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

Rules another office applies inside Whitley Township

Whitley 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 permitRequired

  New homes, additions, decks, porches and detached buildings on unincorporated land inside Whitley township

  • Construction may proceed only after the permit is issued.
  • The county does not require a permit for roof replacements, siding, windows, or internal remodels that do not include major structural changes.
  • If construction starts without a permit, the fees double (per the county residential fee sheet).
  • The county page says the Village of Gays planning and zoning was taken over by the village as of June 10, 2026; that statement does not apply to Whitley township.

  “permits for most construction projects are required before that construction starts.”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Residential and building construction codes applied to construction in Moultrie County, including unincorporated land inside Whitley township

  • The county page names the 2018 International Residential Code (IRC) and the 2024 International Building Code (IBC).
  • The county says it expects contractors doing business in Moultrie County to follow those codes.
  • The county page does not say whether a Whitley township or village building code also applies.

  “the county adopted the 2018 irc and the 2024 ibc, and expects that contractors doing business in moultrie county will follow those codes.”

• Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

  Certain agricultural uses on unincorporated land inside Whitley township, exempt from county zoning regulations except setbacks

  • Applies only to certain agricultural uses; the county page does not list which uses qualify.
  • Setbacks still apply even when the exemption applies.
  • The county recommends verifying the exemption with the planning department and confirming with legal counsel.
  • The county page describes the exemption as following state law; the statute itself was not opened.

  “agriculture exemption: certain agricultural uses are exempt from meeting local zoning regulations, except for setbacks, according to state law.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Construction on a parcel inside Whitley township that is in a designated floodplain

  • Applies only if the parcel is in a designated floodplain; the form asks the applicant to record flood plain yes or no.
  • Additional forms may need to be completed and approved by FEMA and/or the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
  • Whether any Whitley township parcel is in a mapped floodplain was not checked.

  “if this parcel is in a designated floodplain additional forms may need to be completed and approved by the federal emergency management agency and/or the department of natural resources.”

• Permit feesPublished

  County residential building permit and inspection fees for construction on unincorporated land inside Whitley township

  • The fee sheet is titled 'updated January 1, 2024'; that is a revision date and is not stated as an effective date.
  • The zoning page links to a separate 'building permit fees' page that was not opened; a newer fee schedule may exist and was not checked.
  • All payments are final, per the fee sheet.
  • If construction starts without a permit, the above fees double.

  base permit fee - residential: 50 USD · each residential inspection permit (footing, foundation, structure, electrical, plumbing, slab/basement): 50 USD · zoning variance hearing: 300 USD · zoning special use hearing: 300 USD

  “base permit fee - residential $50.00 footing inspection permit - before pouring of concrete foundation”

• Permit processPublished

  Residential building permit application and issuance on unincorporated land inside Whitley township

  • No permit is issued until the application is complete and all required information is submitted.
  • Permits expire six months from issue, per the form's citation to county ordinance pg. 53 section 24.5.
  • Inspections must be completed in order of listing with 48 hours' notice, per the fee sheet.
  • Floodplain parcels may need additional forms (see floodplain claim).

  “no permit will be issued until this application has been completed and all required information has been submitted.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Whitley township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home inside Whitley township
• Local zoning — Whether Whitley township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance for land inside its limits
• Zoning districts — Zoning district map and district list for land inside Whitley township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area for homes inside Whitley 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.