Bolthole Index

Tazewell County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Washington, Illinois

Washington, Illinois requires city building permits for structural improvements within city limits.1 Washington administers its own zoning in Tazewell County; private septic construction, alteration or extension requires a Tazewell County Health Department permit.23 Minimum home and lot sizes depend on the city's zoning district.456

At a glance

Building permits
City-issued for structural improvements inside Washington city limits1
Zoning
City zoning; requirements vary by district27
Septic permits
Tazewell County Health Department; required for construction, alteration or extension3
Minimum home size
R-1: 700 square feet of livable ground-floor space; Country Estates: 1,000 square feet excluding basement45
Minimum lot size
R-1 single-family: 6,500 square feet; Agricultural and Country Estates: 2 acres per dwelling869
Owner-installed septic
Homeowner may install or service a system for the homeowner's own personal single-family residence; septic permit still required10

Who to call

Building permits

Washington Building and Zoning

Building permits and project compliance inside Washington city limits

(309) 444-1122

301 Walnut St Washington, IL 61571

Planning & zoning

Washington Planning & Development Department

Local land-use administration, zoning applications and floodplain management

(309) 444-1135

301 Walnut St Washington, IL 61571

Building permits

Washington Building and Zoning — Residential Construction

New-home application documents, fees and inspections

(309) 444-1122

301 Walnut St Washington, IL 61571

Septic permits

Tazewell County Health Department

Permits for constructing, altering or extending private sewage disposal systems in Tazewell County

309-925-5511

[email protected]

21306 IL Route 9 Tremont, IL 61568-9252

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 11, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Washington means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Washington, IL?

Washington issues building permits for all structural improvements to buildings or properties inside city limits.1 Washington has adopted building, residential, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, life-safety and property-maintenance codes, with local amendments.11 The city building permit and inspection process checks compliance with locally adopted codes and regulations.1 City building permits last 6 months and can be renewed if construction continues.1 A new home's building permit application can be signed only by the property owner or an authorized agent.12

Who handles Washington building permits, zoning and permit fees?

Contact Washington Building and Zoning at (309) 444-1122 for city building permits; Washington Planning & Development at (309) 444-1135 administers local land-use ordinances.113 Both offices list City Hall at 301 Walnut St Washington, IL 61571.113 Washington's new-home building permit fee is a $20 filing fee plus $2 per $1,000 of estimated R.S. Means construction value.12 Starting construction without a valid building permit doubles that fee.12 Septic permits remain with Tazewell County Health Department, rather than the city building counter.3

Does Washington have zoning, minimum lot sizes and setbacks?

Washington has city zoning, including R-1, Agricultural and Country Estates districts.7 In Washington's R-1 district, a single-family lot needs at least 6,500 square feet and 65 feet of width at the setback line.8 R-1 front yards generally require 25 feet, with an established-area exception; each side yard needs at least 5 feet and the combined side yards at least 12 feet.14 Agricultural dwellings need at least 2 acres and 200 feet of lot width; Country Estates dwellings need at least 2 acres and 220 feet of width at the setback line.69 Ask Washington Planning & Development to identify the parcel's district before choosing a home footprint.13

How do septic permits work inside Washington?

Private septic construction, alteration or extension inside Washington requires a Tazewell County Health Department permit, valid for 1 year.3 A soil investigation is required before issuance unless the ordinance's pre-site-inspection waiver applies.15 Washington septic applications must show property boundaries, easements, utilities, wells, buildings, driveways, patios, soil-boring locations and a complete disposal-facility plan.16 The health authority may refuse a septic permit when public sewer is available; for a single-family residence, the reasonable-distance threshold is no greater than 300 feet, subject to practical and permitted connection.17 A homeowner may install or service septic for the homeowner's own personal single-family residence, but still needs the required septic permit.10

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Washington?

