Bolthole Index

Sangamon County, Illinois

Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Leland Grove, Illinois

Leland Grove, Illinois, a city in Sangamon County, requires a building and zoning permit from its city administrator for new structures, new driveways and fences over 20 inches1. The whole city is one residential zoning district2, and manufactured homes are prohibited in it3. Septic permits are handled by the Sangamon County health department, not the city4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from the city administrator for new structures, roof or footprint changes, driveways and other listed work1
Zoning
The city's own code; the entire city is one residential district2
Permit fee
$75 for a building and zoning permit5
Inspections
Required; delivered through Sangamon County, paid by the owner6
Septic
Sangamon County health department; licensed contractor and soil scientist required4
Manufactured and mobile homes
Prohibited citywide3
Short-term rentals
Prohibited (rentals under 30 days)7

Who to call

Building permits

City of Leland Grove, Building and Zoning (city administrator's office)

Building and zoning permits, contractor registration and permit forms inside Leland Grove city limits

217-698-1300

[email protected]

2000 Chatham Rd. Leland Grove, Illinois, 62704

Septic permits

Sangamon County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health

Septic system permits and private well permits; the county health department serves city lots as well as unincorporated land

217-535-3145

2833 South Grand Avenue East Springfield, IL 62703-2175

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Leland Grove, Illinois?

Yes. Inside Leland Grove city limits, anyone starting work on a new structure, a change to a building's footprint or roof, a new driveway, a sidewalk, a retaining wall, a pool, an outdoor kitchen, a fence over 20 inches, or any work in city right-of-way must first get a building and zoning permit from the city administrator1. Minor repairs and maintenance do not need one1. The permit goes to the owner or to a contractor acting as the owner's agent1.

The fee for a building and zoning permit is $75, and demolition is also $755. Inspection fees are separate5. Those fee amounts come from the city code as last reviewed, so confirm the current figure with the city office before you budget.

Who issues building permits in Leland Grove, and how do you reach them?

The City of Leland Grove issues its own building and zoning permits; the city administrator is the issuing official1. The city's permits page lets you download a permit form or ask for one at the office8. The city office is at 2000 Chatham Rd. and the phone is 217-698-13008. Paying the fee happens when the form is turned in, and starting work without a permit doubles the fee8.

Contractors doing permitted work must register with the city first and show a license and insurance; registration costs $50 and lasts one calendar year95. A permit application needs a scaled drawing showing the building location and setback lines, dimensioned building plans, and an estimated construction cost9. We could not confirm the review timeline, so ask the city office how long approval takes.

The Sangamon County Department of Building and Zoning serves unincorporated land only; it is not the office for a lot inside Leland Grove10.

Does Leland Grove have zoning, and what does it mean for setbacks and manufactured homes?

Leland Grove has its own zoning, and the entire city is one district, the A Residential District2. Property annexed into the city is classified in that same district11. Because there is only one district, the rules below apply to every lot in the city.

Principal buildings need a front yard of at least 35 feet, which grows where neighbors on the same street side within 300 feet average deeper, plus side yards of at least 5 feet each that total at least 15 feet, and a rear yard of at least 25 feet12. On lots less than 125 feet deep the rear yard can drop to 20 percent of the lot depth12. No building or structure may exceed 2.5 stories or 35 feet, whichever is taller13.

Manufactured homes, mobile homes and short-term rentals are prohibited citywide, and the code does not allow them even by appeal or variation37. We could not confirm minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size or lot coverage limits; ask the city administrator for those before you buy.

How do septic permits work in Leland Grove?

Septic permits for Leland Grove lots without public sewer come from the Sangamon County health department, not from the city4. The owner hires a licensed septic contractor, who typically completes the permit and submits the application to the county health department4. The owner must also hire a licensed soil scientist to evaluate the soil4.

Call the county's environmental inspectors at 217-535-3145 with questions14. We could not confirm the septic permit fee, and we could not confirm whether the city requires a home to connect to public water or sewer where it is available, so ask the city administrator before assuming a septic system is an option. Private well permits also run through the county health department, with review targeted at 7–10 business days after submission15.

Can you live in an RV, tiny home or manufactured home in Leland Grove?

Manufactured homes and mobile homes are prohibited in Leland Grove, with no appeal or variation available3. Short-term rentals of less than 30 days are prohibited too7.

We could not confirm the city's rules for living in an RV, camping on a lot, or building a tiny home or accessory dwelling unit. Because the whole city is a single residential district, do not assume any of these is allowed; get a written answer from the city administrator at 217-698-1300 before buying or parking anything on a lot8.

