Bolthole Index

Perry County, Illinois

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

61Index Score / 100
#51 of 102 in Illinois

Perry County, Illinois requires a building permit before most structures are erected, enlarged, altered or moved, including the placement or relocation of a mobile home; a structure under 100 square feet does not need the county permit.1 Obtain zoning compliance first, then file the building-permit application through the Supervisor of Assessments.2 A new home off city sewer also needs a private sewage disposal permit from the Perry County Health Department.3

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most structures; not required under 100 square feet1
Zoning
County zoning applies in unincorporated Perry County4
Septic
County Health Department permit required for a home off city sewer3
RV living
Long-term occupancy on an individual parcel was not confirmed; ask County Zoning4
Tiny homes
No separate tiny-home rule was confirmed; zoning district and permit rules still apply41
Owner-builder
The owner may apply, but no exemption from permit requirements was confirmed15
Private well
A permit is required before construction, modification or sealing6

Who to call

Building permits

Perry County Supervisor of Assessments

Perry County building-permit applications

(618) 357-2209

3764 State Route 13-127, Pickneyville, Illinois 62274

Health department

Perry County Health Department

Private sewage disposal permits and environmental health questions

618-357-5371

907 S MAIN ST - PINCKNEYVILLE IL 62274

Online permits →

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 Perry County, Illinois?

Yes. Perry County requires a building permit before a covered structure is erected, enlarged, extended, altered or relocated, and before a mobile home is located or relocated.1 The county’s published exception is for a structure under 100 square feet.1 Do not read that size exception as a zoning exemption: development and structures in unincorporated Perry County still must conform to the zoning code.4

Perry County publishes a $5 farm-structure fee and a residential fee of $5 plus $0.02 per square foot; commercial and industrial rates are higher.7 The county ordinance covers permit administration and dangerous-building provisions, but the reviewed county material does not establish adoption of a complete technical building code.8 Illinois also has statewide baseline building-code requirements, so permit approval and structural-code compliance are related but separate questions.9

Who issues building permits in Perry County, Illinois?

The Perry County Supervisor of Assessments office accepts county building-permit applications, and an owner or authorized agent may apply.2 The office can be reached at (618) 357-2209 at the Perry County Government Building.10 The application calls for the property’s legal description, the proposed building’s size and type, and its estimated cost.1

Zoning approval comes first. Perry County says applicants must obtain a zoning compliance form or Certificate of Zoning Compliance before filing the building-permit application.2 Jurisdiction depends on location: unincorporated sites use county zoning, while Pinckneyville, Du Quoin, Willisville and Tamaroa have separate local zoning contacts.11 For a rural parcel, confirm the parcel is outside municipal limits and ask the county zoning office to identify its district before paying for final plans. County permit requirements apply countywide as described by the ordinance, while zoning administration varies by incorporated or unincorporated location.111

Does Perry County, Illinois have zoning?

Yes. Unincorporated Perry County has county zoning, and development, occupancy, lot creation and structures must comply with the county zoning code.4 The code includes Agricultural, two Residential districts, Commercial, Industrial, Flood Plain Overlay and Planned Unit Development districts; lot size, allowed uses, special uses, height and setbacks depend on the district.12 Incorporated municipalities may administer their own zoning, so the county rule should not be assumed to control a parcel inside municipal limits.11

For the principal county districts, published front setbacks range from 35 to 50 feet, side setbacks from 10 to 25 feet, and rear setbacks from 10 to 25 feet.13 Residential districts list a 25-foot maximum structure height, with a possible increase to 35 feet when the stated reciprocal setback conditions are met.14 Because these dimensions vary by district, obtain the parcel’s zoning designation and zoning-compliance approval before choosing a house footprint or ordering a manufactured home.2

How do septic permits work in Perry County, Illinois?

Anyone building a Perry County home that will not connect to city sewer must obtain a private sewage disposal permit from the Perry County Health Department.3 Contact the department at 618-357-5371 before finalizing the site plan.15 Illinois requires plan approval before construction of a new system, including certain major replacements or absorption-field changes, and requires notice to the department or local authority at least 48 hours before work begins.16

Treat soil suitability as an early feasibility question, not a closing-day detail. Only about 3.2% of Perry County soils are mapped without severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so a site evaluation may point toward a more involved system.17 The county may refuse a private sewage permit where public or community sewer is available; for a single-family residence, the county’s availability test includes sewer adjoining or abutting the property or lying within 300 feet.18 A private well also needs a permit before construction, modification or sealing.6

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Perry County, Illinois?

