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

Rules another office applies inside Hopedale Township

Hopedale 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

  Construction of structures other than commercial and industrial inside unincorporated Hopedale township (outside the Village of Hopedale)

  • Permit issued by the Tazewell County Community Development Department after application and submittal review.
  • Construction or soil disturbance before a building permit or erosion permit may result in fines and a stop work order.
  • Packet says accessory structures and decks over 200 sq ft have no plan review but still require the permit form and site plan.

  “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

  New residential construction in unincorporated Tazewell County land inside Hopedale township: plans are reviewed against the listed codes.

  • Lists Tazewell County zoning code, Illinois plumbing code Part 890, 2018 International Residential Code, 2017 National Electrical Code, 2018 International Mechanical Code and Illinois Energy Conservation Code (most current edition).
  • Applies to residential permit submittals by the county; the Village of Hopedale is excluded.

  “plans are reviewed for compliance with the following codes: tazewell county zoning code, current state of illinois plumbing code part 890, 2018 international residential code, 2017 national electrical code, 2018 international mechanical code and illinois energy conservation code-most current edition.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land in unincorporated Hopedale township (outside the Village of Hopedale), Tazewell County, IL: the Tazewell County Zoning Ordinance administered by the county Community Development Department.

  • Applies to unincorporated land only; land inside the Village of Hopedale follows village rules, not this county ordinance.
  • Source does not state whether Hopedale township has adopted its own zoning ordinance; see the township-specific local_zoning claim.
  • Zoning ordinance text itself was not opened; purpose article cites 55 ILCS 5/5-12001.

  “the primary function of the community development department is for the administration, interpretation and enforcement of the tazewell county zoning ordinance.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Zoning districts for unincorporated Hopedale township (outside the Village of Hopedale)

  • Community Development page links a zoning districts map; the map itself was not opened.

  “the unincorporated areas of the county are divided into “zoning districts.” particular types of uses are allowed in each of these districts. the zoning ordinance lists these uses.”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Principal and accessory structures on land zoned A-1 or A-2 (agricultural) in unincorporated Hopedale township (not the Village of Hopedale)

  • Principal structure: rear 50 ft, side 30 ft. Accessory structure: rear 25 ft, side 15 ft (brochure table column order).
  • Road setbacks are listed separately in the brochure and were not parsed here.
  • Brochure is a county summary; the ordinance text was not opened.

  principal structure rear yard setback: 50 ft · principal structure side yard setback: 30 ft · accessory structure rear yard setback: 25 ft · accessory structure side yard setback: 15 ft

  “rear & side yard setbacks principal structure accessory structure rear side rear side r-1 & r-2 20' 10' 5' 5' r-r 30' 30' 15' 15' a-1, a-2 & cons. 50' 30' 25' 15'”

  2 more reviewed findings on this topic

  • Specified — Principal and accessory structures on land zoned R-1 or R-2 in unincorporated Hopedale township (not the Village of Hopedale)

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

  • Specified — Principal and accessory structures on land zoned R-R (rural residential) in unincorporated Hopedale township (not the Village of Hopedale)

    “rear & side yard setbacks principal structure accessory structure rear side rear side r-1 & r-2 20' 10' 5' 5' r-r 30' 30' 15' 15' a-1, a-2 & cons. 50' 30' 25' 15'”

• Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

  Septic and sewage disposal approval for land inside Hopedale township (unincorporated area), handled by the Tazewell County Health Department.

  • Approval is a septic permit or written approval from the health department, or a sanitary-district hookup letter instead (per packet).
  • The health department service area is not described by township on the page; countywide applicability is inferred from the packet.

  “septic permit or written approval from the tazewell county health department (309-477-2223)”

• Septic permitRequired

  New dwelling or site plan in Hopedale township where a septic system is used (not on sanitary-district sewer)

  • Brochure says the septic permit is required 'when applicable'; a sanitary-district hookup letter can substitute per packet.
  • Site plan must show well and septic locations and, for lots under 2 acres, a replacement septic area.

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

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions and subdivisions in unincorporated Hopedale township

  • Administered by the county Community Development Department under the county subdivision ordinance; the ordinance text was not opened.
  • Does not apply to incorporated Village of Hopedale land.

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

• Permit feesPublished

  Residential building, electrical, plumbing and related permit fees for unincorporated Hopedale township

  • Brochure fee table; it gives no effective date for the fee schedule (file posted 2025/09).
  • Failure to obtain a permit doubles the fee.
  • Plus a 911 addressing fee of $50 per unit and other listed fees (demolition, fences, temporary use).

  1 & 2 family dwelling permit, 200 sq ft or less: 200 USD · 1 & 2 family dwelling permit, 1,001 to 2,000 sq ft: 450 USD · 1 & 2 family dwelling permit, 2,001 to 3,000 sq ft: 500 USD · 1 & 2 family dwelling permit, in excess of 4,000 sq ft: per 50 USD per 1,000 sq ft or fraction · electrical permit per dwelling unit: 55 USD · plumbing permit up to 16 fixtures: 55 USD

  “dwellings: 1 & 2 family - new, additions, alteration and repairs”

• Permit processPublished

  Residential permit application process for unincorporated Hopedale township

  • Submittal requirements stated effective February 1, 2014 in the brochure; the packet sets a 48-hour review target that is not a guarantee.
  • Applications accepted and permits issued 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
  • Requires a 911 mailing address, septic permit or approval, road access permit, and energy compliance (RESCheck) before issuance.

  “applications are accepted and permits issued between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. monday through friday.”

Still unanswered

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

• Inspections — Inspections for new residential construction in unincorporated Hopedale township
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy for a new home in unincorporated Hopedale township
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling floor area in unincorporated Hopedale township
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot area in unincorporated Hopedale township
• Lot coverage — Maximum lot coverage in unincorporated Hopedale 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.