Bolthole Index

Will County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic in Village of Romeoville, Illinois

Village of Romeoville, Illinois requires building permits before construction, alteration, repair, demolition or removal of a building.1 Romeoville applies its own zoning inside village limits; Will County Health Department handles private sewage permits in Will County.23 A small house must meet the applicable district’s dwelling-size requirements, including substantial minimums in the agricultural and single-family residential districts.45

At a glance

Building permits
Required before regulated building work; village Building Department coordinates applications and inspections16
Zoning
Village zoning applies inside Romeoville2
Septic permits
Will County Health Department; soil evaluation before permit issuance37
Minimum lot size
R-1: 20,000 square feet; A-1: 5 acres for each permitted or special use89
Minimum home size
R-1 two-bedroom dwelling: 1,600 square feet; A-1 one-story dwelling: 1,000 square feet on the first floor54
Occupancy
Certificate of Occupancy required before occupying new construction or renovations requiring a permit10
Private wells
Illinois requires a permit before new well construction, modification or abandoned-well sealing11

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Romeoville — Building Department

Village building permit coordination and on-site construction inspections

815-886-5163

1050 West Romeo Road Romeoville, IL 60446

Zoning

Village of Romeoville — Planning and Zoning / Community Development

Village land-development and redevelopment applications, zoning review and pre-development meetings

815.886.7200

1050 West Romeo Road Romeoville, IL 60446

Septic permits

Will County Health Department — Private Sewage Program (Joliet Main Office)

Private sewage system installation oversight and well and septic services in Will County

815-727-8490

501 Ella Avenue Joliet, IL 60433

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 12, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Village of Romeoville, IL?

Village of Romeoville requires a building permit before construction, alteration, repair, demolition or removal of a building or part of a building.1 Romeoville’s Building Department coordinates building permits and on-site inspections for remodeling and new residential, commercial and industrial construction.6

Romeoville has adopted the 2021 International Residential Code, with subsequent amendments and referenced standards, for residential construction.12 Romeoville’s building fee provision refers applicants to the current fee schedule in Chapter 43; ask the Building Department for the charges that apply to your project before budgeting.13

Who handles building permits and zoning in Village of Romeoville?

For building permit applications and construction inspections inside Romeoville, start with the village Building Department’s permit coordinator at 815-886-5163.6 For land development or redevelopment, Romeoville Planning and Zoning is the first point of contact; Community Development takes pre-development meeting requests at 815.886.7200.14

Romeoville applies village zoning inside its limits, while Will County’s zoning ordinance excludes incorporated municipalities with their own zoning ordinances.215 For property outside village limits, use the Will County guide for the county building-permit answer.16 Private sewage oversight remains with Will County Health Department, rather than moving to the village building counter.3

Does Village of Romeoville have zoning, lot sizes and setbacks?

Village of Romeoville has its own zoning code, so the parcel’s zoning district determines which dimensional standards to use.217 In Romeoville’s R-1 Single-Family Residential District, the minimum lot area is 20,000 square feet.8 The R-1 setbacks are 40 feet in front, 15 feet at the side, 40 feet at the corner side and 35 feet at the rear.18

Romeoville’s A-1 Agricultural District requires a separate ground area of at least 5 acres for each permitted or special use.9 The agricultural district also has a dwelling-size requirement: a one-story residential structure needs at least 1,000 square feet on the first floor, while a two-story structure needs at least 720 square feet on the first-floor level.4 Ask village Planning and Zoning to identify the parcel’s district before designing the site.14

How do septic permits work inside Village of Romeoville?

Private sewage permits in Will County, including for a Romeoville property proposing a private system, go through Will County Health Department’s Private Sewage Program.3 A soil evaluation must be completed before a septic permit is issued, and the application fee is non-refundable if the applicant decides not to construct the system.7

Illinois requires plan approval from the state or applicable local authority before construction of a new private sewage system, plus at least 48 hours’ notice before installation, repair or modification work begins.19 Will County Health Department describes inspections of new and repaired wells and septic systems.20 Call the health department’s Joliet office at 815-727-8490 to discuss site evaluation and private sewage services.21

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Village of Romeoville?

We could not confirm authorization to live in an RV on private land inside Romeoville, including while building a home; ask village Planning and Zoning about the proposed address and use before relying on that arrangement.14 We also could not confirm a distinct tiny-home or accessory-dwelling classification in Romeoville; ask Planning and Zoning how the proposed dwelling would be classified.14

Romeoville’s R-1 district requires 1,600 square feet for a two-bedroom dwelling and 1,825 square feet for a three-bedroom dwelling.5 Those district-specific minimums make floor area an early design question for a small permanent home.5 New construction or renovations requiring a permit cannot be occupied until the project passes applicable inspections and Romeoville issues a Certificate of Occupancy.10

Building a home in Village of Romeoville: what are the steps?