Building a home in Leland Grove: the steps, in order

  1. Call the city administrator's office to confirm the lot's setbacks, height limit and any lot-size or coverage rules we could not confirm8.
  2. If the lot has no public sewer, hire a licensed soil scientist and a licensed septic contractor and apply to the Sangamon County health department4.
  3. Register your contractor with the city if one will do permitted work9.
  4. Submit the building and zoning permit application with a scaled site drawing, dimensioned plans and a cost estimate, and pay the $75 fee95.
  5. Get the required inspections, arranged through Sangamon County, at the owner's cost; they run from setback and footing checks to framing, electrical service and a final review6.
  6. Ask the city whether a certificate of occupancy is required for your home; we could not confirm it.

What stays with Sangamon County, and what to check before you buy in Leland Grove?

Septic and well permits for city lots go through the Sangamon County health department4. Land outside the city limits falls under Sangamon County's own rules instead; see the Sangamon County page for unincorporated land.

Check floodplain status first: any development in a mapped floodplain inside the city needs a development permit from the city administrator16. Then confirm utilities and soils. County-wide, about 25% of soils are rated not limited for a conventional septic drain field, so many lots need a site evaluation17. Sangamon County's effective property tax rate is about 2%18.

Watch-outs

  • The city code we reviewed adopts the 2006 International Building Code and International Residential Code and may not reflect later amendments, so ask the city administrator which code editions apply today19.
  • A new home on a lot without public sewer needs a county septic permit and a soil scientist's evaluation before design is final4.
  • Starting work without a permit doubles the permit fee8.
  • We could not confirm minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, lot coverage, RV or tiny-home rules, or whether a certificate of occupancy is required; the city administrator at 217-698-1300 is the office to ask8.

Sources

  1. Leland Grove Code Title 8 Chapter 1 (8-1-1 building code; 8-1-2 permits and fees; 8-1-3 contractor registration; 8-1-4 inspection) (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  2. Leland Grove Code Title 9 Chapter 3 (A Residential District), 9-3-1 through 9-3-9 (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  3. Leland Grove Code Title 9 Chapter 3 (A Residential District), 9-3-1 through 9-3-9 (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sangamon County Public Health - Environmental Health (septic and wells) (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  5. Leland Grove Code Title 8 Chapter 1 (8-1-1 building code; 8-1-2 permits and fees; 8-1-3 contractor registration; 8-1-4 inspection) (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  6. Leland Grove Code Title 8 Chapter 1 (8-1-1 building code; 8-1-2 permits and fees; 8-1-3 contractor registration; 8-1-4 inspection) (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  7. Leland Grove Code Title 9 Chapter 3 (A Residential District), 9-3-1 through 9-3-9 (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  8. City of Leland Grove, Building and Zoning (city administrator's office) (lelandgrove.com)
  9. Leland Grove Code Title 8 Chapter 1 (8-1-1 building code; 8-1-2 permits and fees; 8-1-3 contractor registration; 8-1-4 inspection) (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  10. Permits, quoted and re-checked
  11. Leland Grove Code Title 9 Chapter 3 (A Residential District), 9-3-1 through 9-3-9 (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  12. Leland Grove Code Title 9 Chapter 3 (A Residential District), 9-3-1 through 9-3-9 (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  13. Leland Grove Code Title 9 Chapter 3 (A Residential District), 9-3-1 through 9-3-9 (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  14. Sangamon County Department of Public Health, Environmental Health (sangamonil.gov)
  15. sangamonil.gov, quoted and re-checked
  16. Leland Grove Code Title 8 Chapter 3 (Development in Floodplain Areas), 8-3-4 and 8-3-5 (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked
  17. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  18. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  19. Leland Grove Code Title 8 Chapter 1 (8-1-1 building code; 8-1-2 permits and fees; 8-1-3 contractor registration; 8-1-4 inspection) (Leland Grove), quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 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.

Answers from the rulebook for Leland Grove

Leland Grove’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New structures, roof or footprint changes, new driveways, sidewalks, retaining walls, pools, outdoor kitchens, fences over 20 inches, and work on city right-of-way inside Leland Grove city limits; issued by the city administrator

    • Permit required for new structures, changes to a structure's footprint or roof profile, listed site improvements, work that installs or relocates water, electric or sewer lines or changes framing or foundations, and any work in city right-of-way (8-1-2(a)).
    • A building and zoning permit is not required for minor repairs, maintenance, or other minor work (8-1-2(d)).
    • A permit is issued to the owner, or to a contractor acting as the owner's agent (8-1-2(e)).
    • Issuing a permit does not exempt the owner from federal, state and local law (8-1-2(c)).
    • Section 8-1-2 tag: ord. 417, 3-28-2017.
    “any person, prior to beginning work on any of the items listed below, shall obtain a building and zoning permit from the city administrator.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Building construction inside Leland Grove city limits

