte. 185, Hillsboro, IL 62049

Also useful

Montgomery County 911 Addressing

Assigns addresses to improved or new rural properties outside city and village limits after county review

(217) 532-9560

[email protected]

120 North Main St., Hillsboro, IL 62049

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Montgomery County, Illinois?

Montgomery County does not issue a conventional building permit, but the county requires a Structural Improvement Permit to notify it that construction or an improvement is taking place for assessment purposes1. File that notification before construction; failure to file can bring a fine of up to $500 per day after completion1. The notification does not replace city, township, subdivision or state requirements12. Illinois has imposed statewide baseline building-code requirements since 2025, including a framework for jurisdictions that have not adopted a local building code13. Montgomery County's actual countywide building-code adoption and inspection programs remain unconfirmed, so ask the Supervisor of Assessments what your project must submit and which authority will inspect it10.

Who handles building permits in Montgomery County, and how do you reach them?

Start with the Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments at (217) 532-9595 or [email protected], at 1 Courthouse Square Room 201, Hillsboro, IL 6204910. That office receives the Structural Improvement notification; Montgomery County describes the filing as an assessment notice, not a conventional building permit10. For a new rural address, the same office starts a county review that moves through highway review for floodplain issues, health review for potential well issues and then Montgomery County 911 Addressing14. The 911 office assigns addresses to improved or new properties outside city and village limits14. If the parcel is inside a municipality, contact its city or village clerk for local zoning and permit requirements15.

Does Montgomery County have zoning?

Unincorporated rural Montgomery County has no county zoning ordinance2. That means county zoning does not impose a rural minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, setback, lot-coverage limit or building-height limit816171819. The same no-zoning conclusion removes county land-use restrictions on a tiny home, manufactured home or accessory dwelling in rural unincorporated areas, but it does not waive building-code, health, septic, subdivision, access or state requirements72021. Inside an incorporated municipality, ask the village or city clerk because local zoning requirements vary15. County zoning silence also does not confirm a parcel-specific driveway or floodplain approval, so use the structural-notification review before finalizing a site plan14.

How do septic permits work in Montgomery County?

The Montgomery County Health Department administers the local sewage-disposal application and inspection process, while IDPH regulates private sewage systems statewide3. Obtain plan approval from the department or other applicable local authority before starting a new system4. The county application lists a $50 application fee and requires the Health Department's final inspection and approval before any part of the system is covered6. Call 217-532-2001 two working days before installation to request the inspection6. Conventional septic feasibility deserves early attention because only about 4.9% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field22. Illinois also approves specified privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets and compost toilets for human waste, but other domestic waste still needs a conventional private sewage system23.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Montgomery County?

A tiny home faces no county-zoning restriction on occupancy or minimum dwelling size in rural unincorporated Montgomery County, but building-code, septic, health, subdivision and state requirements still apply78. A manufactured home likewise faces no rural county-zoning restriction, while Illinois installation and licensing requirements still apply2024. Long-term RV occupancy and temporary camping on an ordinary private parcel remain unconfirmed; the statewide campground rule concerns regulated campgrounds and does not answer private-land residence25. Ask the County Coordinator about land use and the Health Department about wastewater before buying or placing an RV56. Inside a city or village, obtain the municipality's own zoning answer rather than relying on the rural county rule15.

Building a home in Montgomery County: the steps, in order

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is rural unincorporated land or inside a city or village, because municipal zoning can apply even though rural Montgomery County has no zoning ordinance15.
  2. Contact the Supervisor of Assessments at (217) 532-9595 and file the Structural Improvement notification before construction101.
  3. Ask the assessment office to confirm the applicable Illinois baseline-code path and any inspection or occupancy requirements, because county adoption, inspection and certificate-of-occupancy details remain unconfirmed1310.
  4. Obtain septic plan approval before construction and call the Health Department two working days before installation46.
  5. Obtain the required state or approved local permit before constructing, modifying or sealing a private well11.
  6. Complete the rural-address review through assessment, highway, health and 911 Addressing if the project needs a new address14.
  7. Get an IDOT permit before work in a state-maintained road right-of-way26.

What should you check before buying land in Montgomery County?

