Bolthole Index

Washington County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Washington County, Illinois

56Index Score / 100
#60 of 102 in Illinois

Washington County, Illinois requires a building permit for all construction, including agricultural buildings1. Before construction, the applicant must obtain a Certificate of Zoning Compliance from the county Zoning Administrator2. Private sewage systems go through the Washington County Health Department as a local agent of the Illinois Department of Public Health3.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for all construction, including agricultural buildings1
Zoning
County zoning applies; requirements vary by district and use45
Permit fees
Published; qualifying agricultural buildings are fee-exempt but still need a permit67
Septic
Plan approval is required through the Health Department or applicable state authority38
Private well
Permit required before construction, modification or sealing9
RV or tiny-home living
County occupancy rules were not confirmed; ask the Zoning Office10
Owner-builder exemption
Unconfirmed; no permit exemption was found11

Who to call

Zoning

Washington County Zoning Office

Building permits and county zoning administration

(618) 327-4800 (ext. 345)

125 W. St. Louis St. Nashville, IL 62263

Health department

Washington County Health Department

Environmental health and local private sewage system permitting

(618) 327-3644

[email protected]

177 S. Washington St. Nashville, IL 62263

Roads & driveways

Washington County Highway Department

County roads and rights-of-way; ask whether a county-road entrance needs approval

(618) 327-4800 (ext. 350)

1243 W. Adams St. Nashville, IL 62263

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Washington County, Illinois?

Yes. Washington County requires a building permit for all construction, including agricultural buildings1. Agricultural structures that satisfy the county code's agricultural definition carry no filing fee, but the fee exemption is not a permit exemption7. The published schedule also lists no fee for structures under 150 square feet and a $100 fee for structures at or above 150 square feet6. Before construction begins, the applicant must obtain a Certificate of Zoning Compliance from the Zoning Administrator2. Illinois does not issue the local permit for privately funded construction; that responsibility belongs to the applicable local government12. Incorporated municipalities may administer their own permits, so confirm the authority for an in-town parcel before applying1.

Who handles building permits in Washington County, Illinois?

The Washington County Zoning Office handles county building permits and zoning administration. The office is at 125 W. St. Louis St. in Nashville, can be reached at (618) 327-4800 extension 345, and is open weekdays from 8am to 4pm13. The application may be filed by the owner or an authorized agent and must include a legal description, an E-911 address or parcel number, and a measured site plan2. If a proposal does not comply, the applicant may seek an interpretation, variance, map amendment, or special-use permit; complete, compliant applications are generally issued within a few days2. We could not confirm a building-inspection schedule, an adopted building-code edition, or a certificate-of-occupancy process; ask the Zoning Office about those items.

Does Washington County, Illinois have zoning?

Yes. Washington County administers county zoning through a Zoning Administrator and Zoning Board of Appeals, and the ordinance applies district-specific and use-specific controls4. A permit application asks for the parcel's zoning classification because standards vary by district and proposed use5. Illinois county zoning law allows building lines, setbacks, and height limits to be set locally, rather than supplying one statewide residential number1415. We could not confirm a general countywide minimum lot size, minimum dwelling size, residential setback, height cap, or lot-coverage limit. Ask the Zoning Office to identify the parcel's district and current standards before selecting a house plan, dividing land, or locating an accessory structure. Municipal rules may differ for land inside a city or village1.

How do septic and well permits work in Washington County?

The Washington County Health Department acts as a local agent for private sewage permits3. Illinois requires plan approval from the state or applicable local authority before a new private sewage system is built, plus at least 48 hours' notice before installation or modification begins8. Replacing a tank, adding or removing a major component, or changing at least 25% of an absorption field is treated as construction of a new system8. Only 3.2% of county soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation an early contingency16. A private well also needs a permit before construction, modification, or sealing9. Eligible surface-discharging sewage systems face additional Illinois EPA permit, inspection, monitoring, and reporting requirements1718.