Perry County’s reviewed rules did not confirm a general right to live long-term in an RV on an individual parcel, and the published material on travel-trailer parks does not answer that separate occupancy question. Ask County Zoning for a parcel-specific answer before buying land or connecting utilities. Unincorporated Perry County regulates development and occupancy through zoning districts, so the parcel’s district and proposed use matter.4

Perry County’s reviewed material also did not establish a separate tiny-home occupancy rule. A small dwelling should therefore be treated as a dwelling project subject to the applicable zoning district, setbacks and permit process, rather than assuming “tiny” creates an exemption.1213 The building-permit exception applies only to a structure under 100 square feet and does not itself establish permission to occupy that structure as a home.1 For either an RV or tiny home, get written confirmation of allowed occupancy, utility treatment and required approvals before purchase.

Building a home in Perry County, Illinois: steps in order

  1. Confirm whether the parcel is unincorporated or inside a municipality, because zoning contacts differ by location.11
  2. Ask the applicable zoning administrator for the parcel’s district, allowed residential use, lot requirements and setbacks; unincorporated land is governed by the county zoning code.413
  3. Obtain the zoning compliance form or Certificate of Zoning Compliance before submitting the county building-permit application.2
  4. Apply through the Supervisor of Assessments with the legal description, building size and type, and estimated cost.1
  5. If the home will not use city sewer, arrange the Health Department’s private sewage review before construction.3
  6. Obtain a private-well permit before well construction, modification or sealing.6
  7. If access enters a state-maintained road, contact the appropriate IDOT district because state-highway right-of-way work requires an IDOT permit before work begins.19

What should you check before buying land in Perry County?

Start with jurisdiction and zoning: verify municipal boundaries, the zoning district, allowed residential use, minimum lot requirements and the exact buildable envelope.111213 Then make septic feasibility a contract contingency, because only about 3.2% of county soils are mapped without severe limitations for conventional drain fields.17 Also determine whether public or community sewer is close enough for the county to treat it as available.18

Check legal and physical road access before assuming a driveway location. Access work in a state-maintained right-of-way requires an IDOT permit, and IDOT directs applicants to the appropriate district for project-specific requirements.19 Check floodplain constraints before placing a house, septic system or driveway, because regulated Illinois floodway construction can require state authorization.20 Finally, budget for property taxes: Perry County’s effective rate is about 1.7%, and the median annual property-tax bill is about $1,744.2122

Watch-outs

  • A building permit is not the first approval: Perry County requires zoning compliance before it will accept the permit application.2
  • A parcel near sewer may not qualify for private septic approval; the county can refuse a private-system permit where public or community sewer is available.18
  • Long-term RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy and a county owner-builder exemption could not be confirmed; ask County Zoning and the Supervisor of Assessments before relying on any of them.5

Sources

  1. Building Permits - Perry County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  2. Building Permits - Perry County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  3. Perry County Health Department - Sewage (2026 county census)
  4. Chapter 40 Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  5. (2026 county census)
  6. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Building Permits - Perry County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  8. Buildings, Chapter 6, quoted and re-checked
  9. Illinois Codes (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Perry County Supervisor of Assessments (ptab.illinois.gov)
  11. Building Permits - Perry County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  12. Chapter 40 Zoning Code, quoted and re-checked
  13. Chapter 40 Zoning Code, Section 40-4-31, quoted and re-checked
  14. Chapter 40 Zoning Code, Section 40-4-31, quoted and re-checked
  15. Perry County Health Department (perryhealth.net)
  16. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  18. Health Codes, Chapter 16, quoted and re-checked
  19. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Permit Program (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: 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

Perry County in Illinois

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

How Perry County scores

Seclusion52100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency67100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability50100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost65100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$111kTypical home
1.7%Property tax
$6,023Land / acre
45"Annual rain
2.4% of yrsSevere drought
13 / yr (+11.7)Mid-century 100°F days
15.8 daysMid-century dry spell
2.14" (+6.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.89×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,575Home insurance / yr
3.4% / yrInsurance growth
0.88%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
18,264People within 30 min
2,982,735People within 2 hr
30,710Radius comparison (15 mi)
46.4People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
89.3%Land at 15% slope or less
3.2%Septic soil without severe limits
8,733 acWorkable land screen
27.1%Wooded land
51.8 tonsBiomass / forest ac
56°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Perry County

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

Perry County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Structures and mobile homes in Perry County subject to the County building-permit ordinance.

