Bolthole Index

Pulaski County, Illinois

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

66Index Score / 100
#36 of 102 in Illinois

Unincorporated Pulaski County, Illinois generally does not require a county building permit, although the county has not published an express permit exemption1. County zoning also appears absent, but buyers should ask the County Board to confirm parcel-specific limits because no zoning ordinance or official no-zoning statement was located2. Southern Seven Health Department issues septic permits and inspects new systems34.

At a glance

Building permit
Generally not required in unincorporated Pulaski County; confirm the project with the County Board1
Zoning
County zoning appears absent; confirm parcel-specific restrictions with the County Board2
Septic permits
Southern Seven Health Department; permit required before construction35
Septic fee and timing
$150 fee, 6-month validity and 48 hours' notice before construction5
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the County Board before relying on residential occupancy2
Manufactured homes
Installation must follow Illinois installer and installation-code rules6
Private wells
Contact Southern Seven Health Department for a well permit and inspection4
Conventional septic soils
16.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations7

Who to call

Septic permits

Southern Seven Health Department

Private sewage-disposal applications, septic permits, system-design guidance, inspections and private-well permits

(618) 634-2297

37 Rustic Campus Drive, Ullin, IL 62992

Floodplain permits

Pulaski County Supervisor of Assessments Office

County floodplain coordination and property assessments

618-748-9321

500 Illinois Ave, Mound City, IL 62963

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 28, 2026.

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

Unincorporated Pulaski County generally does not require a county building permit for residential construction, but the county has not published an express exemption1. Illinois does not issue building permits for privately funded construction; any permit requirement is handled by the applicable local government8. Illinois now has a statewide building-code baseline, while residential requirements differ according to local code adoption and agreements between the home purchaser and builder9. Ask the County Board to confirm the exact parcel and project before ordering materials, especially near an incorporated city or village. Commercial work needs separate attention because a commercial building in a non-code jurisdiction requires qualified inspection before occupancy if Pulaski County is such a jurisdiction10.

Who handles Pulaski County building permits and inspections?

Pulaski County does not identify a building or code-enforcement office in the county materials supporting the general no-permit finding1. The State of Illinois does not perform building-code inspections or issue occupancy permits for privately funded projects; those requirements, when applicable, belong to the local unit of government1112. Start with the Pulaski County Board for a written answer on a house, cabin, barn or shop, particularly when a parcel is near municipal boundaries. Southern Seven Health Department is the clear contact for private sewage and wells: the department reviews sewage applications, issues septic permits, advises on system design and inspects new systems4. Its administrative office is at 37 Rustic Campus Drive in Ullin, and its published phone number is (618) 634-22974.

Does Pulaski County have zoning?

County zoning appears absent in Pulaski County, but the county has not published an express no-zoning statement or zoning ordinance that settles the question2. Do not treat that gap as permission for a particular setback, lot coverage, building height, accessory dwelling or full-time camping plan. Illinois law allows an applicable county zoning district to establish setbacks and building heights, but it provides no single statewide measurement for Pulaski County parcels1314. Incorporated cities and villages may also impose their own land-use rules. Ask the County Board to identify any county rules affecting the parcel, and ask the relevant municipality when land lies within or near municipal jurisdiction. A written jurisdiction answer is especially valuable before buying for an unconventional dwelling or splitting a tract.

How do septic permits work in Pulaski County?

Southern Seven Health Department requires a permit before a private sewage system is constructed, installed, repaired, altered or extended in Pulaski County5. The homeowner or an Illinois-licensed private-sewage installer may apply and perform the covered work, and the application requires a drawing, signatures and a $150 fee before construction5. The permit is valid for 6 months, and Southern Seven requires 48 hours' notice before construction5. The contractor must obtain final inspection and approval before covering the system15. Only 16.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make sewage feasibility an early contract contingency7. Tell the department about any geothermal well, water softener, swimming pool or hot tub because the application requests additional information for those features5.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Pulaski County?

We could not confirm a Pulaski County rule that allows or prohibits living full time in an RV or tiny home on private land. County zoning appears absent, but the available county information does not settle RV occupancy, tiny-home occupancy, minimum dwelling size or accessory dwellings2. Illinois campground licensing does not answer the private-parcel question because that program governs qualifying campgrounds and recreational areas16. A manufactured home has a clearer installation path: Illinois requires installation by a licensed manufactured-home installer or the homeowner, using the manufacturer's instructions or the state Installation Code when those instructions are unavailable6. Installation compliance still does not establish parcel-level land-use permission6. Ask the County Board for a written answer before buying land for RV, tiny-home or manufactured-home occupancy.

