Bolthole Index

Henry County, Illinois

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

Land in unincorporated Kewanee Township, Henry County, Illinois needs a county building permit before construction begins1. Henry County's zoning ordinance covers the township's unincorporated land, with no separate township zoning ordinance found2. Septic and well permits come from the Henry County health department3. Inside the City of Kewanee, the city's own code governs instead2.

At a glance

Building permit
Required from Henry County for unincorporated land1
Zoning
Henry County zoning ordinance (AG-1, R-1 and other county districts); no township ordinance found24
Septic
Henry County health department3
AG-1 / R-1 lot size
43,560 sq ft minimum, 150 ft wide5
Minimum dwelling size
825 sq ft ground-floor living area in AG-1 and R-16
RV living
Only 30 days a year in R-5 campgrounds (special use); no general rule found for other districts7
Owner-builder
Owner may act as contractor, but still needs the permit8
Farm exemption
Farm dwellings and farm structures exempt from zoning while used for agriculture9

Who to call

Building permits

Henry County Zoning & Building Department

Zoning, building permits, subdividing and floodplain management for unincorporated Henry County, including unincorporated Kewanee Township

309-937-3419

307 West Center Street, Cambridge, IL 61238

Codes & inspections

Henry County Building Permit Instructions

The county's published building-permit steps, plot plan rules and inspections

Septic permits

Henry County Health Department (Environmental Health)

Private sewage disposal (septic) and water-supply (well) permits

309-852-0197

4424 US Hwy 34, Kewanee, IL

Roads & driveways

Henry County Highway Department

Driveway access permit information for county roads

309-937-3346

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Does Kewanee Township, Illinois have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, lot size and setbacks?

Unincorporated Kewanee Township is zoned by Henry County, not by the township. The county ordinance covers the unincorporated area and does not cover land inside the City of Kewanee2. The districts are county districts, and dimensions vary by district4.

In the AG-1 agriculture district, lots must be at least 43,560 square feet (one acre) and 150 feet wide5. The R-1 single-family district shares the same row of the bulk table10. Setbacks in AG-1 are 40 feet front, 10 feet side and 40 feet rear11, lot coverage is capped at 20%12, and a dwelling needs at least 825 square feet of ground-floor living area6. Accessory buildings may not exceed 20 feet in height13. The ordinance's table was read from PDF text, so confirm figures with the Zoning & Building Department before drawing plans.

Do you need a building permit in Kewanee Township, and who issues it?

Yes, on unincorporated land. Henry County requires an owner or contractor to obtain a building permit before constructing, enlarging, altering, repairing, moving or demolishing a building1. The Henry County Zoning & Building Department issues it14, and permitted work is subject to inspection by the building official15. The permit application must include a plot plan for new structures16.

An owner can list themself as the contractor, but the owner-builder option does not remove the permit requirement8. Farm buildings are different: Illinois law and the county ordinance exempt land, farm dwellings and farm structures from county zoning while used for agriculture, and a farm means ten contiguous acres or more9. Agricultural buildings are exempt from the building code but must still meet road setbacks and floodplain rules17.

The county takes payment by check only, payable to Henry County18. Inside the City of Kewanee, ask the city instead of the county.

How do septic permits work in Kewanee Township?

Septic and well permits for Kewanee Township come from the Henry County Environmental Health Department, not from the Zoning & Building counter19. The county's permit application tells owners to obtain a Health Department well and septic permit20, and the Health Department must approve the plot plan before the county issues a building permit17. Illinois requires plan approval from the state or the local health authority before construction of a new private sewage system21.

Soil matters here. About 39.1% of soils in Henry County rate as not limited for a conventional drain field, so a site evaluation is likely worth ordering before you close22. We could not confirm the county's septic inspection steps or any off-grid sanitation rules; call the Health Department at the number listed above.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Kewanee Township?