    • A permit is required before erection, enlargement, extension, alteration, relocation, or location/relocation of a mobile home.
    • Structures or additions of 100 square feet or less have no building-permit fee under Section 6-1-2(C), and the public webpage states a permit is not necessary if the structure is less than 100 square feet.
    • Applications are made by the property owner or authorized agent and require a legal description, size, type, and estimated cost.
    • Violation is a petty offense.

    farm-property fee: 5 USD · residential fee: 5 plus 0.02 per square foot USD · commercial fee: 5 plus 0.03 per square foot USD · industrial fee: 5 plus 0.06 per square foot USD

    “A Building Permit must be obtained when any structure is erected, enlarged, extended, altered, or relocated, or mobile home located or relocated within Perry County. It is not necessary to obtain a Building Permit if the structure is less than 100 square feet.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    County building-permit, fee, administration, dangerous-building, and inspection provisions.

    • The source establishes county building-permit regulation and dangerous-building standards; it does not establish adoption of a complete technical building code.
    “the County Board hereby adopts the following Article governing the construction, alteration, and relocation of all buildings or structures, and the location or relocation of mobile homes.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning regulation in unincorporated Perry County.

    • Development, occupancy, lot creation, and structures must conform to the County Zoning Code.
    • The code contains agricultural, residential, commercial, industrial, floodplain-overlay, and planned-unit-development districts.
    “all the territory of Perry County other than territory within the corporate limits of municipalities which have adopted local zoning ordinances is hereby divided into the following zoning districts:”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate of zoning administration across Perry County; county zoning applies in unincorporated locations while incorporated municipalities identify separate zoning contacts.

    • The county building-permit page lists separate zoning contacts for Pinckneyville, Du Quoin, Willisville, Tamaroa, and unincorporated locations.
    • This is an aggregate conclusion and does not attribute municipal ordinances to the County.
    “Please contact the appropriate Zoning Administrator for your building location: City of Pinckneyville – Economic Development Coordinator: Carrie Gilliam 618-357-8775 City of Du Quoin – City Hall/Clerks Office: 618-542-3841 Unincorporated locations in Perry County – Zoning Administrator: Becky Tracy 618-357-3267 Village of Willisville – Village Hall Office: 618-497-2287 Village of Tamaroa – Village Hall Office: 618-496-3209”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and district-specific regulations.

    • The code identifies A Agricultural, R-1 and R-2 Residential, C Commercial, I Industrial, O-FP Flood Plain Overlay, and PUD districts.
    • District-specific lot size, setbacks, height, permitted uses, and special uses apply.
    “Agricultural A 40 acres Rural Single Family Residential R-1 5 acres Community Residential R-2 5 acres Commercial C 2 acres Industrial I 5 acres Flood Plain Overlay O-FP None Planned Unit Development PUD 20 acres”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Minimum front, side, and rear setbacks by County zoning district.

    • A/R-1/R-2/C/I district setbacks are respectively front 50/35/35/35/50 feet, side 25/10/10/10/25 feet, and rear 25/25/25/10/25 feet.
    • Height and setback provisions cross-reference the County Subdivision Code.

    front setback by district: A 50; R-1 35; R-2 35; C 35; I 50 feet · side setback by district: A 25; R-1 10; R-2 10; C 10; I 25 feet · rear setback by district: A 25; R-1 25; R-2 25; C 10; I 25 feet

    “(e) Minimum Setbacks^: (1) From front lot line: 50 ft 35 ft 35 ft 35 ft 50 ft (2) From side lot line: 25 ft 10 ft 10 ft 10 ft 25 ft (3) From rear lot line: 25 ft 25 ft 25 ft 10 ft 25 ft”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Maximum structure height by County zoning district.

    • A and I districts list no maximum in the table.
    • R-1 and R-2 list 25 feet, with possible increase to 35 feet with reciprocal front and rear setbacks of 25 feet each.
    • C lists 35 feet, with possible increase upon documented approval of the local fire-protection authority.

    maximum height by district: A none; R-1 25; R-2 25; C 35; I none feet (R-1/R-2 may increase to 35 feet with reciprocal setbacks; C may increase with documented local fire-authority approval)

    “Maximum Structure Height: None 25 ft**** 25 ft**** 35 ft***** None”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Private sewage disposal versus public or community sewer service in Perry County.