Building a home in Pulaski County: steps in order

  1. Ask the Pulaski County Board whether the parcel has any permit, inspection, occupancy, subdivision or land-use review; county building permits generally are not required and county zoning appears absent, but neither answer is stated expressly on a county page12.
  1. Ask the Supervisor of Assessments Office about floodplain review because that office serves as the county floodplain coordinator17.
  1. Arrange septic evaluation early because only 16.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field7.
  1. Apply through Southern Seven Health Department, pay the $150 septic fee and give 48 hours' notice before construction5.
  1. Contact Southern Seven for a private-well permit and completed-well inspection4.
  1. Obtain an IDOT permit before work in a state-maintained highway right-of-way18.
  1. Call Southern Seven for final septic inspection before covering the system15.

What should you check before buying land in Pulaski County?

Confirm legal access, flood exposure, water supply, sewage feasibility and the parcel's jurisdiction before closing. The Pulaski County Supervisor of Assessments Office is the county floodplain coordinator17. Work in regulated Illinois waterways, floodplains or wetlands may require state and federal authorization through a joint application19. A division creating a parcel smaller than 5 acres generally requires a survey and subdivision plat under the Illinois Plat Act, subject to statutory and local exceptions20. Septic deserves an early contingency because only 16.6% of county soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field7. The terrain is broadly gentle, with 93.9% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but a countywide statistic cannot replace parcel inspection21. Pulaski County's median property-tax bill is about $668 per year, and the effective rate is about 0.8%2223.

Watch-outs

  • Pulaski County's published pages do not expressly confirm the building-permit, inspection or certificate-of-occupancy answer; ask the County Board about the specific project1.
  • County zoning appears absent, but no official no-zoning statement was located; confirm setbacks, lot rules and residential uses before closing2.
  • A septic permit is not merely paperwork: final approval is required before the new system is covered15.

Sources

  1. Pulaski County IL official website (departments) (2026 county census)
  2. Pulaski County IL official website (departments) (2026 county census)
  3. Southern Seven Health Department - Private Sewage Disposal Program (2026 county census)
  4. Southern Seven Health Department (southern7.org)
  5. Procedures for Obtaining a Permit to Install a Private Sewage System, quoted and re-checked
  6. Manufactured & Modular Homes/Mobile Structures, quoted and re-checked
  7. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  8. Illinois Codes FAQ (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. Illinois Codes (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Codes and Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  11. Illinois Codes FAQ (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Illinois Codes FAQ (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. 55 ILCS 5/5-12001 — Authority to regulate and restrict location and use of structures (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  14. 55 ILCS 5/5-12001 — Authority to regulate and restrict location and use of structures (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. Private Sewage Disposal & Water Supply Program - Southern 7 Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  16. Youth Camps and Campgrounds (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Pulaski County Supervisor of Assessments Office (pulaskicountyil.net)
  18. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  19. Permit Application and Instructions (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. 765 ILCS 205/ Plat Act, quoted and re-checked
  21. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  22. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 28, 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

Pulaski County in Illinois

66
County map
Pulaski County highlighted among the Illinois counties · colored by Index score

How Pulaski County scores

Seclusion52100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency63100% ev.
Admin Boringness8090% ev.
Durability45100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost64100% 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 →

$75kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$5,494Land / acre
49.5"Annual rain
4.5% of yrsSevere drought
13.9 / yr (+12.6)Mid-century 100°F days
16.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.48" (+7.4%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.74×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,899Home insurance / yr
4.7% / yrInsurance growth
1.45%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
23,326People within 30 min
1,246,919People within 2 hr
20,374Radius comparison (15 mi)
24.6People / sq mi
9.9%Federal land
93.9%Land at 15% slope or less
16.6%Septic soil without severe limits
20,690 acWorkable land screen
31.3%Wooded land
48.6 tonsBiomass / forest ac
57.8°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Pulaski County

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

Pulaski County rules

  • Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

    Southern Seven Health Department's private sewage disposal and water supply programs serving Pulaski County and six other named counties.

    • The Southern Seven Health Department operates within the statewide IDPH regulatory framework.
    “Private Sewage Disposal & Water Supply Programs [...] Serving: Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, & Union County”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, installation, repair, alteration, or extension of a private sewage disposal system in Pulaski County.