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

We could not confirm a Washington County rule allowing or prohibiting long-term RV occupancy, temporary camping on private land, or tiny-home occupancy. Ask the Washington County Zoning Office about the parcel's district, proposed duration, and utility arrangement before buying or moving a unit. Illinois campground licensing covers qualifying campgrounds and recreational-vehicle sites, but it does not answer whether one household may occupy an RV on its own parcel19. A tiny home used as a dwelling still encounters the county's rule requiring a permit for all construction and applicable zoning controls15. A manufactured home must be installed by an Illinois-licensed installer or by the homeowner according to manufacturer instructions, while local zoning, building, floodplain, and utility requirements may still apply20.

Building a home in Washington County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask the Washington County Zoning Office to identify the parcel's jurisdiction, zoning district, setbacks, allowed use, and any variance or special-use need135.
  1. Arrange the sewage site review with the Health Department before fixing the house location; plan approval is required before construction218.
  1. If the property needs a private well, obtain the required well permit before work begins9.
  1. Submit the zoning-compliance application with the legal description, E-911 address or parcel number, and measured site plan2.
  1. Resolve road access with the Highway Department for a county road, or obtain an IDOT permit before work in a state-road right-of-way2223.
  1. Ask the Zoning Office which inspections and final approvals apply, because the county sources do not confirm that schedule.

What should you check before buying land in Washington County?

Start with buildability, not the listing description. Confirm the parcel's jurisdiction and zoning district, then obtain written answers on the intended dwelling, setbacks, access, and any parcel division5. Test the proposed sewage area early: only 3.2% of Washington County soils are rated without severe limits for conventional drain fields16. The terrain is broadly workable, with 95.2% of land at a slope of 15% or less, but that does not replace a site-specific survey or drainage review24. Check whether floodway authorization is needed; regulated rural floodways generally include streams draining at least 10 square miles25. The effective property-tax rate is 1.8%, with a median annual bill of $2,7662627. Farmland averages $8,068 per acre, a county benchmark rather than a parcel appraisal28.

Watch-outs

  • Agricultural buildings require a Washington County permit even when the qualifying agricultural structure owes no filing fee17.
  • Washington County-specific rules for RV occupancy, tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, and general residential setbacks remain unconfirmed; ask the Zoning Office about the parcel and proposed use10.
  • A county-road driveway rule was not confirmed; ask the Highway Department before altering a county right-of-way, while state-road work requires an IDOT permit2223.

Sources

  1. Zoning | Washington County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  2. Washington County Application for Certificate of Zoning Compliance, quoted and re-checked
  3. Washington County IL - Health Department (2026 county census)
  4. Zoning | Washington County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  5. Washington County Illinois – Revised Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  6. Washington County Illinois – Revised Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  7. Zoning | Washington County, Illinois, quoted and re-checked
  8. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Zoning | Washington County, Illinois (2026 county census)
  11. (2026 county census)
  12. Illinois Codes FAQ (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  13. Washington County Zoning Office (washingtonco.illinois.gov)
  14. 55 ILCS 5/5-12001 — Authority to regulate and restrict location and use of structures (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  15. 55 ILCS 5/5-12001 — Authority to regulate and restrict location and use of structures (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  16. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  17. Illinois Surface Discharge Permit (ILG62), quoted and re-checked
  18. Illinois Surface Discharge Permit (ILG62), quoted and re-checked
  19. Youth Camps and Campgrounds (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Manufactured & Modular Homes/Mobile Structures (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. Washington County Health Department (washingtonco.illinois.gov)
  22. Washington County Highway Department (washingtonco.illinois.gov)
  23. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Permit Program (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  27. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 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.

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County locator

Washington County in Illinois

56
County map
Washington County highlighted among the Illinois counties · colored by Index score

How Washington County scores

Seclusion41100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency61100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability51100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost60100% ev.

Evidence strength: 98%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$168kTypical home
1.8%Property tax
$8,068Land / acre
44.2"Annual rain
2% of yrsSevere drought
11.3 / yr (+10.1)Mid-century 100°F days
16.2 daysMid-century dry spell
2.04" (+8.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.89×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,729Home insurance / yr
3.2% / yrInsurance growth
0.76%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
26,711People within 30 min
3,696,510People within 2 hr
27,032Radius comparison (15 mi)
24.1People / sq mi
0%Federal land
95.2%Land at 15% slope or less
3.2%Septic soil without severe limits
11,435 acWorkable land screen
15.9%Wooded land
62.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
55.7°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Washington County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Washington County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction in Washington County administered through County Zoning.