    • Adopted codes are the International Building Code and International Residential Code, both 2006 editions with amendments (8-1-1(a)); the code text says this is pursuant to 65 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/1-3-1 et seq.
    • Also adopted as used by the Sangamon County Department of Public Health: 1997 Illinois Accessibility Code or current state edition, 2004 Illinois Plumbing Code or current state edition, 2005 National Electrical Code, and 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (8-1-1(a)).
    • Where a city code provision conflicts with state law or another city ordinance, state law or the other ordinance prevails (8-1-1(a)).
    • Section 8-1-1 tag: ord. 417, 3-28-2017. The 2006 editions are old; the code text was not checked against any later adoption of newer editions because the city's own site was not opened.
    “the international building code, 2006 edition, and all amendments thereto, and the international residential code, 2006 edition, both published by the international code council, inc., are hereby adopted by reference as and for the building code of the city”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction under a city building and zoning permit inside Leland Grove city limits; the city's inspection system is delivered through Sangamon County

    • The permit holder must obtain the necessary inspections (8-1-4(a)).
    • The city provides inspection and enforcement of residential building codes through Sangamon County (8-1-4(a)).
    • Minimum inspections: setback, footings before pouring, plumbing ground work before pouring, rough-in of plumbing, electrical and mechanical, framing before drywall, electrical service, and a final review (8-1-4(a)).
    • Inspection required for new structures, changes to footprint or roof profile, and work that installs or relocates water, electric or sewer lines or changes framing or foundations (8-1-4(b)).
    • Owner pays all inspection costs (8-1-4(a)).
    • Section 8-1-4 tag: ord. 417, 3-28-2017.
    “the city will provide a system of inspections and enforcement of residential building codes by sangamon county. the owner shall be responsible for all inspection costs.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Leland Grove city limits; the city's own Title 9 zoning regulations apply to all land in the city

    • Section 9-3-1(a) designates the entire city as one zoning district, the A Residential District; Section 9-3-2 makes its boundaries conterminous with the city boundaries, and Section 9-3-3 classifies annexed land in that district.
    • Code text is the American Legal Publishing copy current through Ord. 447, passed 1-26-2021; the city's own website (lelandgrove.com) was not opened, so later amendments are not ruled out.
    “the city is hereby designated as one district, known as the a residential district.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Land inside Leland Grove city limits

    • The code defines only one zoning district: the A Residential District (Title 9, Chapter 3).
    • Section 9-3-3 classifies any property annexed into the city in the A Residential District.
    “the boundaries of the a residential district shall be conterminous with the boundaries of the city.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Main single-family residential district (the A Residential District, the only district in the city): principal buildings on lots inside Leland Grove city limits

    • Corner and double-frontage lots: the front yard requirement applies to both street sides of a corner lot and both main-street sides of a double-frontage lot (9-3-8(b)).
    • Front yard is increased to the larger average depth where the average front yard on the same street side within 300 feet exceeds 35 feet (9-3-8(a)).
    • Side yard: eaves and guttering may not come closer than 5 feet to the side lot line; detached garage eaves may be as close as 2.5 feet if the garage is at least 10 feet from any dwelling unit on the same or adjacent lots (9-3-8(c)).
    • Rear yard: on rear yards that abut a street, all encumbrances must be set back at least 10 feet from the lot line (9-3-8(d)).
    • Accessory buildings and other allowed obstructions have separate yard rules in 9-3-9 and 9-3-13, which were not fully retrieved.
    • Ordinance tag on Section 9-3-8: ord. 417, 3-28-2017. Code current through Ord. 447 (2021).

    front yard depth minimum: >= 35 feet (may be larger where the average front yard on the same street side within 300 feet exceeds 35 feet) · side yard each side minimum: >= 5 feet (detached garage eaves may be 2.5 feet from side lot line if garage is at least 10 feet from any dwelling unit) · combined side yards minimum: >= 15 feet · rear yard depth minimum: >= 25 feet (on lots less than 125 feet deep, rear yard is not less than 20 percent of lot depth)

    “there shall be a side yard on each side of any building, neither of which is less than five feet (5'), and together total at least fifteen feet (15')”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Main single-family residential district (the A Residential District, the only district in the city): all buildings and structures inside Leland Grove city limits

    • Limit applies to any building or other structure in the A Residential District.
    • Section 9-3-9(b) allows a television satellite dish or transmission tower in a rear yard up to 5 feet over the maximum height in 9-3-7.
    • Ordinance tag on Section 9-3-7: ord. 349, 1-24-2006.

    maximum stories: <= 2.5 stories (whichever is taller of the story limit or the height limit) · maximum building height: <= 35 feet (whichever is taller of the story limit or the height limit)

    “in the a residential district, no building or other structure shall exceed two and one-half (2 1 / 2) stories or exceed thirty five feet (35') in height, whichever is taller.”
  • Manufactured homesProhibited