Verify the parcel's municipal status first because rural land has no county zoning ordinance, while a city or village may impose its own zoning requirements15. Test septic feasibility early: only about 4.9% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, and county approval is required before installation223. Check whether the driveway meets a state-maintained road, because work in that right-of-way requires an IDOT permit26. Ask the assessment office about floodplain routing for the proposed site; the rural-address workflow sends the parcel through highway review for floodplain issues14. Property taxes average about 1.7% effectively, with a median annual bill near $1,758, while reported farmland value is about $8,961 per acre272829. Most county land is gentle, with about 95.3% at a slope of 15% or less, but a parcel survey and soil evaluation still matter30.

Watch-outs

  • Do not mistake the Structural Improvement Permit for full building approval; Montgomery County describes it as an assessment notification, and other city, township, subdivision and state rules still apply112.
  • A rural Montgomery County parcel has no county zoning ordinance, but land inside a city or village can be subject to municipal zoning15.
  • Only about 4.9% of Montgomery County soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so obtain site-specific septic approval before committing to a house location223.
  • Long-term RV residence on an ordinary private parcel remains unconfirmed; ask the County Coordinator and Health Department before treating the absence of rural zoning as permission56.

Sources

  1. Supervisor of Assessments – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  2. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  3. Private Sewage Disposal, quoted and re-checked
  4. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  5. Montgomery County Coordinator (montgomerycountyil.gov)
  6. Montgomery County Health Department (montgomerycountyil.gov)
  7. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  8. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  9. (2026 county census)
  10. Montgomery County Supervisor of Assessments (montgomerycountyil.gov)
  11. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Montgomery County Structural Improvement Permit Assessment Office Worksheet, quoted and re-checked
  13. Illinois Codes (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. Montgomery County 911 Addressing (montgomerycountyil.gov)
  15. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  16. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  17. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  18. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  19. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  20. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  21. County Coordinator – Montgomery County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  23. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.130 Human Waste Disposal (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Manufactured & Modular Homes/Mobile Structures (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Youth Camps and Campgrounds (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  27. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  30. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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.

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County locator

Montgomery County in Illinois

61
County map
Montgomery County highlighted among the Illinois counties · colored by Index score

How Montgomery County scores

Seclusion42100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency57100% ev.
Admin Boringness6168% ev.
Durability57100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost57100% ev.

Evidence strength: 95%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$129kTypical home
1.7%Property tax
$8,961Land / acre
41"Annual rain
1.1% of yrsSevere drought
10.7 / yr (+9.6)Mid-century 100°F days
15.5 daysMid-century dry spell
1.88" (+5.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.84×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,537Home insurance / yr
3.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.98%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
25,310People within 30 min
3,928,672People within 2 hr
26,195Radius comparison (15 mi)
39.3People / sq mi
0%Federal land
95.3%Land at 15% slope or less
4.9%Septic soil without severe limits
21,545 acWorkable land screen
15.1%Wooded land
41.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
53.9°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Montgomery County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Montgomery County rules

  • Building permitLimited

    Building construction and improvements in Montgomery County, particularly county-administered notification requirements.

    • The county does not issue a conventional building permit.
    • A Structural Improvement Permit/notification is required for building construction or improvements for assessment purposes.
    • All city, township, subdivision, and state ordinances must also be followed.
    • Failure to file before construction may result in a fine of up to $500 per day, with each day following completion constituting a separate offense.

    maximum failure-to-file fine: <= 500 USD per day (Each day following completion is a separate offense.)

    “The county does not issue “building permits.” The county has Structural Improvement Permits . This is to notify the county that construction is taking place. This is for assessment purposes only.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    County zoning in rural and unincorporated areas of Montgomery County.

    • Municipal zoning requirements may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    • Septic, subdivision, floodplain, and other state or local rules may still apply.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate of rural unincorporated areas and incorporated municipalities in Montgomery County; local zoning is administered by the relevant municipality where applicable.