    • The county page expressly includes agricultural buildings.
    • The official fee schedule separately identifies agricultural structures as fee-exempt; that fee exemption does not negate the county page's stated permit requirement.
    “ALL CONSTRUCTION IN WASHINGTON COUNTY REQUIRES A BUILDING PERMIT INCLUDING AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS!”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction in Washington County, including agricultural buildings.
      “ALL CONSTRUCTION IN WASHINGTON COUNTY REQUIRES A BUILDING PERMIT INCLUDING AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS!”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning administration and zoning compliance requirements in Washington County.

    • The county zoning page identifies a County Zoning Administrator and County Zoning Board of Appeals.
    • The ordinance contains district-specific and use-specific controls.
    “ALL CONSTRUCTION IN WASHINGTON COUNTY REQUIRES A BUILDING PERMIT INCLUDING AGRICULTURAL BUILDINGS!”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning districts and district-based controls under the Revised Zoning Ordinance.

    • The permit application requires the zoning district classification and asks the applicant to identify the zoning district.
    • Specific controls may vary by district and use.
    “7-13.3 SIGNS IN THE COMMERCIAL “C” AND INDUSTRIAL “I” DISTRICTS”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    County filing fees for buildings or structures used for agricultural purposes as defined by Section 4-13 of the Washington County Zoning Code.

    • The fee schedule labels the agricultural treatment “Ag exempt” and sets the filing fee at $0.00.
    • The county zoning page separately states that all construction, including agricultural buildings, requires a building permit.

    filing fee: 0 USD (Agricultural purposes as defined by Section 4-13 of the Washington County Zoning Code)

    “Buildings or structures to be used for agricultural purposes as defined by Section 4-13 of the Washington County Zoning Code (Ag exempt) No Fee ($0.00)”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Buildings or structures used for agricultural purposes as defined by Section 4-13 of the Washington County Zoning Code.
      “Buildings or structures to be used for agricultural purposes as defined by Section 4-13 of the Washington County Zoning Code (Ag exempt) No Fee ($0.00)”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning-compliance and building filing fees listed in the Revised Zoning Ordinance.

    • Zoning Certificate of Compliance: $100.00.
    • Special Use Permit: $100.00 plus $50.00 publication cost.
    • Zoning Map Amendment, Appeal, and Variance: $100.00 plus $50.00 publication cost.
    • Agricultural structures qualifying under Section 4-13: $0.00.
    • Structures under 150 square feet: $0.00; structures 150 square feet and above: $100.00.
    • Wind and solar farm fee: $7,250.00 per MW in Attachment B; Attachment A separately lists Wind & Solar Farms at $5,000.00 per MW up to $250,000.00, so the applicable schedule should be confirmed for the particular filing.

    Zoning Certificate of Compliance: 100 USD · Special Use Permit: 100 USD (plus $50.00 publication cost) · structures 150 square feet and above: 100 USD

    “Zoning Certificate of Compliance $100.00 $0.00”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County zoning-compliance permit process before construction.

    • A Certificate of Zoning Compliance must be obtained before construction begins.
    • The application must be made by the applicant or duly authorized agent with owner permission if the applicant is not the owner.
    • A legal description, E-911 address or parcel number, and site plan with measurements must be included.
    • If the proposal does not comply, the applicant may request a Zoning Board of Appeals interpretation, variance, zoning amendment, or special-use permit.
    • All requested information must be provided before permits are issued.
    • If zoning requirements are met, the permit will be issued within a few days.
    “Before beginning any construction, a Certificate of Zoning Compliance must be obtained from the Zoning Administrator.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic

Illinois rules that apply here

  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Building-code requirements statewide in Illinois, including residential and commercial construction subject to the Capital Development Board Act baseline requirements.

