Bolthole Index

Kendall County, Illinois

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

30Index Score / 100
#99 of 102 in Illinois

Unincorporated Kendall County, Illinois requires building permits for new construction through Planning, Building and Zoning (PBZ), which also issues building permits in Millbrook and Plattville1. County zoning applies to unincorporated land; municipal zoning areas have separate rules2. The Kendall County Health Department handles septic permits in unsewered parts of the county and well permits for construction, repair, capping or sealing34.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new construction in unincorporated Kendall County5
Zoning
Rules vary across county and municipal zoning areas2
Septic permits
Required through the Health Department before installation6
Water wells
Health Department permit required for construction, repair, capping or sealing in its service area7
Owner-builder
A narrow plumbing exemption applies to qualifying owner-occupants, not general construction89
RV or tiny home
Parcel-specific occupancy rules were not confirmed; ask PBZ10
Setbacks and height
Accessory-building rules include measured setbacks, with separate A-1 standards1112

Who to call

Building permits

Kendall County Planning, Building & Zoning Department

Building permits and zoning for unincorporated Kendall County

630-553-4141

504 S. Main St, Yorkville, IL 60560

Septic permits

Kendall County Health Department, Environmental Health Services

Onsite wastewater permits, plan review and inspections in unsewered Kendall County

630-553-8026

811 W. John Street, Yorkville, IL 60560

Roads & driveways

Kendall County Highway Department

Permits for work within Kendall County highway rights-of-way

630-553-7616

fklaas@kendallcountyil.gov

6780 Route 47 Yorkville, IL 60560

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 Kendall County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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

The PBZ Building Division issues building permits for new construction in unincorporated Kendall County and in Millbrook and Plattville1. Building permits come from the municipality inside Oswego13, Yorkville14, and in the portions of Joliet15, Sandwich16 that reach into Kendall County. Septic permits for unsewered Kendall County addresses remain with the Kendall County Health Department3. Kendall County’s updated codes began taking effect May 11, 2026 and include the 2024 International Residential Code, 2024 International Building Code and 2023 National Electrical Code17.

Who is the Kendall County building department, and how do you reach it?

Start with the Kendall County Planning, Building & Zoning Department at its Yorkville office for building permits and zoning questions on unincorporated land18119. PBZ also handles building permits inside Millbrook and Plattville1. Kendall County does not accept emailed building-permit applications or supporting paperwork18. Building-inspection requests must be submitted by 4:00 p.m. at least one business day before the requested inspection; no specific inspection time is promised18. Kendall County does not register, bond or license contractors working in unincorporated areas18.

How do septic permits work in Kendall County?

The Kendall County Health Department regulates the design, construction, operation, maintenance and service of onsite wastewater systems, and a permit is required before installation, repair or renovation2021. Before applying, obtain a soil evaluation from a state-certified soil classifier, then submit the soil analysis, detailed site drawing, completed forms and required fees6. The department reports a review period of 10 to 14 working days after receiving complete paperwork and fees21. Health Department approval must come before PBZ begins building-permit review, and septic inspections require at least 24 hours' notice2223. Only 0.1% of county soils are rated “not limited” for a conventional drain field, so make the soil evaluation an early feasibility test rather than assuming a standard field will fit24.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on land in Kendall County?

We could not confirm permission for long-term RV occupancy or tiny-home living on private land in unincorporated Kendall County; ask PBZ about the parcel’s zoning district and proposed dwelling before buying1918. Illinois campground rules do not establish permission for residential RV use on a private parcel25. Small houses still fall under Kendall County’s new-construction building-permit requirement1. The A-1 Agricultural District ECHO conditional-use provision allows one manufactured home on a separate ground area of at least 5 acres, subject to health codes, setbacks, occupancy eligibility and annual affidavits; that provision does not establish general manufactured-home permission26.