We found no general rule allowing RV living on a vacant lot in unincorporated Kewanee Township. The only RV occupancy rule found covers travel trailers in R-5 summer home district campgrounds, which are a special use limited to 30 days in any calendar year7. Staying beyond 30 days in that setting violates the special use23.

The ordinance does not define tiny homes. A small dwelling still has to meet the minimum ground-floor living area of 825 square feet in AG-1 and R-124. Manufactured homes built to the HUD or Illinois code are allowed in R-1 with a building permit, at least 24 feet wide25; homes not built to those codes are prohibited in every district26. Ask the Zoning & Building Department before buying with an RV or small home in mind.

Building a home in Kewanee Township: the steps, in order

  1. Call the Henry County Zoning & Building Department to confirm your parcel's district and whether it lies in the floodplain1427.
  2. Ask the Environmental Health Department about well and septic requirements and plot plan approval1917.
  3. If you need a driveway, contact the Highway Department about access permits, which must be installed before construction starts2829.
  4. Submit the building permit application with a plot plan and construction documents16.
  5. Build to the approved plans and request inspections15.
  6. Obtain a certificate of occupancy before moving in; the zoning enforcing officer issues it after inspection30.

What stays with Henry County, and what to check before you buy land in Kewanee Township

Everything above for unincorporated land runs through Henry County; see the Henry County page for the wider county picture. Dividing land is regulated by the Illinois Plat Act and the county subdivision ordinance31. A driveway onto a state highway needs a state IDOT permit32.

County-level numbers: farmland averages $10,039 per acre33, the effective property tax rate is 2%34 and the median bill is $2,877 a year35. The nearest city of 100,000 or more is about 26 miles away36.

Watch-outs

  • Inside the City of Kewanee the city's own code applies, so the county permit and zoning answers above are for unincorporated township land only2.
  • Floodplain development is regulated even for agricultural buildings; confirm your parcel's status with the Zoning & Building Department27.
  • We could not confirm permit fees, a septic inspection schedule, tiny-home or accessory-dwelling rules; ask the Zoning & Building Department and the Environmental Health Department1419.

Sources

  1. Henry County International Building Code Information and Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  2. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  3. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  5. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Henry County International Building Code Information and Instructions (2026 county census)
  9. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  11. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  12. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  13. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. Henry County Zoning & Building Department (henrycty.com)
  15. Henry County International Building Code Information and Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  16. Henry County International Building Code Information and Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  17. Henry County Building Permit Instructions (henrycty.com)
  18. Henry County, IL frequently asked questions - Zoning (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. Henry County Health Department (Environmental Health) (henrycty.com)
  20. Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  21. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  23. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  25. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  26. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  27. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  28. Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  29. Henry County Highway Department (henrycty.com)
  30. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  31. Henry County Zoning Ordinance (PDF) (Kewanee Township), quoted and re-checked
  32. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  33. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  34. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  35. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  36. Straight-line distance from the county center to the nearest city of 100,000+ people: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 23, 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 Kewanee Township

Rules another office applies inside Kewanee Township

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

  • InspectionsRequired

    Buildings constructed under a building permit in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL (inspection by the zoning enforcing officer before a certificate of occupancy)

    • The inspection is tied to certificate of occupancy issuance; the ordinance does not describe a separate inspection schedule.
    • Inspections before the 'zoning certificate' stage were not described in the text searched.
    “no certificate of occupancy for a building, or portion thereof, constructed after the effective date of this ordinance, shall be issued until construction has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the zoning enforcing officer to be in conformity with the plans and specifications upon which the zoning certificate and building permit was based.”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    New buildings in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL (issued by the county zoning enforcing officer)

    • A certificate of occupancy is also required before a vacant building is used for any purpose and before a change in use other than permitted-to-permitted (Article XX).
    • A temporary certificate of occupancy may be issued pending the regular certificate (Article XX).
    “no certificate of occupancy for a building, or portion thereof, constructed after the effective date of this ordinance, shall be issued until construction has been completed and the premises inspected and certified by the zoning enforcing officer to be in conformity with the plans and specifications upon which the zoning certificate and building permit was based.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL. Henry County's zoning ordinance covers the unincorporated area of the county; it is not a township ordinance and does not cover land inside the City of Kewanee.