    • Effective 2025-01-01, Illinois requires statewide baseline building-code requirements.
    • Local governments may adopt building codes, but they are not required to adopt codes; jurisdictions that do not adopt a code are treated as non-building-code jurisdictions and must follow the applicable state-law baseline requirements.
    • For jurisdictions with adopted codes, local codes must regulate structural design at least as stringently as the applicable IRC, IBC, or IEBC baseline.
    • Commercial buildings in non-building-code jurisdictions and state-funded buildings are subject to the state-listed codes and qualified-inspection requirements.
    • Residential requirements differ depending on whether the jurisdiction has adopted a compliant building code and whether the home purchaser and builder agree to an alternative code.

    statewide baseline effective date: 2025-01-01 · local code structural minimum for residential buildings: IRC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for commercial new buildings: IBC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for existing commercial buildings: IEBC minimum structural requirements

    “The State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide building codes effective 1/1/2025. [...] Commercial buildings in jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code AND state funded buildings. [...] Starting 1/1/25 local codes must regulate the structural design in a manner that is at least as stringent as the IBC© for new buildings or IEBC© for existing buildings. [...] Residential buildings in jurisdictions that have not adopted a building code where agreed to by the home purchaser and home builder. [...] Residential buildings in jurisdictions that have adopted a building code. [...] Starting 1/1/25 local codes must regulate the structural design in a manner that is at least as stringent as the IRC©.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Adopted — Statewide baseline building-code requirements for residential construction in Illinois, including jurisdictions with and without locally adopted building codes.
      “Please be advised that the State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide baseline building codes effective 1/1/2025. Locally adopted building codes must comply with the requirements of the Act.”
  • InspectionsLimited

    Privately funded construction statewide in Illinois, as to inspections performed by the State rather than by a local authority having jurisdiction.

    • The Illinois Capital Development Board does not perform building-code inspections for privately funded construction.
    • If inspections are required, they are addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
    • A local municipality or county may be a non-building-code jurisdiction, in which case applicable state baseline requirements and inspection-certification provisions may apply.
    “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required — Building-code-compliance inspections performed by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
      “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
  • Certificate of occupancyLimited

    Occupancy permits or certificates for privately funded construction in Illinois.

    • The State does not issue occupancy permits for privately funded construction.
    • If an occupancy permit is required, it is addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
    “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required — Issuance of occupancy permits or certificates by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
      “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    County zoning regulations for building or setback lines outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.

    • The actual setback distances are established by applicable county zoning districts or other local ordinances.
    • Agricultural buildings may be required to conform to building or setback lines.
    “to establish building or setback lines”
  • Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)

    County zoning districts outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.

    • The applicable county zoning ordinance determines the actual height limit by district or use.
    • No single statewide height measurement was identified.
    “including height of buildings and structures”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Occupancy of manufactured homes as dwellings, including occupancy in manufactured home communities regulated by IDPH.

    • Manufactured home communities with 5 or more sites must be licensed by IDPH, except communities located in home rule units.
    • IDPH annually inspects licensed communities for renewal, including water, sewage disposal, electrical systems, lighting, roads, spacing of homes, and garbage disposal.
    • Manufactured homes moved since January 1, 1980 must be secured using equipment meeting IDPH standards.
    • Effective December 31, 2001, manufactured homes must be installed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or the homeowner and installed according to manufacturer instructions; if unavailable, the IDPH Manufactured Home Installation Code applies.
    • Local zoning, building, floodplain, and utility requirements may also apply.

    manufactured home community license threshold: >= 5 sites (Communities located in home rule units are excepted from this IDPH licensing statement.) · moved-home tiedown requirement effective date: >= 1980-01-01 · installation requirement effective date: >= 2001-12-31

    “designed and situated so as to permit its occupancy as a dwelling place for one or more persons”
  • Who permits septicState (with conditions)

    Private sewage disposal systems serving property in Washington County, subject to Illinois jurisdiction.

    • Local health agencies may review construction plans under local ordinance or as agents of IDPH.
    • Surface-discharging systems may also require Illinois EPA authorization.

    surface discharge threshold: <= 1500 gallons per day (treated effluent discharged to the ground surface)

    “The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Mixed — Installation and plan approval for private sewage disposal systems statewide in Illinois.
      “There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Construction of a new private sewage disposal system statewide, including systems where a septic tank is replaced, a major component is added or removed, or the absorption field changes by at least 25 percent.

