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

Rules another office applies inside Lakewood Township

Lakewood 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

  Placing, erecting, altering or locating any structure (any home type, including manufactured, modular and mobile homes, and accessory buildings) on land inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL, where the land is unincorporated and the county zoning office administers permits

  • Applies to land within Lakewood township only if it is unincorporated and the township has not adopted its own zoning; the county page does not state Lakewood township's own status.
  • Traditionally no building permit is required for aluminum car ports or boat docks.
  • Permit is issued typically within 15 business days after the sewer permit from the health department (if applicable).
  • Construction without a permit is a petty offense with a fine not to exceed $500, each week a separate offense.
  • Construction must begin within 1 year or the permit expires.

  construction start deadline after permit issuance: 1 year (permit expires if construction not begun)

  “no structure of any kind shall be placed, erected, altered, changed, or located on any land within the jurisdiction of shelby county, illinois, including any unincorporated villages, without an improvement location permit (building permit).”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts applying to unincorporated land inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL

  • The permit application names four districts (AG, R1, RR, business); the zoning map linked from the county page was not opened, so district boundaries for Lakewood township are not verified.
  • Whether Lakewood township has its own districts is unknown (see local_zoning).

  “agricultural - ag single family - r1 rural residential – rr business”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Residences built on unincorporated land inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL (all county zoning districts, as stated)

  • Stated as the current requirement on the county zoning office page; the ordinance text was not reachable to confirm.
  • A variance may be applied for if the rule creates hardship.

  minimum residence size: >= 900 square feet (variance available)

  “currently, the minimum requirement for a residence is 900 square feet.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  Use of a recreational vehicle as a dwelling on land inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL, where the land is unincorporated

  • Dwelling use is allowed only in locations lawfully established for that use, such as parks and campgrounds.
  • Applies to unincorporated land under the county zoning office; township status not verified.

  “recreational vehicles shall not be used as dwelling units except in locations lawfully established for such use, such as parks and campgrounds”

• Tiny homesLimited

  Occupancy of a small home (tiny home) as a residence on land inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL, where the land is unincorporated

  • Minimum residence size of 900 square feet is stated as the current requirement.
  • A variance may be applied for during the application process if a rule creates hardship.

  minimum residence size: >= 900 square feet (variance available during application)

  “currently, the minimum requirement for a residence is 900 square feet. if this rule, or any rule, is creating a particular hardship, you may apply for a variance during your application process.”

• Who permits septicLocal (with conditions)

  Sewer (wastewater) permit for a home inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL, issued by the Shelby County Health Department when applicable

  • Source says the sewer permit applies 'if applicable'; the criteria for applicability are not stated on the page.
  • The health department's service area covering Lakewood township and its septic-system rules were not verified.

  “once you’ve obtained a sewer permit from the shelby county health department (if applicable), you should apply for a building permit.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Sewer permit from the Shelby County Health Department before applying for a county building permit, for homes inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL

  • Applies 'if applicable' per the county zoning office; the septic permit itself (as distinct from a sewer permit) is not described on the page.
  • Inspection and fee details for the health department permit were not found.

  “this number is required if there will be a new sewer system installed and must be received before any permit can be issued.”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Shelby County zoning/building permit fees for structures on unincorporated land inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL

  • Fees listed on the county zoning office page; a separate 'ordinance fee schedule for permits' PDF is linked there but was not opened.
  • Commercial fees listed on the same page are excluded here.

  new residence permit fee: 175 USD (county zoning office fee list) · residential addition permit fee: 125 USD (county zoning office fee list) · accessory building permit fee: 125 USD (county zoning office fee list)

  “new residence: $175 residential addition: $125 accessory building: $125”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning/building permit process for structures on unincorporated land inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL

  • Apply for the county building permit after the sewer permit from the health department, if applicable.
  • Office is by appointment only (per the page).
  • Permit expires if construction does not begin within 1 year.

  typical permit issuance time: <= 15 business days (typical, not a guarantee)

  “typically, a permit is issued within 15 business days. you have 1 year to begin construction before the permit expires.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption from permits or licensing for homes built by the owner inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL
• Building code adopted — Building code adopted for new construction inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL
• Inspections — Whether building inspections are required for construction inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL
• Certificate of occupancy — Whether a certificate of occupancy is required inside Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL
• Local zoning — Whether Lakewood township, Shelby County, IL adopts and administers its own zoning ordinance for land inside its limits

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.