    • There is no county zoning ordinance in rural areas.
    • Municipal zoning requirements must be obtained from the applicable village or city clerk.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeNone

    County zoning minimum dwelling size in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • No county zoning ordinance applies in the rural areas; other building, health, septic, subdivision, or state rules may apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Minimum lot sizeNone

    County zoning minimum lot size in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • No county zoning ordinance applies in the rural areas; subdivision, septic, health, and state rules may apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • SetbacksNone

    County zoning setbacks in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • No county zoning ordinance applies in the rural areas; other applicable state, health, septic, subdivision, or access rules may apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Lot coverageNone

    County zoning lot-coverage limits in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • No county zoning ordinance applies in the rural areas; other applicable regulations may apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Building heightNone

    County zoning building-height limits in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • No county zoning ordinance applies in the rural areas; other applicable state, safety, or municipal rules may apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Tiny homesUnrestricted

    County land-use zoning restrictions on tiny-home occupancy in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • This conclusion concerns county zoning only; building, health, septic, subdivision, and state requirements may still apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Manufactured homesUnrestricted

    County land-use zoning restrictions on manufactured-home occupancy in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • This conclusion concerns county zoning only; building, health, septic, subdivision, and state requirements may still apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Accessory dwellingsUnrestricted

    County land-use zoning restrictions on accessory dwellings in rural and unincorporated areas.

    • This conclusion concerns county zoning only; building, health, septic, subdivision, and state requirements may still apply.
    • Municipal rules may apply inside incorporated municipalities.
    “There is NO Zoning Ordinance in the Rural areas of the County. For Zoning requirements in a Municipality, please contact the Village or City Clerk.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal in Montgomery County.

    • IDPH regulates private sewage disposal statewide.
    • Local health agencies review plans under local ordinance or as agents of IDPH.
    • Montgomery County Health Department administers the county permit and inspection process evidenced by its official application.
    “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).”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Installation of private sewage disposal systems in Montgomery County.

    • Call the Health Department two working days before beginning installation.
    • Final inspection and Health Department approval are required before covering any portion of the system.

    advance notice: 2 working days

    “It is understood that the applicant assumes resposibility in obtaining the inspection and final approval of the Montgomery County Health Department on all portions of this sewage disposal installation prior to covering any portion of the system.”
  • Permit processPartial

    County structural-improvement notification and sewage-disposal permit processes.

    • Structural construction notifications are submitted to the Supervisor of Assessments.
    • Sewage permit applications are submitted through the Montgomery County Health Department.
    • Sewage inspection must occur before covering the system.
    • All other city, township, subdivision, and state ordinances must be followed.
    “Return completed worksheet to: Supervisor of Assessments This acknowledgement satisfies the Montgomery County Notification Process. All other city, township, subdivision and state ordinances must be followed!”

Illinois rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building-code requirements statewide in Illinois, including residential and commercial construction subject to the Capital Development Board Act baseline requirements.

    • Effective 2025-01-01, Illinois requires statewide baseline building-code requirements.
    • Local governments may adopt building codes, but they are not required to adopt codes; jurisdictions that do not adopt a code are treated as non-building-code jurisdictions and must follow the applicable state-law baseline requirements.
    • For jurisdictions with adopted codes, local codes must regulate structural design at least as stringently as the applicable IRC, IBC, or IEBC baseline.
    • Commercial buildings in non-building-code jurisdictions and state-funded buildings are subject to the state-listed codes and qualified-inspection requirements.
    • Residential requirements differ depending on whether the jurisdiction has adopted a compliant building code and whether the home purchaser and builder agree to an alternative code.

    statewide baseline effective date: 2025-01-01 · local code structural minimum for residential buildings: IRC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for commercial new buildings: IBC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for existing commercial buildings: IEBC minimum structural requirements

    “The State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide building codes effective 1/1/2025. [...] Commercial buildings in jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code AND state funded buildings. [...] Starting 1/1/25 local codes must regulate the structural design in a manner that is at least as stringent as the IBC© for new buildings or IEBC© for existing buildings. [...] Residential buildings in jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code where agreed to by the home purchaser and home builder. [...] Residential buildings in jurisdictions that have adopted a building code. [...] Starting 1/1/25 local codes must regulate the structural design in a manner that is at least as stringent as the IRC©.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted — Statewide baseline building-code requirements for residential construction in Illinois, including jurisdictions with and without locally adopted building codes.
      “Please be advised that the State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide baseline building codes effective 1/1/2025. Locally adopted building codes must comply with the requirements of the Act.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Privately funded construction statewide in Illinois, as to inspections performed by the State rather than by a local authority having jurisdiction.

