Zoning, building permits and septic rules in New Salem Township, Illinois

Rules another office applies inside New Salem Township

New Salem 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

  Construction in unincorporated Pike County land, which includes the unincorporated part of New Salem township, where the Pike County Zoning Administration issues building permits. Not verified that New Salem township itself has no zoning of its own.

  • The source states the fee for beginning construction without a building permit, which implies a permit is required before construction.
  • The source does not state a township-specific rule. Applicability inside New Salem township depends on whether the township administers its own zoning, which was not verified.
  • Land inside any incorporated municipality, including the village of New Salem if it lies within the township, is not covered by this county rule (boundary not verified).

  penalty for beginning construction without a building permit: 2 multiple of regular fee (penalty applies if construction begins without a building permit)

  “fee for beginning construction without a building permit is two (2) times the regular fee.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems on Pike County land, administered by the Pike County Health Department; the page does not name townships, so inclusion of New Salem township is inferred from the county-wide program, not separately quoted.

  • The health department issues permits and inspects installations of private sewage disposal systems.
  • The health department also licenses eligible private sewage installation contractors and pumpers.
  • Health department address: 606 W. Adams Street, Pittsfield, IL 62363; phone (217) 285-4407.

  “issue permits and inspect the installation of private sewage disposal systems”

• Septic permitRequired

  Private sewage disposal system installations on Pike County land, including land in New Salem township (county-wide program; township not named on the page).

  • A septic permit application is linked on the page (rev 2-6-2025).
  • Installation must follow the health department permit process, which the page does not detail.

  “issue permits and inspect the installation of private sewage disposal systems”

• Septic inspectionRequired

  Installation of private sewage disposal systems on Pike County land, including land in New Salem township (county-wide program; township not named on the page).

  • The health department inspects the installation of private sewage disposal systems.
  • Inspection timing and sign-off steps are not stated on the page.

  “issue permits and inspect the installation of private sewage disposal systems”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Pike County zoning permit fees for buildings and structures in unincorporated Pike County, including the unincorporated part of New Salem township. Applicability inside New Salem township not separately verified.

  • The fee schedule on the page includes a minimum fee of $50.00 and a per-$1,000 rate for valuations up to $500,000.00.
  • Fees for appeals, zoning map amendments, text amendments, conditional uses and other applications are also listed on the same page.
  • Additional newspaper publication costs are payable on top of the listed fees.
  • Fee schedule is as shown on the page retrieved 2026-10-29; no effective date is stated on the page.

  permit fee per $1000 of valuation (valuations up to $500,000.00): 2.5 USD (subject to a minimum fee of $50.00) · minimum permit fee: 50 USD (applies to permit fees for all other excluding the above categories)

  “permit fees for all other excluding the above minimum fee $50.00 up to $500,000.00 $2.50 per $1000”

• Permit processPartial

  Building permit process administered by the Pike County Zoning Administration for unincorporated Pike County land, including the unincorporated part of New Salem township.

  • The page provides a link to a Pike County building permit application and the zoning office contact (Greg Wyatt, 121 E Washington St., Pittsfield, IL 62363, 217-285-4013).
  • The page does not describe steps, review timelines or inspection sequencing; the process is only partially published.

  “below is the link for pike county building permit”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for permits in New Salem township
• Building code adopted — Which building code, if any, governs construction in New Salem township
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction in New Salem township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for new homes in New Salem township
• Local zoning — Whether New Salem township adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance

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.