    • Land inside the City of Kewanee is governed by the city's own code, which is a municipal rule and is not recorded here.
    • No Kewanee township zoning ordinance was found; see the township-scope local_zoning claim (unknown).
    “zoning ordinance for the unincorporated areas of henry county, illinois”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts for unincorporated land in Henry County, IL, which includes unincorporated Kewanee township

    • Districts are county districts, not township or city districts.
    • Dimensional values differ by district; see the district-specific claims for ag-1 and r-1.
    “the intent of this ordinance in establishing an agricultural district is to preserve maximum freedom of operation for bona fide agricultural purposes”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Dwellings in the AG-1 agriculture district in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • The table sets ground floor living area per dwelling at 825 square feet for ag-1/r-1; read from PDF text extraction, confirm against the printed table.
    • Manufactured homes in ag-1 have their own minimum living-area rules (see manufactured-home claims).

    minimum ground floor living area per dwelling: >= 825 square feet

    “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Dwellings in the R-1 single family residence district in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
      “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    AG-1 agriculture district lots in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • The bulk table is shared with the R-1 district, so this value is also the R-1 value.
    • Table values were read from PDF text extraction; confirm against the printed table.
    • Header states lot dimensions in feet; 43,560 square feet equals one acre.
    • Ag-1 farm uses are exempt under state law as described in the agricultural exemption claim.

    minimum lot size: >= 43560 square feet · minimum lot width: >= 150 feet

    “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 single family residence district lots in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
      “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    AG-1 agriculture district lots in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • Additional bulk requirement 1 applies to all buildings and structures, including solid fences over two feet high, from public/private streets; the ordinance states a 40-foot setback from township/private roads measured from the common right-of-way/property line (the PDF text reads 'townshp/private roads').
    • Accessory buildings must be at least 10 feet from the nearest wall of the principal building and at least 10 feet from the rear property line (section 7.5).
    • Setbacks were read from PDF text extraction; confirm against the printed table.

    front yard setback: >= 40 feet · side yard setback: >= 10 feet · rear yard setback: >= 40 feet

    “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 single family residence district lots in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
      “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    AG-1 agriculture district lots in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • Maximum lot coverage shown as 20% in the ag-1/r-1 row; read from PDF text extraction, confirm against the printed table.

    maximum lot coverage: <= 20 percent of lot area

    “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — R-1 single family residence district lots in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
      “ag-1, r-1 43,560 150 40 10 40 825 20% m-1 80%”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Accessory buildings and structures in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL (county section 7.5; applies to all zoning districts including ag-1 and r-1)

    • Height is measured from floor of building to roof peak of building.
    • Principal building height limits were not found; see the principal building height claim (unknown).

    maximum accessory building height: <= 20 feet

    “accessory buildings shall not exceed 20 feet in height, measured from floor of building to roof peak of building.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Travel trailers in campgrounds in the R-5 summer home district (special use) in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • Applies only to campgrounds allowed as an R-5 special use; no general RV occupancy rule was found for other districts.
    • Occupancy is limited to 30 days in any calendar year.

    maximum occupancy period: <= 30 days per calendar year (R-5 campground special use only)

    “provided that the occupancy of any of the foregoing shall not be for a period of more than thirty (30) days in any calendar year”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Campgrounds and seasonal recreation structures (tents, travel trailers, camping trailers) in the R-5 summer home district, by special use, in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • Campgrounds are a special use in the R-5 district; seasonal recreation and living purposes.
    • Occupancy of the listed structures may not exceed 30 days in any calendar year; over 30 days is a violation of the special use.

    maximum occupancy period: <= 30 days per calendar year (R-5 campground special use only)