Washington prohibits public camping on public sidewalks, streets, rights-of-way, parks and other publicly owned property.18 That public-property prohibition does not establish permission to live in an RV on a private Washington lot; ask Washington Planning & Development about the proposed residential use.1813 We could not confirm a separate tiny-home occupancy or accessory-dwelling authorization inside Washington; ask the same department before buying a unit.13 Washington's R-1 residences require at least 700 square feet of livable ground-floor space, while Country Estates residences need at least 1,000 square feet excluding the basement.45

Building a home in Washington: what are the steps?

  1. Ask Washington Planning & Development to identify the zoning district and review the proposed land use.13
  2. Resolve sewer availability with the city and any private-septic proposal with Tazewell County Health Department; an available public sewer can prevent septic approval.1317
  3. Submit a scaled site plan showing boundaries, proposed improvements, driveway and setbacks, complete construction plans, and the residential building permit application to Washington Building and Zoning.12
  4. Obtain the city building permit before construction; Washington doubles the building permit fee for construction begun without a valid building permit.12
  5. Arrange city inspections and the completion inspection before issuance of the certificate of occupancy.12

What stays with Tazewell County, and what should Washington buyers check?

Tazewell County Health Department handles private-septic permits inside Washington; city zoning approval does not replace a septic permit.3 Tazewell County also requires a Health Department permit for water-well construction or repair and water-well pump installation, with water analysis and approval before a new well enters service.19 Washington Planning & Development lists floodplain management among its responsibilities, so bring city-parcel floodplain questions to that department.13 For a parcel outside Washington city limits, use the Tazewell County guide: the county building permit requirements cited there apply to unincorporated land.20

Watch-outs

  • Washington's public-camping prohibition does not answer private-lot RV occupancy; ask Washington Planning & Development before planning an RV residence.1813
  • Public sewer availability can block a Washington private-septic permit even when the proposed home meets city zoning requirements.172
  • We could not confirm Washington's tiny-home occupancy, accessory-dwelling or short-term-rental rules; ask Washington Planning & Development about the specific use.13

Sources

  1. Washington Building and Zoning (ci.washington.il.us)
  2. Sec. 56-78. R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  3. Sewage Disposal (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  4. Sec. 56-78. R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  5. Sec. 56-119. Floor area ratio (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  6. Sec. 56-49. Required lot area (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  7. Sec. 56-78. R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  8. Sec. 56-78. R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  9. Sec. 56-120. Required lot area (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  10. Sewage Disposal (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  11. Sec. 14-2. Construction codes adopted by reference (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  12. Washington Building and Zoning — Residential Construction (ci.washington.il.us)
  13. Washington Planning & Development Department (ci.washington.il.us)
  14. Sec. 56-78. R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  15. Sewage Disposal (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  16. Sewage Disposal (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  17. Sewage Disposal (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  18. Sec. 38-32. Public camping prohibited (Washington), quoted and re-checked
  19. Water Supply, quoted and re-checked
  20. Residential Permitting Fees and Setbacks, quoted and re-checked

Written October 11, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Washington

Washington’s own rules

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    A homeowner installing or servicing a private sewage disposal system serving the homeowner's own personal single-family residence inside Washington city limits.

    • The Tazewell County rule applies to private sewage systems and requires a valid permit.
    • The homeowner exception is limited to the homeowner's own personal single-family residence.
    “A homeowner may install and/or service a private sewage disposal system, which serves his own personal single-family residence.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Buildings and structures inside Washington city limits, including detached one- and two-family dwellings and one-family townhouses as specified in Sec. 14-3.

    • The adopted codes are subject to the insertions, additions, changes, and deletions stated in Sec. 14-2.
    “The International Building Code and Commentary, International Residential Code and Commentary, International Mechanical Code, the National Electrical Code, the Illinois Plumbing Code, the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code, and the International Property Maintenance Code, are adopted by reference in their entirety, excepting therefrom those insertions, additions, changes, and deletions as follows:”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Washington city limits; the city maintains Chapter 56, Zoning, including R-1, agricultural, country estate, and other districts.

    “Sec. 56-78. - R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Washington city zoning districts, including R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential, Agricultural, and Country Estates districts.

    • District-specific requirements vary by use and district.
    • The reviewed code sections are not a complete district schedule.
    “Sec. 56-78. - R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family dwellings in the R-1 One- and Two-Family Residential District.