    • Only the homeowner or a State of Illinois Private Sewage System Installation Contractor may apply and construct, alter, or extend the system.
    • A $150 fee must be paid to Southern Seven Health Department before construction.
    • The application must be complete and include the required drawing and signatures.
    • Additional information is required before issuance if a geothermal well, water softener, swimming pool, or hot tub will be installed on site.
    • Other documents may be required for property smaller than one acre.
    • The permit is valid for six months after issuance; an extension must be requested in writing before expiration.
    • The health department must be notified 48 hours before construction.
    • An NPDES permit is separately required when applicable to surface discharges entering waters of the United States.

    permit fee: 150 USD (Must be paid before construction.) · permit validity: 6 months (Written extension request must be submitted before expiration.) · advance construction notice: 48 hours (For routine field visits.) · small-property threshold: < 1 acre (Other documents may be required.)

    “PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING A PERMIT TO INSTALL A PRIVATE SEWAGE SYSTEM”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New private sewage disposal system construction in Pulaski County.

    • Southern Seven must be notified at least 48 hours before construction for routine field visits.
    • The contractor must call for final inspection and approval before covering the system.
    • The system must conform to the permit and applicable Illinois and county private sewage disposal requirements.

    advance inspection notice: 48 hours (Before construction begins for routine field visits.)

    “I will call for final inspection and approval of this system before covering.”
  • County-wide zoningAbsent

    No county zoning or planning department appears in Pulaski County's official department directory; municipal zoning is handled within incorporated towns only.

    Pulaski County IL official website (departments) ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Illinois rules that apply here

  • Building permitLimited

    Privately funded construction in Illinois; the State does not itself issue building permits, while any required permit is addressed by the applicable local government.

    • Permit requirements may be imposed and administered by the municipality, village, city, or county having jurisdiction.
    • The Illinois Capital Development Board states that statewide building codes became effective 1/1/2025, while local code officials remain the best source for project-specific answers.

    statewide building-code effective date: 2025-01-01

    “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 building permits 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.”
  • 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©.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Public facilities and multi-story housing units in Illinois, including all spaces and elements within them as defined in the Illinois Accessibility Code.
      “The Illinois Accessibility Code implements the Environmental Barriers Act. The Code includes design requirements for public facilities and multi-story housing units as defined in the Code as well as all spaces and elements within them. It has the force of a building code in Illinois. The Code constitutes the minimum requirements and any governmental unit may enact stricter standards to increase access.”
    • 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

    New or substantially improved commercial buildings in Illinois jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code, including any applicable unincorporated Pulaski County area if it is a non-building-code jurisdiction.

    • The property owner or owner's agent must contract for inspection by a qualified inspector before occupancy.
    • The qualified inspector must file a certification of inspection with the municipality or county having jurisdiction.
    • The certification must state compliance with the applicable IEBC, IBC, NEC, Illinois Energy Conservation Code, Illinois Accessibility Code, Illinois Plumbing Code, and Fire Prevention and Safety Rules identified by the Capital Development Board.
    • The requirement applies only where the relevant municipality or county is a non-building-code jurisdiction; a municipality or county is not required to adopt a building code, and if it does not adopt one, section 10.09-1 applies.
    • The source states that non-state buildings must be inspected by a qualified inspector; it does not establish that Pulaski County itself is a non-building-code jurisdiction.
    • State-funded buildings are separately included in the Capital Development Board summary and must comply with the listed codes.
    • The Capital Development Board page states that the statewide building-code legislation is effective January 1, 2025.
    • The Capital Development Board page advises consulting a design professional regarding exceptions, exemptions, and other codes that may apply.
    “Commercial buildings in jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code AND state funded buildings. [...] Non-state buildings must be inspected by a qualified inspector stating the building complies with the above codes.”
    2 more reviewed findings 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.”
    • Limited — Privately funded construction statewide in Illinois, as to inspections performed by the State rather than by a local authority having jurisdiction.
      “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.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    County zoning regulations for building or setback lines outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.

    • The actual setback distances are established by applicable county zoning districts or other local ordinances.
    • Agricultural buildings may be required to conform to building or setback lines.
    “to establish building or setback lines”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    County zoning districts outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.

    • The applicable county zoning ordinance determines the actual height limit by district or use.
    • No single statewide height measurement was identified.
    “including height of buildings and structures”
  • 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”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Manufactured homes installed for occupancy in Illinois, including Pulaski County.
      “requires all manufactured homes to be installed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or the homeowner. [...] Department's Manufactured Home Installation Code.”
  • 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.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision of land in Pulaski County, including land outside incorporated municipalities and land subject to a municipal official plan.

