Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Deer Creek Township, Illinois

Rules another office applies inside Deer Creek Township

Deer Creek 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 residential (non-commercial, non-industrial) structures built in Tazewell County, including land in Deer Creek township that is not in a municipality

  • Permit must be issued before construction; the brochure says 'failure to obtain a permit will result in doubling of the fee required'.
  • Commercial and industrial structures are outside this brochure.
  • The brochure does not address land inside a municipality.

  “prior to the issuance of a building permit by the tazewell county community development department for construction of all structures other than commercial and industrial”

• Building code adoptedAdopted

  Residential building permits issued by Tazewell County Community Development for construction in Deer Creek township

  • The brochure says plans are reviewed for compliance 'where applicable'.
  • The brochure says it 'serves as a guide, other information may be required by the community development administrator'.
  • Code editions are as named in the brochure, which states an effective date of February 1, 2014 for its requirements list; the adopting ordinance was not opened.

  “plans are reviewed for compliance where applicable with the tazewell county code, state of illinois plumbing code, 2018 international residential code, 2017 national electric code and illinois energy conservation code”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  Zoning districts for unincorporated Tazewell County, including Deer Creek township land under county zoning

  • The map is linked from the Community Development page; the map itself was not opened.

  “enterprise zone information zoning districts map building and permit information codes and ordinances”

• SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

  Single-family residential district R-1 (the brochure row also lists R-2) in unincorporated Tazewell County, including Deer Creek township land under county zoning

  • Setbacks in feet from the brochure.
  • Road right-of-way setbacks are separate and not included.
  • Village of Deer Creek land is outside this county rule.

  rear yard setback, principal structure: 20 feet · side yard setback, principal structure: 10 feet · rear yard setback, accessory structure: 5 feet · side yard setback, accessory structure: 5 feet

  “rear & side yard setbacks principal structure accessory structure rear side rear side r-1 & r-2 20' 10' 5' 5'”

• Who permits septicState (with conditions)

  Private sewage disposal systems (septic tanks and seepage fields) installed on land in Deer Creek township

  • IDPH also regulates alternative systems discharging up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface, per the IDPH page.
  • IDPH says about 90 local health agencies also review plans, by local ordinance or as its agent; the Tazewell County Health Department role is recorded separately.

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

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Local (with conditions) — Septic permit review for private sewage disposal systems in Deer Creek township

    “copy of septic permit from the tazewell county health department approving sewage disposal facility, when applicable”

• Septic permitRequired

  Building permit applications for homes with a private septic system in Deer Creek township

  • Required 'when applicable'.
  • The brochure says the approval takes approximately 2 working days and tells applicants to check with the health department, (309) 477-2223.

  approval turnaround: 2 working days (approximate)

  “note; takes approximately 2 working days - check with health department. (309) 477-2223”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions in unincorporated Tazewell County, including Deer Creek township land under county zoning

  • Subdivision ordinance text not opened.

  “additional departmental functions include the administration and enforcement of the subdivision ordinance, erosion, sediment and storm water control ordinance, flood plain development ordinance, adult use ordinance”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Residential building permit fees issued by Tazewell County Community Development

  • Fees are as printed on the brochure (undated apart from its 2025 upload); a newer fee schedule may exist and was not found.
  • Failure to obtain a permit doubles the fee.

  dwelling 200 sq ft or less: 200 USD · dwelling 1,001 to 2,000 sq ft: 450 USD · electrical permit per dwelling unit: 55 USD · 911 addressing fee per unit: 50 USD

  “dwellings: 1 & 2 family - new, additions, alteration and repairs • 200 square feet or less $200.00 • 201 to 699 square feet $300.00 • 700 to 1,000 square feet $400.00 • 1,001 to 2,000 square feet $450.00”

• Permit processPartial

  Residential building permit application process run by Tazewell County Community Development

  • The brochure lists submittal items (application, plans, site plan, septic permit, driveway access permit, erosion permit, mailing address) and a 48-hour review for most applications; the full process was not published as a complete procedure.
  • The brochure says it 'serves as a guide'.

  “effective february 1, 2014 the following information will be required at the time of submittal of a building permit application”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption for a home built by the owner in Deer Creek township
• Inspections — Building inspections for residential construction in Deer Creek township
• Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy certificate for a new home in Deer Creek township
• Local zoning — Land inside Deer Creek township limits (Tazewell County, IL): whether the township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum floor area of a dwelling in unincorporated Tazewell County

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.