    • R-1 requires at least 700 square feet of livable floor space on the ground floor.
    • The residence must have a minimum height of nine feet above front grade level for the entire width of the structure.
    • Split-level ground floor includes floors at entry level and higher.

    minimum livable ground-floor area: >= 700 square feet (split-level houses measure entry level and higher floors as ground floor)

    “Any building used as a residence shall have a minimum height of nine feet above front grade level for the entire width of the structure and shall contain on the ground floor at least 700 square feet of livable floor space.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Residences in the Country Estates District.
      “Any building used as a residence shall have a minimum height of nine feet above the front grade level and shall contain at least 1,000 square feet of livable area, excluding the basement.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Dwellings in the Agricultural District.

    • The lot must also have at least 200 feet of width.

    minimum lot area: >= 2 acres (each dwelling) · minimum lot width: >= 200 feet

    “Each dwelling shall be located on a lot having an area of not less than two acres and lot width of not less than 200 feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Single-family dwellings in the R-1 district.
      “Single-family dwellings shall be constructed on a lot no less than 6,500 square feet and have a lot width at the setback line no less than 65 feet.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Dwellings in the Country Estates District.
      “Each dwelling shall be located on a lot having an area of not less than two acres and a width of not less than 220 feet at the setback line.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family dwellings in the R-1 district.

    • Front-yard exceptions apply in established areas with existing buildings having front yards under 25 feet.
    • Corner lots have a front yard on each street side, subject to the stated buildable-width rule.
    • Side yards must each be at least five feet and total at least 12 feet.
    • Rear yard is at least 20 feet or 20 percent of lot depth, whichever is greater, but no more than 50 feet.
    • Driveways must be at least five feet from each side yard.

    front yard: >= 25 feet (established-area exception stated in Sec. 56-78(d)(1)) · side yard each: >= 5 feet · combined side yards: >= 12 feet · rear yard: 20 feet or 20% of lot depth (not to exceed 50 feet)

    “Front yard: not less than 25 feet unless the dwelling unit is constructed in an established area on one side of the street between two intersecting streets which is improved with buildings that have observed a front yard depth of less than 25 feet.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Dwellings in the Agricultural District.
      “Front yard: not less than 80 feet from the center of the road or 50 feet from the right-of-way line, whichever is greater. Where a lot is located at the intersection of two or more streets there shall be a front yard on each street side of the lot.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Dwellings in the Country Estates District.
      “Front yard shall be not less than 80 feet from the right-of-way line or 110 feet from the street centerline, when no right-of-way line exists. Where the lot is located at the intersection of two or more streets, there shall be a front yard on each side of the lot.”
  • Lot coverageDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots in the R-1 district.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 40 percent

    “Coverage of any lot shall not exceed 40 percent.”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Buildings in the R-1 district.

    • Accessory-structure provisions may differ.
    • The lower of the story limit or 35-foot limit applies.

    maximum height: <= 35 feet (or three stories above ground level, whichever is less)

    “Except as otherwise provided with respect to accessory structures, no building shall be over three stories above ground level or a maximum of 35 feet above ground level, whichever is less.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Buildings in the Agricultural District.
      “No building shall be over three stories or a maximum of 35 feet.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Public camping and overnight vehicle camping on public or city-maintained property inside Washington city limits.

    • The prohibition covers public sidewalks, streets, alleys, lanes, rights-of-way, parks, benches, publicly owned property, bridges, viaducts, entrances to property, city-owned or maintained real property, and overnight vehicle parking for sleeping or public camping.
    • A vehicle parked for two consecutive hours between midnight and 6:00 a.m. for public camping is treated as a violation without permission from the city council or mayor.

    violation threshold: 2 consecutive hours (between midnight and 6:00 a.m.; permission from city council or mayor excepted)

    “No person may sleep, nor otherwise engage in public camping, on a public sidewalk, street, alley, lane, other public right-of-way, park, bench, or any other publicly-owned property, nor on or under any bridge or viaduct, at any time.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, or extension of private sewage disposal systems inside Washington city limits.