    • When land is divided into 2 or more parts and any part is less than 5 acres, the land must be surveyed and a subdivision plat prepared by an Illinois Registered Land Surveyor.
    • The plat must include required streets, easements, parcels, lots, blocks, monuments, and required topographic and profile studies.
    • The Plat Act does not apply, and no subdivision plat is required, for divisions into parcels or tracts of 5 acres or more that do not involve new streets or easements of access.
    • Other statutory exemptions include certain divisions of lots or blocks in recorded subdivisions, transfers between adjoining landowners, public-purpose or utility conveyances, corrections of prior descriptions, divisions into no more than 2 parts of certain parcels existing on July 17, 1959, and wind-energy plats.
    • A single lot of less than 5 acres may be sold from a larger tract when surveyed by an Illinois Registered Land Surveyor, but the exemption does not apply to subsequent lots from the same larger tract and does not invalidate local subdivision requirements.
    • Counties may adopt standards, ordinances, or specifications reducing the acreage minimum below 5 acres but not below 2 acres, or supplementing the Act's requirements.
    • For land outside incorporated cities, villages, or towns and not affected by a municipal official plan, the plat must be submitted to the county board for approval.
    • Approval requires the statutory drainage statement and written approvals concerning roadway access and, where applicable, sewage disposal.

    plat threshold: < 5 acres (A plat is generally required when any resulting part is less than 5 acres.) · county-reducible acreage minimum: >= 2 acres (A county may reduce the statutory acreage minimum, but not below 2 acres.)

    “any of which is less than 5 acres, he must have it surveyed and a subdivision plat thereof made”
  • 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)

    IDNR/Office of Water Resources permit application review fees for activities in Illinois floodways, including qualifying activities in Pulaski County.

    • The fee applies when a permit is required and the activity is not already permitted by Statewide Permit authorization.
    • All applications and written inquiries are reviewed free of charge to determine whether authorization is required, provided sufficient information is supplied.
    • The fee is non-refundable except for overpayments.
    • The fee is determined after the Department's initial review and is based on estimated professional and administrative staff time.
    • Standard activity fees range from $200 to $5,000, and the review fee is capped at $5,000 per application.
    • If authorization under multiple IDNR/OWR administrative-code parts is required, the fees are added together but remain capped at $5,000.
    • The fee is adjusted annually on July 1 for inflation and rounded to the nearest $10.
    • Continued review will not proceed without payment; an application is deemed withdrawn if payment is not received within 90 days after notice of the fee amount.
    • Payment of the fee does not imply a promise that the permit will be issued.
    • The fee-review requirement became effective January 15, 2014.

    standard review fee: 200-5000 USD (The review fee is capped at $5,000 per application.) · fee adjustment: July 1 annually (Adjusted for inflation and rounded to the nearest $10.)

    “Permit application review fees are determined based on the estimated amount of professional and administrative staff time required to adequately decipher, sufficiently review, and properly document the work or activity proposed. A fee structure for standard activities, ranging between $200 and $5,000, has been developed by the IDNR and is published on the IDNR/Office of Water Resources Resource Management Web Site or see the Permit Fee Notice.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Variable (with conditions) — Applications and written inquiries for Illinois Department of Natural Resources public-water, dam, and floodway work requiring authorization.
      “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.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Construction projects in Illinois waterways, floodplains, and wetlands seeking State and Federal authorizations through the joint permit application process.

    • The joint application seeks authorizations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
    • The joint application form replaced the former Protecting Illinois Waters application package.
    “Construction projects in Illinois' waterways, floodplains and wetlands often require both State and Federal authorization. This joint application is designed to simplify the approval process for the applicant seeking project authorizations from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Office of Water Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.”
  • 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 from building permits, inspections, or code requirements in unincorporated Pulaski County, Illinois.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across municipalities and unincorporated areas of Pulaski County, Illinois.
  • Zoning districts — Published zoning districts applicable to unincorporated Pulaski County, Illinois.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements for residential dwellings in unincorporated Pulaski County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size requirements for residential development in unincorporated Pulaski County.
6 more unanswered
  • Lot coverage
  • Living in an RV
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • 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 Pulaski County, Illinois

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

Pulaski County scores 66/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: low administrative friction for a quiet rural property and manageable long-term carry cost.

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

Pulaski County does not require a county building permit for a home in unincorporated areas, and it has no county-wide zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Southern Seven Health Department (agent of Illinois Department of Public Health). 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 Pulaski County, Illinois?

Land in Pulaski County runs about $5,494 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Pulaski County?

Pulaski County gets about 49.5" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 4.5% of years.

How remote is Pulaski County?

A representative private-land location has about 23,326 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,246,919 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 Pulaski County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Pulaski compares in Illinois

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