Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Village of Okawville, Illinois

Village of Okawville’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  Residences, pools, sheds, patios, porches, fences, signs and demolition inside Okawville village limits.

  • The village says a permit is needed before work; the village's own statement that permits are required is the rule relied on here.
  • Applies within village limits only; unincorporated Washington County is not covered by this claim.
  • When in doubt, the village says to contact village hall.

  “permits are required for any construction or demolition within village limits. this includes residences, pools, sheds, patios, porches, fences, signs, etc.”

• Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

  Land inside Okawville village limits: the village adopts and administers its own zoning code (Chapter 40).

  • The code text is the village's zoning code of 1973 as hosted by the village; amendments adopted after it were not checked.
  • Permits and uses inside the village are governed by the district regulations in Article II of this code, not by county zoning.

  “these provisions shall be known as the village of okawville zoning code of 1973.”

• Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

  All land inside Okawville village limits, by zoning district.

  • Eight categories are listed in the code: A-1 agricultural, SR-1 and SR-2 one-family residence, MR-1 multi-family residence, CB-1 community business, HB-1 highway business, I-1 industrial, and F-1 flood plain.
  • The zoning map (linked from the village document center as a separate PDF) was not opened; which parcel falls in which district is not established by this record.

  “for the purpose of this code, the village, as shown on the zoning map, is divided into eight (8) categories of zoning as follows: a-1 agricultural district sr-1 one-family residence district sr-2 one-family residence district mr-1 multi-family residence district cb-1 community business district hb-1 highway business district i-1 industrial district f-1 flood plain district”

• Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

  Village building, accessory, sign and related permits in Okawville village.

  • Electrical and plumbing permit fees are not published on the page ('vary'); contact village hall.
  • The fee list is undated; no effective date is stated on the page.
  • Village offers to waive hookup and inspection fees up to $3,000 for the first five new constructions with new water/sewer service (promotional).

  residential building permit fee, up to 2500 sq ft: 200 USD (over 2500 sq ft: $.08 per sq ft) · accessory buildings and additions, under 300 sq ft: 50 USD (over 300 sq ft: $100.00) · fence permit: 25 USD

  “residential building permit up to 2500 sq ft: $200over 2500 sq ft: $.08 sq ft accessory buildings and additions under 300 sq ft: $50.00over 300 sq ft: $100.00 decks and patios $50.00 fences $25.00”

• Permit processPartial

  Obtaining a building or related permit inside Okawville village.

  • Permit application forms (residential building, accessory structure, occupancy, plumbing, electrical, pool, fence, sign, demolition) are downloadable from the village document center and returned to village hall at 304 N Front St.
  • Zoning board meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7:00 pm at village hall unless there is a hearing (hearings at the senior center).

  “when in doubt, contact village hall to obtain a permit.”

Still unanswered

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

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption inside Okawville village.
• Building code adopted — Which building code Okawville village has adopted.
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Okawville village.
• Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size for single-family districts (SR-1, SR-2) and the agricultural district (A-1) inside Okawville village.
• Setbacks — Front, side and rear yard setbacks in SR-1, SR-2 and A-1 inside Okawville village.

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.