    • Plan approval must be obtained from IDPH or the applicable local authority before construction begins.
    • Persons constructing, installing, repairing, or modifying the system must notify the Department or local authority at least 48 hours before work begins.
    • The rule requires submission of plans, site and system information, bedroom count or design volume, soil or percolation information, owner information, and applicant signature.

    notice before commencement: >= 48 hours · absorption-field change threshold: >= 25 percent (The rule treats increasing the field by 25% or more, or removing and replacing 25% or more, as a new system.)

    “Plan approval shall be obtained from the Department or local authority prior to beginning any construction of a new private sewage disposal system.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — New and replacement surface-discharging private sewage systems in Washington County.
      “Dischargers who are eligible for coverage under the final general permit will be permitted to discharge pollutants from new and replacement surface discharging private sewage disposal systems to waters of the United States in accordance with the terms and conditions of the general permit.”
  • Septic inspectionLimited

    New and replacement surface-discharging private sewage disposal systems covered by Illinois EPA general NPDES Permit ILG62.

    • Coverage under the general permit is limited to eligible dischargers.
    • Systems not eligible for general-permit coverage may require an individual NPDES permit.
    • Periodic inspection, monitoring, and reporting are required under the permit.
    “The permit sets discharge limits and requires periodic inspection, monitoring and reporting.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Surface-discharging private sewage systems covered by Illinois EPA Permit ILG62.
      “The permit sets discharge limits and requires periodic inspection, monitoring and reporting.”
  • Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)

    Off-grid disposal of human wastes through privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets, and compost toilets statewide in Illinois.

    • Other domestic wastes must be disposed of in a conventional private sewage disposal system.
    • Compost toilets may also be used for other organic domestic wastes.
    • Privies have construction, capacity, venting, maintenance, and abandonment requirements.
    • A privy pit must have a minimum capacity of 50 cubic feet per seat.
    • A privy must be pumped when filled to within 18 inches of the bottom of the riser.
    • Vault privies are required where groundwater or limestone formations are within 4 feet of the bottom of the pit.
    • Recirculating toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41 and residuals must go to an approved public or private sewage disposal system.
    • Incinerator and compost toilets have separate maintenance and disposal requirements; compost toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41.

    privy pit minimum capacity: >= 50 cubic feet per seat · privy pumping trigger: <= 18 inches from bottom of riser (Pump when filled to within this distance.) · vault-privy groundwater or limestone separation: < 4 feet from bottom of pit (Watertight, non-metal vaults are required where the condition applies.)

    “Privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets and compost toilets are approved for private sewage disposal of human wastes.”
  • Well permitRequired

    Construction of a new water well, modification of an existing water well, or sealing of an abandoned water well in Illinois.

    • A permit must be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health or an approved local health department before work begins.
    • The application must use Department or approved local health department forms and include a plan and drawing of the proposed construction.
    • The plan must include the lot size, slope, property lines, distances to septic tanks, abandoned wells, property lines, seepage fields, sewers, and other contamination sources; driller license number and name; estimated daily pumping capacity if greater than 100,000 gallons per day; well location; owner name and address; well type; estimated depth; well-use type; and proposed aquifer.
    • The permit is void if construction has not commenced within one year after issuance.
    • The permit fee for constructing, deepening, modifying, or sealing a water well may not exceed $100.
    • The Department will deny a permit request when available information indicates groundwater contamination exceeds Class I groundwater standards, subject to the treatment approval provision in subsection (f)(2).
    • The permittee must notify the Department, approved local health department, or approved unit of local government by telephone or in writing at least two days before work begins.

    maximum water well permit fee: <= 100 USD · permit commencement deadline: 1 year after issuance (Permit is void if construction has not commenced within that period.) · pre-work notification: >= 2 days (Notification may be by telephone or in writing.)

    “A permit to construct a new water well, modify an existing water well or seal an abandoned water well shall be obtained from the Department or approved local health department prior to start of work.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction, modification, or sealing of private water wells in Washington County.
      “To ensure the safety of these water supplies, the IDPH and local health departments review water well installation plans, issue permits for new well construction, and inspect wells.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Work within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state-maintained roadway, including access-driveway requests to State highways.

