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

Rules another office applies inside Ridge Township

Ridge 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

  New structures and alterations on unincorporated land inside Ridge township, issued by the Shelby County zoning office

  • Construction may not begin until the improvement location (building) permit is issued.
  • Once the permit is applied for, a sewer permit from the county health department is required first where applicable.
  • Traditionally no building permit is required for aluminum car ports or boat docks.
  • Permit expires if construction does not begin within 1 year.
  • Construction without a permit is a petty offense with a fine not to exceed $500, each week uncorrected a separate offense.

  “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).”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  County zoning in unincorporated Shelby County, which includes unincorporated land inside Ridge township; this is the county's rule, not a Ridge township ordinance

  • Applies only in unincorporated areas; municipal zoning governs incorporated places.
  • Ridge township's own adoption of zoning was not confirmed (see ridge-township-local-zoning-unknown).

  “the zoning office is responsible for the issuance of building permits and enforcement of ordinance in any unincorporated areas of shelby county”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Current zoning district designations for parcels on unincorporated land inside Ridge township, shown on the county GIS map

  • County zoning map PDF is linked from the county page but was not opened; district-by-district text not reviewed.

  “shelby county provides an online gis website at shelby county illinois supervisor of assessments gis map.”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Residences on unincorporated land inside Ridge township (county minimum, not a Ridge township rule)

  • Variance may be requested if the minimum creates a hardship.
  • Stated on the county zoning FAQ; the ordinance section was not opened.

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

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

• Living in an RVLimited

  Using a recreational vehicle as a dwelling on unincorporated land inside Ridge township

  • Allowed only in locations lawfully established for such use, such as parks and campgrounds.
  • Private-land RV living is not permitted under this statement.

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

• Tiny homesLimited

  Tiny homes used as a residence on unincorporated land inside Ridge township

  • Residence must meet the county minimum of 900 square feet.
  • Variance may be applied for if the rule creates a hardship.
  • No tiny-home-specific rule was found.

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

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

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes placed on unincorporated land inside Ridge township

  • Requires an improvement location (building) permit like any other home.
  • Must meet the county minimum residence size of 900 square feet.
  • The county page does not state a separate manufactured-home placement rule.

  “examples: any style of home, regardless of construction type, such as frame, manufactured, modular, mobile, pole built, or shouse.”

• Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

  Private sewage (septic) systems on land inside Ridge township: state rules, with the county health department handling the sewer permit where applicable

  • The state (IDPH) regulates installation of systems with no surface discharge; county health departments may review plans under local ordinance or as IDPH agent.
  • The county zoning page refers residents to the Shelby County Health Department for the sewer permit (if applicable).

  “the illinois department of public health (idph) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Preliminary and final plats for additions or subdivisions on unincorporated land inside Ridge township

  • Plat review fees are stated per lot or parcel; plat regulations themselves were not opened.

  preliminary plat application fee: 500 USD (plus $25 for each lot or parcel)

  “application for preliminary plat, plus $25 for each lot or parcel in the proposed addition or subdivision”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Shelby County zoning permit fees for unincorporated land inside Ridge township

  • Fee schedule dated October 20, 2023; confirm it is current with the zoning office.
  • Fees listed for residential additions and accessory buildings are $125 each.

  new residence building permit fee: 175 USD · accessory building permit fee: 125 USD

  “shelby county requires a minimal fee to offset the cost of the zoning office. new residence: $175 residential addition: $125 accessory building: $125”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  Building permit process for unincorporated land inside Ridge township

  • Apply after deciding size and placement and after any county health sewer permit (if applicable).
  • Office is by appointment only; the zoning administrator is part-time.
  • Permit typically issued within 15 business days; construction must begin within 1 year.

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

  “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 Ridge Township or Shelby County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Whether owner-builders are exempt from county permits on unincorporated land inside Ridge township
• Building code adopted — Which building code (if any) is adopted for unincorporated land inside Ridge township
• Inspections — Whether the county inspects construction on unincorporated land inside Ridge township
• Certificate of occupancy — Whether a certificate of occupancy is required on unincorporated land inside Ridge township
• Minimum lot size — Main single-family residential district in county zoning, applied to land inside Ridge 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.