    • The Health Department may refuse a private sewage permit where public or community sewage is available.
    • A sewer is deemed available when it adjoins or abuts the premises or is within a reasonable distance: not greater than 300 feet for a single-family residence or 1,000 feet for a commercial establishment or multifamily dwelling.
    • The reviewed sources do not establish a universal County water-connection requirement.

    single-family sewer distance: <= 300 feet · commercial or multifamily sewer distance: <= 1000 feet

    “The Board of Health or its Authorized Representative may refuse to grant a permit for the construction of a private sewage disposal system where public or community sewage systems are available.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County building-permit fees.

    • Farm property: $5.
    • Residential: $5 plus $0.02 per square foot.
    • Commercial: $5 plus $0.03 per square foot.
    • Industrial: $5 plus $0.06 per square foot.
    • Industrial fees may be waived by the Board; government noncommercial structures and structures or additions of 100 square feet or less have no fee.
    • Solar and tower fee schedules are separately stated in Chapter 6.
    “Farm Structure is a $5.00 fee Residential Property is a $5.00 fee plus $0.02 per square foot Commercial Property is a $5.00 fee plus $0.03 per square foot Industrial Property is a $5.00 fee plus $0.06 per square foot.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County building-permit application process.

    • Obtain a zoning compliance form or Certificate of Zoning Compliance before filing the building permit.
    • Contact the zoning administrator appropriate to the building location.
    • Apply through the Supervisor of Assessments; owner or authorized agent may apply.
    • Provide legal description, building size and type, and estimated cost.
    “You must obtain a Certificate of Zoning Compliance prior to applying for your Building Permit.”

Illinois rules that apply here

  • 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.”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Occupancy of manufactured homes as dwellings, including occupancy in manufactured home communities regulated by IDPH.

    • Manufactured home communities with 5 or more sites must be licensed by IDPH, except communities located in home rule units.
    • IDPH annually inspects licensed communities for renewal, including water, sewage disposal, electrical systems, lighting, roads, spacing of homes, and garbage disposal.
    • Manufactured homes moved since January 1, 1980 must be secured using equipment meeting IDPH standards.
    • Effective December 31, 2001, manufactured homes must be installed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or the homeowner and installed according to manufacturer instructions; if unavailable, the IDPH Manufactured Home Installation Code applies.
    • Local zoning, building, floodplain, and utility requirements may also apply.

    manufactured home community license threshold: >= 5 sites (Communities located in home rule units are excepted from this IDPH licensing statement.) · moved-home tiedown requirement effective date: >= 1980-01-01 · installation requirement effective date: >= 2001-12-31

    “designed and situated so as to permit its occupancy as a dwelling place for one or more persons”
  • Who permits septicMixed

    Installation and plan approval for private sewage disposal systems statewide in Illinois.

    • IDPH regulates private sewage disposal systems within the described scope.
    • About 90 local health agencies also review construction plans under local ordinances or as agents of IDPH.

    surface discharge threshold: <= 1500 gallons per day (Systems with no surface discharge are also regulated.)

    “There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans”
  • 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.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    New and replacement surface-discharging private sewage disposal systems covered by Illinois EPA general NPDES Permit ILG62.

    • Coverage under the general permit is limited to eligible dischargers.
    • Systems not eligible for general-permit coverage may require an individual NPDES permit.
    • Periodic inspection, monitoring, and reporting are required under the permit.
    “The permit sets discharge limits and requires periodic inspection, monitoring and reporting.”
  • 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.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • 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.”
  • 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 exemption from County building-permit or inspection requirements.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage limits in unincorporated Perry County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or permanent occupancy of recreational vehicles on private land.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land outside a regulated travel-trailer park.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes in unincorporated Perry County.
2 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Agricultural exemption

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 Perry County, Illinois

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

Perry County scores 61/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: strong self-sufficiency basics: 45″/yr rainfall with little drought and manageable long-term carry cost.

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

Perry County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Perry County Health Department, Environmental Health (Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Code / 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 Perry County, Illinois?

Land in Perry County runs about $6,023 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Perry County?

Perry County gets about 45" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.4% of years.

How remote is Perry County?

A representative private-land location has about 18,264 people within a 30-minute drive and 2,982,735 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 Perry County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Perry compares in Illinois

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