    • The Illinois Capital Development Board does not perform building-code inspections for privately funded construction.
    • If inspections are required, they are addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
    • A local municipality or county may be a non-building-code jurisdiction, in which case applicable state baseline requirements and inspection-certification provisions may apply.
    “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required — Building-code-compliance inspections performed by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
      “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy permits or certificates for privately funded construction in Illinois.

    • The State does not issue occupancy permits for privately funded construction.
    • If an occupancy permit is required, it is addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
    “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required — Issuance of occupancy permits or certificates by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
      “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a new private sewage disposal system statewide, including systems where a septic tank is replaced, a major component is added or removed, or the absorption field changes by at least 25 percent.

    • Plan approval must be obtained from IDPH or the applicable local authority before construction begins.
    • Persons constructing, installing, repairing, or modifying the system must notify the Department or local authority at least 48 hours before work begins.
    • The rule requires submission of plans, site and system information, bedroom count or design volume, soil or percolation information, owner information, and applicant signature.

    notice before commencement: >= 48 hours · absorption-field change threshold: >= 25 percent (The rule treats increasing the field by 25% or more, or removing and replacing 25% or more, as a new system.)

    “Plan approval shall be obtained from the Department or local authority prior to beginning any construction of a new private sewage disposal system.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Off-grid disposal of human wastes through privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets, and compost toilets statewide in Illinois.

    • Other domestic wastes must be disposed of in a conventional private sewage disposal system.
    • Compost toilets may also be used for other organic domestic wastes.
    • Privies have construction, capacity, venting, maintenance, and abandonment requirements.
    • A privy pit must have a minimum capacity of 50 cubic feet per seat.
    • A privy must be pumped when filled to within 18 inches of the bottom of the riser.
    • Vault privies are required where groundwater or limestone formations are within 4 feet of the bottom of the pit.
    • Recirculating toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41 and residuals must go to an approved public or private sewage disposal system.
    • Incinerator and compost toilets have separate maintenance and disposal requirements; compost toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41.

    privy pit minimum capacity: >= 50 cubic feet per seat · privy pumping trigger: <= 18 inches from bottom of riser (Pump when filled to within this distance.) · vault-privy groundwater or limestone separation: < 4 feet from bottom of pit (Watertight, non-metal vaults are required where the condition applies.)

    “Privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets and compost toilets are approved for private sewage disposal of human wastes.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction of a new water well, modification of an existing water well, or sealing of an abandoned water well in Illinois.

    • A permit must be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health or an approved local health department before work begins.
    • The application must use Department or approved local health department forms and include a plan and drawing of the proposed construction.
    • The plan must include the lot size, slope, property lines, distances to septic tanks, abandoned wells, property lines, seepage fields, sewers, and other contamination sources; driller license number and name; estimated daily pumping capacity if greater than 100,000 gallons per day; well location; owner name and address; well type; estimated depth; well-use type; and proposed aquifer.
    • The permit is void if construction has not commenced within one year after issuance.
    • The permit fee for constructing, deepening, modifying, or sealing a water well may not exceed $100.
    • The Department will deny a permit request when available information indicates groundwater contamination exceeds Class I groundwater standards, subject to the treatment approval provision in subsection (f)(2).
    • The permittee must notify the Department, approved local health department, or approved unit of local government by telephone or in writing at least two days before work begins.

    maximum water well permit fee: <= 100 USD · permit commencement deadline: 1 year after issuance (Permit is void if construction has not commenced within that period.) · pre-work notification: >= 2 days (Notification may be by telephone or in writing.)

    “A permit to construct a new water well, modify an existing water well or seal an abandoned water well shall be obtained from the Department or approved local health department prior to start of work.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Work within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state-maintained roadway, including access-driveway requests to State highways.

    • A permit must be obtained before work begins.
    • Requirements may vary by IDOT district; the applicant must contact the district office for specific requirements.
    • IDOT's access-driveway handbook guides what is allowable for highway access requests.
    “Per 605 ILCS 5/4 209, IDOT requires a permit when working within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state maintained roadway. A permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work and a copy of the approved permit must be at the worksite at all times.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction activities in regulated Illinois floodways and, where a floodway has not been delineated, generally work anywhere in the floodplain.