    • A permit must be obtained before work begins.
    • Requirements may vary by IDOT district; the applicant must contact the district office for specific requirements.
    • IDOT's access-driveway handbook guides what is allowable for highway access requests.
    “Per 605 ILCS 5/4 209, IDOT requires a permit when working within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state maintained roadway. A permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work and a copy of the approved permit must be at the worksite at all times.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction activities in regulated Illinois floodways and, where a floodway has not been delineated, generally work anywhere in the floodplain.

    • For downstate streams, IDNR Division permitting applies to floodways of streams draining at least one square mile in urban areas or ten square miles in rural areas.
    • In northeastern Illinois, Part 3708 applies to identified floodways in Cook County excluding Chicago, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
    • Some minor activities are automatically authorized by statewide or regional permits if their terms and conditions are met.
    • For State-owned property, Part 3710 requires a permit for all development activity in FEMA-mapped floodplains.

    urban stream drainage area threshold: >= 1 square mile (regulated floodways under Part 3700) · rural stream drainage area threshold: >= 10 square miles (regulated floodways under Part 3700)

    “All construction activities in the floodways of streams (the channel and the adjacent portion of the floodplain that is needed to safely convey and store flood waters) in urban areas where the stream drainage area is one square mile or more or in rural areas where the stream drainage area is ten square miles or more must be permitted by the Division prior to construction.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals in Illinois where at least one room is rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and accommodations are reserved in advance, when the hosting platform meets the statutory definition of a re-renter.

    • Beginning July 1, 2025, qualifying hosting platforms are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.
    • The source establishes tax and registration obligations, not statewide land-use permission; local zoning and licensing may separately apply.

    rental period: < 30 consecutive days

    “Beginning July 1, 2025, hosting platforms for short-term rentals that meet the definition of “re-renter” are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.”
  • Campground & park staysAllowed (with conditions)

    Overnight camping in Illinois campgrounds subject to the Campground Licensing and Recreational Area Act.

    • IDPH annually inspects and licenses campgrounds in Illinois.
    • The state campground definition includes camping and temporary parking of recreational vehicles.
    • Campgrounds within home rule units of government are exempt from the state campground licensing requirement.
    • Recreational areas without overnight camping, such as highway rest stops and picnicking areas, are subject to the rules but are not licensed or routinely inspected.

    minimum persons for statutory campground threshold: >= 10 persons · minimum camping duration for statutory campground threshold: >= 6 camping days per calendar year

    ““Camping Day” means any 24 hour period or portion thereof during which the participants remain overnight at the site.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Illinois counties adopting and enforcing building codes and issuing building permits for residential construction in unincorporated areas, subject to the statewide baseline framework.

    • A municipality or county is not required to adopt a building code.
    • A county that does not adopt a building code is treated as a non-building-code jurisdiction, and section 10.09-1 of the Capital Development Board Act applies.
    • A county that adopts a building code must comply with section 10.18 of the Capital Development Board Act.
    • Locally adopted codes must regulate residential structural design at least as stringently as the baseline International Residential Code.
    • For privately funded projects, the local code official is the authority having jurisdiction; the State does not issue private-project building permits, perform plan reviews, or perform inspections.
    “A municipality or county is not required to adopt building codes. If they do NOT adopt a building code then they are considered a non-building code jurisdiction and section 10.09-1 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105) applies. If they do adopt a building code(s) then it must comply with section 10.18 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105).”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemptions from county building or zoning permits.
  • Local zoning — Aggregate local zoning across Washington County municipalities and unincorporated areas.
  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size requirements in Washington County.
  • Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size requirements in Washington County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage requirements in Washington County.
6 more unanswered
  • Living in an RV
  • Camping on your land
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Subdividing land

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.

Living off-grid in Washington County, Illinois

Is Washington County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Washington County scores 56/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: workable self-sufficiency basics (44.2″/yr rainfall) and higher long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: about 26,711 people within a 30-minute drive.

Do you need a building permit in Washington County, Illinois?

Washington County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Washington County Health Department, Environmental Health (agent of Illinois DPH). These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

How much does land cost in Washington County, Illinois?

Land in Washington County runs about $8,068 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Washington County?

Washington County gets about 44.2" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2% of years.

How remote is Washington County?

A representative private-land location has about 26,711 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,696,510 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

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

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How Washington compares in Illinois

Compare side-by-side →See all 102 Illinois counties ranked →