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

Rules another office applies inside Rochester Township

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

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Private sewage (septic) systems on land inside Rochester township, administered by the Sangamon County Health Department (Environmental Health) rather than by the township

  • Applies to new septic systems and to repair or replacement of existing systems.
  • Governed by the Illinois Private Sewage Disposal Code, the Illinois Private Sewage Licensing Act and the Sangamon County ordinance cited by the county.
  • No Rochester-specific septic rule found; the Sangamon County health department service area is taken from the county page.

  “typically, the contractor will complete the permits, with your assistance, and submit the permit application to the sangamon county health department for you.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Installing a new septic system, or repairing or replacing an existing one, on land inside Rochester township

  • Owner must hire a licensed septic contractor, who submits the permit application to the Sangamon County health department.
  • Owner must hire a licensed soil scientist to interpret soil suitability before the system is designed and installed.
  • Permit fee not confirmed for Sangamon County; a $275 figure appears only on a Menard County form and is not used here.

  “when installing a new septic system or repairing or replacing an existing system, owners will need to hire a licensed septic contractor.”

• Well permitRequired

  Installing, repairing or replacing a private water well on land inside Rochester township

  • For a new or replaced well a licensed well-driller is required; for existing wells a licensed well-pump contractor is required.
  • The contractor completes the water well permit application and submits it to the Sangamon County health department, which reviews plans and works to approval within 7 to 10 business days.
  • Permit covers construction, modification or abandonment of wells.

  health department review time: 7 to 10 business days

  “typically, the contractor will complete the water well permit application, with your assistance, and submit the permit application to the sangamon county health department for you.”

• Agricultural exemptionConditional

  Agricultural-exempt permits processed by the Sangamon County zoning department for unincorporated land, which covers unincorporated land inside Rochester township; the county's ag-exempt criteria were not retrieved

  • Only the existence of an ag-exempt permit process is confirmed; the eligibility test, fees and forms were not opened.
  • Applies to unincorporated Sangamon County only; does not reach the Village of Rochester or any incorporated area.

  “we also take home occupation, fence, temporary use and ag-exempt permits.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Whether a building permit is required for a new home inside Rochester township
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction inside Rochester township
• Building code adopted — Which building code applies to construction inside Rochester township
• Inspections — Building inspections for construction inside Rochester township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home inside Rochester township

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.