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

Rules another office applies inside Mascoutah Township

Mascoutah 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

  Residential dwellings and non-agricultural structures in the county 'A' agricultural industry district on unincorporated land, including such land inside Mascoutah township

  • Applies only in the agricultural district; other county zoning districts were not verified.
  • Buildings used or intended for exclusive agricultural activities are not covered by this sentence.
  • Construction may proceed after the permit is obtained.

  “in the agricultural district, a building permit shall be required for all residential dwellings and for all other buildings or structures not used or intended for exclusive use for agricultural activities.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  County zoning districts on unincorporated land in St. Clair County, including such land inside Mascoutah township

  • Districts apply only outside the limits of cities, villages and incorporated towns that have municipal zoning codes, and outside the Scott Air Force Base boundaries.
  • Whether the City of Mascoutah has its own municipal zoning code was not verified; land inside city limits is not covered by this county list if it does.
  • District symbols include A, RR-1, RR-3, SR-1, SR-2, SR-3, SR-MH, MHP, MR-1 and MR-2.

  “for the purpose of this zoning code, the entire county of st. clair outside the limits of cities, villages and incorporated towns which have in effect municipal zoning codes and outside the boundaries of scott air force base, is hereby divided into the following zoning districts”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Residential lots that need a private sewage disposal system inside Mascoutah township, as set by the St. Clair County Health Department code (zoning district lot minimums not verified)

  • Usable space excluding lakes, ponds and easements.
  • A greater area may be required by the health department for drainage, soil or other health concerns.
  • Within a subdivision with no available municipal water, the minimum is three (3) acres usable space (section 19-2-3(b)).

  minimum lot size for septic-served residential structure: >= 1 acre (Usable space excluding lakes, ponds and easements; three acres within a subdivision without available municipal water; larger area may be required by the health department)

  “minimum lot size for a residential structure requiring a private sewage disposal system shall be one (1) acre usable space in size excluding lakes, ponds and easements.”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Individual domestic sewage disposal systems inside Mascoutah township, administered by the St. Clair County Health Department

  • Applies to private sewage disposal systems receiving domestic sewage under 1,500 gallons per day (section 19-2-1).
  • The code is interpreted and enforced together with the state Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905 (section 19-2-2).
  • The City of Mascoutah's own sewer rules, if any, were not researched.

  “all applications for permits granted under the provisions of this code shall be made to the health department.”

• Septic permitRequired

  Construction, alteration or extension of an individual domestic sewage disposal system on land inside Mascoutah township

  • A valid permit from the St. Clair County Health Department is required before the work.
  • Permits are issued only to a homeowner or a St. Clair County licensed installation contractor (section 19-2-4(c)).
  • Permit application forms, fees and timelines were not retrieved.

  “it shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter or extend individual domestic sewage disposal systems within st. clair county unless he/she holds a valid permit issued by the health department”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Subdivision of land inside Mascoutah township for lots served by private sewage systems

  • The health department requires soil absorption information and may require plat changes before lots are approved (section 19-2-3(b)).
  • A subdivision review fee applies based on lot count; the fee schedule text is illegible in the retrieved copy.
  • The county subdivision or platting ordinance was not retrieved.

  “the health department shall require persons who subdivide property to furnish information on forms provided by the health department concerning soil absorption capacities”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Mascoutah township
• Building code adopted — Land inside Mascoutah township limits: which building code applies
• Inspections — Inspections for new construction inside Mascoutah township
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy approval for new dwellings inside Mascoutah township
• Local zoning — Land inside Mascoutah township limits: whether Mascoutah township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance

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.