    Manufactured homes and mobile homes inside the A Residential District, which is the entire city of Leland Grove

    • Prohibited uses in the A Residential District cannot be allowed even by appeal or variation (9-3-5(b)).
    • Ordinance tag on Section 9-3-5: ord. 349, 1-24-2006; ord. 437, 10-22-2019.
    “short-term rentals, manufactured homes, mobile homes, and motels”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New driveways inside Leland Grove city limits

    • A new driveway requires a building and zoning permit from the city administrator before work begins (8-1-2(a)(2)).
    • Work on city right-of-way also requires a permit (8-1-2(a)(4)).
    • Driveway width, grade, and access standards were not found in the retrieved text.
    “new driveways, sidewalks, retaining walls with exposed face of twenty inches”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Any development in a mapped floodplain inside Leland Grove city limits, issued by the city administrator

    • The city administrator may not issue a development permit if the development does not meet Chapter 8-3 requirements (8-3-5(a)).
    • Permit application must include site drawings, grade elevations, building locations, the lowest-floor elevation for regulated buildings, and a licensed engineer or architect's cost estimate (8-3-5(b)).
    • Base flood elevations for the Jacksonville Branch follow the 100-year profiles in the Flood Insurance Study of Sangamon County dated effective August 2, 2007 (8-3-4).
    • Applies to unincorporated Sangamon County land within the city's extraterritorial jurisdiction or that may be annexed, per 8-3-4(d).
    “no person, firm, corporation, or governmental body not exempted by law shall commence any development in the floodplain without first obtaining a development permit from the city administrator.”
  • Short-term rentalsProhibited

    Short-term rentals of any home, dwelling, structure or part of one inside the A Residential District, which covers all of Leland Grove city

    • Short-term rental means renting or leasing for less than 30 days (9-3-5(b), note 1).
    • Prohibited uses cannot be allowed even by appeal or variation (9-3-5(b)).
    • Home occupations under 9-3-15 are a separate permitted category and were not analyzed here.

    short-term rental minimum period: < 30 days

    “the renting or leasing of any home, dwelling, structure or any part thereof, for a period of less than thirty (30) days.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Building and zoning permit fees and contractor registration for work inside Leland Grove city limits

    • Inspection fees are separate from building and zoning permit fees (8-1-2(c)).
    • Other fees are as established by city council and administrative order (8-1-2(b)(3)).
    • Special use permit application fee is set by ordinance under Section 2-3-1, which was not retrieved.
    • Contractor registration valid for one calendar year (8-1-2(f)(5) and 8-1-3(a)).
    • Section 8-1-2 tag: ord. 417, 3-28-2017; the fee amounts may have been amended after Ord. 447 (2021).

    building and zoning permit fee: 75 USD (other fees as established by city council and administrative order) · demolition permit fee: 75 USD (includes partial and entire demolition projects) · contractor registration fee: 50 USD (per contractor, valid one year)

    “building and zoning permit: seventy five dollars ($75.00).”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building and zoning permit application for work inside Leland Grove city limits; issued by the city administrator

    • Application must include a drawing to scale showing building location, setback lines, lot dimensions and angles (8-1-2(f)(1)).
    • Application must include dimensioned building plans with structural elements designated (8-1-2(f)(2)).
    • Mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems require a properly drafted plan (8-1-2(f)(3)).
    • Application must include an estimated construction cost (8-1-2(f)(4)).
    • Contractors doing permitted work must register with the city before doing business in the city and show license and insurance (8-1-2(f)(5) and 8-1-3).
    • Documents are kept on file with the building official (8-1-2(f)(6)).
    • Steps for review, issuance timing, and appeal were not found in the retrieved text.
    “an estimate of the anticipated cost of construction shall accompany each request or application for a building and zoning permit.”

Rules another office applies inside Leland Grove

Leland Grove does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Septic permitRequired

    Installing, repairing or replacing a septic system on a lot inside Leland Grove city limits not served by public sewer, through Sangamon County Public Health

    • Owners must use a licensed septic contractor, who typically completes the permit and submits the application to the Sangamon County health department.
    • Owners must hire a licensed soil scientist to evaluate the soil.
    • Permit fee and application details were not confirmed from an official current source.
    “typically, the contractor will complete the permits, with your assistance, and submit the permit application to the sangamon county health department for you.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Leland Grove or Sangamon County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder construction inside Leland Grove city limits
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new construction inside Leland Grove city limits
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area of a single-family dwelling inside Leland Grove city limits (A Residential District)
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area for the A Residential District (the main single-family district) inside Leland Grove city limits
  • Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage in the A Residential District inside Leland Grove city limits
10 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Subdividing land

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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Leland Grove publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Sangamon County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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