  1. Start with Romeoville Planning and Zoning for a land-development proposal and request a pre-development meeting to discuss village codes and the application process.14
  2. Establish the parcel’s zoning district and design around its lot, setback and dwelling-size standards.178185
  3. Complete the land-development approvals applicable to the project, which may include site, landscape and engineering plans, zoning approvals, variances or plats.22
  4. If proposing septic, obtain the soil evaluation and private sewage permit through Will County Health Department before installation.73
  5. Obtain Romeoville building permits before construction; issuance waits for Building Department drawing approval and Village Board approval of applicable land-development applications.23
  6. Finish the work and applicable inspections, then obtain Romeoville’s Certificate of Occupancy before moving into the home.10

What should you check before buying land in Village of Romeoville?

We could not confirm Romeoville’s public-water or public-sewer connection requirement for every new home; ask Community Development to review the proposed utility arrangement for the parcel.14 Illinois requires a permit from IDPH or an approved local health department before constructing or modifying a private well or sealing an abandoned well; ask Will County Health Department which application applies to your property.1121

We could not confirm a general owner-builder permit exemption inside Romeoville; ask the village Building Department about your proposed work.6 Illinois’s qualifying owner-occupant plumbing exemption still requires code compliance and inspection, and does not establish a general building-permit exemption.24 Ask Romeoville Planning and Zoning to identify any floodplain or access approvals needed for the proposed site before purchase.14

Watch-outs

  • Romeoville building permit issuance waits for approved drawings and applicable Village Board land-development approvals, even when building review starts earlier.23
  • Romeoville’s A-1 farming-operation exception concerns the district’s height rule; do not treat that exception as a building-permit waiver.251
  • We could not confirm permission for temporary camping or off-grid sanitation inside Romeoville; ask village Planning and Zoning about camping and Will County Health Department about sanitation.1421

Sources

  1. § 150.25 Requirements (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  2. Chapter 157: Zoning Code (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  3. Wells and Septic Systems | Will County Health Department, quoted and re-checked
  4. § 157.065 Site and structure requirements (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  5. Appendix C: Summary Table and Land Use Table (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  6. Village of Romeoville — Building Department (romeoville.org)
  7. Will County Health Department Board of Health packet — Private Sewage Disposal Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  8. Appendix C: Summary Table and Land Use Table (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  9. § 157.065 Site and structure requirements (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  10. Building Inspections (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  11. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. § 150.03 Adoption of the 2021 International Residential Code (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  13. § 150.32 Fee schedule (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  14. Village of Romeoville — Planning and Zoning / Community Development (romeoville.org)
  15. Will County Code § 155-1.40 Applicability and Jurisdiction, quoted and re-checked
  16. Chapter 150 Will County Building Code, quoted and re-checked
  17. § 157.007 Zoning districts (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  18. Appendix C: Summary Table and Land Use Table (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  19. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  20. Private Well and Septic Program, quoted and re-checked
  21. Will County Health Department — Private Sewage Program (Joliet Main Office) (willcountyhealth.org)
  22. Development Application and Process (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  23. Development Application and Process (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked
  24. HB5913 Enrolled — Illinois Plumbing License Law amendment (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. § 157.065 Site and structure requirements (Village of Romeoville), quoted and re-checked

Written October 12, 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 Village of Romeoville

Village of Romeoville’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Construction, alteration, repair, demolition, or removal of buildings inside Romeoville village.

    • A permit must be obtained before work proceeds.
    • The Village website says most construction requires a permit and failure may result in a fine or stop-work order.
    “Before proceeding with the construction, alteration, repair, demolition or removal of any building or any part thereof within the village, a permit shall first be obtained from the Village Clerk, as herein provided by the owner or their agent of the real estate on which the construction, alteration, repair, demolition or removal of any buildings or any part thereof is to take place.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted

    Residential buildings and structures inside Romeoville village.

    • The adopted 2021 International Residential Code includes subsequent amendments and referenced standards.
    “There is adopted by the village for the purpose of establishing rules and regulations for the construction, alteration, removal, demolition, equipment, use and occupancy, location and maintenance of residential buildings and structures, including permits and penalties, a building code known as the 2021 International Residential Code with all subsequent amendments, and all its referenced standards for residential one- and two-family construction, one copy of which has been and now is filed in the Office of the Village Clerk.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New construction or renovations requiring a permit inside Romeoville village.

    • The project must be completed and pass all applicable inspections before the certificate is issued.
    • No covered project may be occupied before issuance.
    “A Certificate of Occupancy will be issued once a new construction or renovation project is completed and has passed all applicable inspections. No new construction or renovation requiring a permit can be occupied until a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) has been issued.”
  • Local zoningPresent

    Land inside Romeoville village.

    • The Village zoning code applies within the village.
    “For the purpose and provisions herein, the village is organized into 24 districts.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Zoning districts inside Romeoville village.