    “campgrounds used for seasonal recreation and living purposes.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes built to the IL code placed in R-1 residential districts (and R-2, R-3, R-5) in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • Requires a building permit; subject to deed restrictions or subdivision covenants.
    • Minimum width 24 feet and minimum living area 825 square feet (section 7.6 bulk regulations) or as set by deed restrictions/subdivision covenants.
    • Ag-1 lots of record before February 14, 1978 or individual R-1 lots outside a platted subdivision also have a separate path under item 2.e of the same section.

    minimum living area: >= 825 square feet · minimum width: >= 24 feet

    “zoned r-1, r-2, r-3 and r-5 residential districts (unless excluded by deed restrictions/ subdivision covenants) with a building permit. minimum width is 24 feet and minimum living area is 825 square feet (section 7.6 bulk regulations) or as per deed restrictions/ subdivision covenants.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Manufactured homes built to the IL code (Illinois Mobile Home and Manufactured Housing Safety Act) placed as farm dwellings in ag-1 districts in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
      “zoned ag-1 agriculture districts as farm dwellings without zoning or building permits.”
    • Prohibited — Manufactured homes not built to HUD code or IL code in any district in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
      “manufactured homes/housing not constructed in compliance to the hud code or il code shall not be permitted to locate in any zoning district in unincorporated henry county.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Septic systems in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL: the Henry County health department (health-district) administers the rule, under Illinois Department of Public Health and Illinois EPA regulations

    • Section 7.11 requires septic tanks and sewage treatment systems to be installed per Henry County health, IDPH and IEPA regulations.
    • Health department contact per county FAQ: 309-852-0197.
    “any well or septic information can be obtained by contacting henry county health department at 309-852-0197.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Land, farm dwellings and farm structures used for agricultural purposes in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL, under Illinois Revised Statutes chapter 34 section 3151 as recited in the county ordinance

    • Exemption applies only while the land and structures are used for agricultural purposes.
    • A 'farm' under the county definition is 10 contiguous acres or more used for agricultural purposes.
    • Agricultural buildings and land uses are not exempt from federal, state or local floodplain regulations.
    • The claimant must show the property and buildings are primarily adapted and used for agricultural purposes.
    • Agricultural buildings must meet minimum setbacks from public/private streets (40 feet from township/private roads, 50 feet from county, state and federal highways).

    farm acreage: >= 10 contiguous acres (definition of farm in county ordinance)

    “farm. an area comprising ten (10) contiguous acres or more used for agricultural purposes.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL

    • Governed by Illinois Plat Act (chapter 109) and the Henry County subdivision ordinance, which was not opened.
    • Platted subdivisions have separate manufactured-home rules in the ordinance.
    “subdividing of land as per illinois revised statutes, chapter 109 plat act and henry county subdivision ordinance.”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Development in the designated Henry County floodplain in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL, including agricultural buildings and land uses

    • Agricultural buildings and land uses are not exempt from federal, state or local floodplain regulations.
    • The separate Henry County floodplain ordinance (listed on the county forms page) was not opened; the permit trigger and map coverage for Kewanee township were not verified.
    “agricultural buildings and land uses are not exempt from complying with any federal, state or local regulations concerning developing, depositing or excavating in or on the designated henry county floodplain.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Building permit process for unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL, through the Henry County zoning and building department (courthouse)

    • Payment is by check only, payable to 'Henry County', mailed to the courthouse c/o zoning & building; online payment is not accepted.
    • Certificate of occupancy follows a completed inspection.
    • Application forms and step-by-step process were not located.
    “zoning & building department can only accept checks as the form of payment.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
  • Building code adopted — Whether a building code is adopted for unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
  • Tiny homes — Tiny home occupancy in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
  • Accessory dwellings — Accessory dwelling units in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
  • Septic permit — Septic permit in unincorporated Kewanee township, Henry County, IL
7 more unanswered
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

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 Kewanee Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Henry County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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