    • Permit is issued by the Health Department.
    • Permit is valid for one year from issuance.
    • A soil investigation is required before issuance, subject to the pre-site-inspection waiver stated in the ordinance.
    • Routine cleaning, replacing a septic tank cover, baffles or riser, or rodding inlets and outlets does not require a permit.

    permit validity: 1 year · application decision period: 15 days

    “It shall be unlawful for any person to construct, alter, or extend private sewage disposal systems within Tazewell County unless he holds a valid permit issued by the Health Department stating the name of such person for which the specific construction, alteration, or extension is proposed. This permit shall be valid for a period of one year from the date of issue.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Private sewage disposal systems used for sanitation inside Washington city limits.

    • A Health Department permit is required for construction, alteration, or extension.
    • The Health Department may refuse a permit when public or municipal sewer service is available.
    • A soil investigation is required before permit issuance except where the stated pre-site-inspection waiver applies.
    “A soil investigation must be performed prior to the issuance of a permit. These tests shall be performed according to the provisions of the Illinois Department of Public Health Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code adopted hereinafter by reference.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction, modification, or sealing of a closed-loop well system inside Washington city limits.

    • The Tazewell County closed-loop-well ordinance applies unless the municipality has its own applicable process.
    • The permit application must be in writing and signed by the closed-loop-well contractor.
    • The permit is void within one year after issuance.

    permit fee for first 10 boreholes: 100 USD ($10 for each additional borehole) · permit validity: 1 year

    “No closed loop well system shall be constructed or modified in Tazewell County, except in accordance with these regulations, and it shall be unlawful to proceed with the construction or modification or sealing of a closed loop well system without first obtaining a permit from the Department.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupSewer (with conditions)

    A private sewage disposal system inside Washington city limits when a public or municipal sewer is available.

    • A public sewer is deemed available when a line adjoins or abuts the premises, or when the improvement is within a reasonable distance and connection is practical and permitted.
    • Reasonable distance is not greater than 300 feet for a single-family residence and 1,320 feet for a commercial establishment, subdivision, or multifamily dwelling.
    • The county health authority may refuse a septic permit when public or municipal sewage is available.

    reasonable distance for single-family residence: <= 300 feet · reasonable distance for commercial establishment, subdivision, or multifamily dwelling: <= 1320 feet

    “The Board of Health or its authorized representative may refuse to grant a permit for the construction or repair of a private sewage disposal system where public or municipal sewage systems are available.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    New subdivisions, manufactured-home parks, travel-trailer parks, annexation agreements, planned-unit developments, and additions to manufactured-home parks or subdivisions in floodplain areas inside Washington city limits.

    • Proposals must meet the requirements of Secs. 56-328 and 56-329.
    • The proposal must include the base flood elevation and floodplain boundary, floodway boundary when applicable, and a signed professional-engineer statement regarding drainage changes.
    “New subdivisions, manufactured home parks, travel trailer parks, annexation agreements, planned unit developments and additions to manufactured home parks and subdivisions shall meet the requirements of sections 56-328 and 56-329.”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Driveways serving R-1 residential lots inside Washington city limits.

    • The city code regulates driveway placement relative to side yards; this claim does not establish a separate driveway-access permit requirement.

    side-yard separation: >= 5 feet

    “All driveways must be set back at least five feet from each side yard.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal permit applications inside Washington city limits.

    • Applications are made to the Board of Health or its authorized representative.
    • Applications must include property boundaries, easements, utilities, wells, buildings, driveways, patios, soil-boring locations, and a complete disposal-facility plan.
    • The Health Department must act within 15 days of receipt.
    • A soil investigation is required before permit issuance unless the stated pre-site-inspection waiver applies.

    application decision period: 15 days · permit validity: 1 year

    “All applications for permits granted under the provision of this ordinance shall be made to the Board of Health or its duly authorized representative. Sufficient data shall be included to allow review and to determine whether the proposed application for permit meets the requirements of this ordinance.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Washington city limits.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Washington city limits.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals inside Washington city 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.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Washington publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Tazewell County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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