    • The code identifies 24 districts, including A-1 Agricultural, E-R Estate Residential, R-1 through R-7 residential, and other commercial, manufacturing, airport, conservation, downtown, and university districts.

    number of zoning districts: 24 districts

    “For the purpose and provisions herein, the village is organized into 24 districts.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land-development projects and subdivisions inside Romeoville village.

    • Formal approvals may include a planned unit development plan, site plan, landscape plan, engineering plan, annexation, zoning, variances, and plats depending on the project.
    • Public-hearing and Village Board approval steps may apply.
    “In most cases, a Planned Unit Development Plan, Site Plan, Landscape Plan, and Engineering Plan will need to be approved. Other approvals such as annexation and zoning, annexation agreement, variances, and plats may also be required depending on the nature of the project.”
  • Permit feesPublished

    Romeoville building permits and inspections.

    • The current fee schedule is incorporated by reference to Chapter 43.
    • The Village permit page provides a fee-schedule download.
    “See Chapter 43 for the current fee schedule.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Land-development and building-permit process inside Romeoville village.

    • The Village reviews land-development applications through DRC, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Village Board stages where applicable.
    • No building permit is issued until Building Department drawings and Village Board land-development approvals are complete.
    “Before beginning construction, the applicant must obtain all necessary building permits. The Village will begin the review of the building permits prior to Village Board approval; however, no permits will be issued until the Building Department has approved all drawings and the Village Board has approved all land development applications.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Romeoville

Village of Romeoville does not set these itself; the county, a health district or the state does, and they apply to every address inside its limits.

  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Romeoville village.

    • The table distinguishes one- through five-bedroom minimums; the R-1 row lists N/A for one bedroom, then 1,600, 1,825, 2,000, and 2,200 square feet for two through five bedrooms.

    two-bedroom minimum dwelling size: >= 1600 square feet · three-bedroom minimum dwelling size: >= 1825 square feet · four-bedroom minimum dwelling size: >= 2000 square feet · five-bedroom minimum dwelling size: >= 2200 square feet

    “R-1, Single Family Residential | 20,000 | 125’ | 160’ | 40% | 50% | 50% | 0.60 | 2-1/2 stories or 30 ft | 40’ | 15’ | 40’ | 35’ | N/A | 1,600 | 1,825 | 2,000 | 2,200”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — A-1 Agricultural District inside Romeoville village.
      “Each single-family detached dwelling and any other structure occupied in whole or in part for residential purposes shall contain at least 1,000 square feet of floor area on the first floor if one story, or 720 square feet of floor are on the first floor level if two stories.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    A-1 Agricultural District inside Romeoville village.

    • A separate ground area of at least five acres must be designated and maintained for each permitted or special use.

    minimum lot area: >= 5 acres

    “A separate ground area of not less than five acres shall be designated, provided and continuously maintained for each structure or land containing a permitted or special use.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Romeoville village.
      “R-1, Single Family Residential | 20,000 | 125’ | 160’ | 40% | 50% | 50% | 0.60 | 2-1/2 stories or 30 ft | 40’ | 15’ | 40’ | 35’ | N/A | 1,600 | 1,825 | 2,000 | 2,200”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    R-1 Single-Family Residential District inside Romeoville village.

    • The Appendix C table lists front, side, corner-side, and rear setbacks of 40, 15, 40, and 35 feet respectively.

    front setback: >= 40 feet · side setback: >= 15 feet · corner-side setback: >= 40 feet · rear setback: >= 35 feet

    “R-1, Single Family Residential | 20,000 | 125’ | 160’ | 40% | 50% | 50% | 0.60 | 2-1/2 stories or 30 ft | 40’ | 15’ | 40’ | 35’ | N/A | 1,600 | 1,825 | 2,000 | 2,200”
  • Building heightSpecified

    A-1 Agricultural District inside Romeoville village.

    • Accessory structures have a separate one-story/20-foot limit.
    • A normal farming operation is excepted.

    maximum principal-building height: 2-1/2 stories or 25 feet (Normal farming operation.) · maximum accessory-structure height: 1 story or 20 feet (Normal farming operation.)

    “No principal building or structure shall exceed two and one-half stories or 25 feet in height, and no accessory structure shall exceed one story or 20 feet in height, except as provided for within a normal farming operation.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Normal farming operations in the A-1 Agricultural District inside Romeoville village.

    • The A-1 height rule expressly excepts structures as provided for within a normal farming operation.
    “No principal building or structure shall exceed two and one-half stories or 25 feet in height, and no accessory structure shall exceed one story or 20 feet in height, except as provided for within a normal farming operation.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption for construction permits inside Romeoville village.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land inside Romeoville village.
  • Tiny homes — Tiny-home occupancy inside Romeoville village.
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units inside Romeoville village.
  • Off-grid sanitation — Off-grid sanitation inside Romeoville village.
3 more unanswered
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Short-term rentals

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 Village of Romeoville publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Will County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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