    • For downstate streams, IDNR Division permitting applies to floodways of streams draining at least one square mile in urban areas or ten square miles in rural areas.
    • In northeastern Illinois, Part 3708 applies to identified floodways in Cook County excluding Chicago, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
    • Some minor activities are automatically authorized by statewide or regional permits if their terms and conditions are met.
    • For State-owned property, Part 3710 requires a permit for all development activity in FEMA-mapped floodplains.

    urban stream drainage area threshold: >= 1 square mile (regulated floodways under Part 3700) · rural stream drainage area threshold: >= 10 square miles (regulated floodways under Part 3700)

    “All construction activities in the floodways of streams (the channel and the adjacent portion of the floodplain that is needed to safely convey and store flood waters) in urban areas where the stream drainage area is one square mile or more or in rural areas where the stream drainage area is ten square miles or more must be permitted by the Division prior to construction.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals in Illinois where at least one room is rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and accommodations are reserved in advance, when the hosting platform meets the statutory definition of a re-renter.

    • Beginning July 1, 2025, qualifying hosting platforms are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.
    • The source establishes tax and registration obligations, not statewide land-use permission; local zoning and licensing may separately apply.

    rental period: < 30 consecutive days

    “Beginning July 1, 2025, hosting platforms for short-term rentals that meet the definition of “re-renter” are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Applications and written inquiries for Illinois Department of Natural Resources public-water, dam, and floodway work requiring authorization.

    • The Department reviews applications and written inquiries free of charge to determine whether authorization is required when sufficient information is provided.
    • A permit application fee may apply under the Department's permit fee schedule.
    “January 15, 2014, a new Permit Application Fee went into effect. All applications and written inquiries received will be reviewed free of charge to determine whether the Public Water, dam and/or floodway work proposed requires authorization by the Department, so long as sufficient information is provided for the Department to make that determination.”
  • Campground & park staysAllowed (with conditions)

    Overnight camping in Illinois campgrounds subject to the Campground Licensing and Recreational Area Act.

    • IDPH annually inspects and licenses campgrounds in Illinois.
    • The state campground definition includes camping and temporary parking of recreational vehicles.
    • Campgrounds within home rule units of government are exempt from the state campground licensing requirement.
    • Recreational areas without overnight camping, such as highway rest stops and picnicking areas, are subject to the rules but are not licensed or routinely inspected.

    minimum persons for statutory campground threshold: >= 10 persons · minimum camping duration for statutory campground threshold: >= 6 camping days per calendar year

    ““Camping Day” means any 24 hour period or portion thereof during which the participants remain overnight at the site.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Illinois counties adopting and enforcing building codes and issuing building permits for residential construction in unincorporated areas, subject to the statewide baseline framework.

    • A municipality or county is not required to adopt a building code.
    • A county that does not adopt a building code is treated as a non-building-code jurisdiction, and section 10.09-1 of the Capital Development Board Act applies.
    • A county that adopts a building code must comply with section 10.18 of the Capital Development Board Act.
    • Locally adopted codes must regulate residential structural design at least as stringently as the baseline International Residential Code.
    • For privately funded projects, the local code official is the authority having jurisdiction; the State does not issue private-project building permits, perform plan reviews, or perform inspections.
    “A municipality or county is not required to adopt building codes. If they do NOT adopt a building code then they are considered a non-building code jurisdiction and section 10.09-1 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105) applies. If they do adopt a building code(s) then it must comply with section 10.18 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105).”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or permanent RV occupancy on private land in unincorporated Montgomery County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in unincorporated Montgomery County.
  • Mandatory utility hookup — Water and sewer connection requirements.
  • Agricultural exemption — Agricultural exemptions from construction, zoning, or land-use requirements.

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.

Living off-grid in Montgomery County, Illinois

Is Montgomery County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Montgomery County scores 61/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property. Watch-outs: about 25,310 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Montgomery County, Illinois?

Montgomery County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones), and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Montgomery County Health Department (Environmental Health), as agent under IDPH. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Montgomery County, Illinois?

Land in Montgomery County runs about $8,961 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Montgomery County?

Montgomery County gets about 41" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.1% of years.

How remote is Montgomery County?

A representative private-land location has about 25,310 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,928,672 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Montgomery compares in Illinois

Compare side-by-side →See all 102 Illinois counties ranked →