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

  1. Ask PBZ whether the parcel is under county or municipal jurisdiction; use the applicable office to confirm zoning approval and building-permit requirements21927.
  1. Confirm every setback before ordering plans; accessory-building standards include separate general and A-1 Agricultural District measurements1112.
  1. If the site needs septic, obtain the certified soil evaluation and submit the septic-permit package to Environmental Health6.
  1. If the home needs a private well, obtain the Health Department well permit before construction or repair begins7.
  1. Identify the road authority before changing access; Kendall County Highway handles right-of-way work permits for county highways28.
  1. Obtain Health Department well and septic approval before PBZ begins building-permit review, then schedule the required inspections22235.

What should you check before buying land in Kendall County?

Confirm jurisdiction and the published zoning district first because zoning approval and building-permit authority vary among county and municipal areas21927. If an accessory building is planned, map easements, the septic system and the well before siting it, then confirm whether the general or A-1 Agricultural District setbacks apply1112. Test septic feasibility early: only 0.1% of soils are rated “not limited” for a conventional drain field24. A Kendall County Health Department permit is required for well construction, repair, capping or sealing in its service area7. Verify legal road access with the authority that owns the road before planning right-of-way work28. Most county land is relatively gentle, with 98.9% at a slope of 15% or less, but site-level drainage and flood conditions still need parcel review29. The effective property-tax rate is about 2.5%, and the median annual bill is about $7,5563031.

Watch-outs

  • Kendall County's updated building codes and fee schedule took effect May 11, 2026, so older permit packets or cost estimates may be stale17.
  • Illinois allows qualifying owner-occupants to perform plumbing on their own single-family residence, but that narrow rule is not a general exemption from building permits or other construction requirements89.
  • Published septic application forms list fees but do not establish that those amounts are current, so confirm the fee with Environmental Health before submitting332.
  • Work in a Kendall County highway right-of-way requires the Highway Department’s R.O.W. Work Application and detailed plans; access-driveway work on state-maintained roads requires IDOT authorization before work begins2833.

Sources

  1. Building: Permits, Forms, & Handouts, quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning – Kendall County Open GeoData, quoted and re-checked
  3. Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems - Property Owner, quoted and re-checked
  4. Water Wells - Property Owner, quoted and re-checked
  5. Building: Permits, Forms, & Handouts (2026 county census)
  6. Well and Septic Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  7. Water Wells, quoted and re-checked
  8. HB5913 Enrolled — Illinois Plumbing License Law amendment (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  9. 225 ILCS 320/18 — Local regulation; Department standards (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  10. Zoning – Kendall County Open GeoData, quoted and re-checked
  11. Accessory Building Setbacks, quoted and re-checked
  12. Accessory Building Setbacks, quoted and re-checked
  13. Village of Oswego: Permits | Village of Oswego, Illinois (Kendall County), quoted and re-checked
  14. Yorkville: Building Permit Applications (Kendall County), quoted and re-checked
  15. Joliet: Residential Building Permit Information | City of Joliet (Kendall County), quoted and re-checked
  16. Sandwich: Sec. 18-28. Permit generally (Kendall County), quoted and re-checked
  17. Kendall County Board Approves Updates to Building Codes and Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  18. Kendall County Planning, Building & Zoning Department (kendallcountyil.gov)
  19. Zoning – Kendall County Open GeoData, quoted and re-checked
  20. Onsite Wastewater Treatment System Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  21. SEPTIC PERMIT & PERMIT DRAWING REQUIREMENTS, quoted and re-checked
  22. Well and Septic Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  23. Well and Septic Permit Application Instructions, quoted and re-checked
  24. 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
  25. Youth Camps and Campgrounds (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  26. library.municode.com, quoted and re-checked
  27. Illinois Codes FAQ (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  28. Kendall County Highway Department (kendallcountyil.gov)
  29. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  31. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  32. Kendall County Health Department, Environmental Health Services (kendallhealth.org)
  33. Highway Permits (Illinois statewide rule), 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.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Kendall County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleKendall CountyGrundy CountyDeKalb CountyDuPage CountyKane CountyWill CountyLaSalle County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.

County locator

Kendall County in Illinois

30
County map
Kendall County highlighted among the Illinois counties · colored by Index score

How Kendall County scores

Seclusion9100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency47100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability67100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost41100% 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 →

$398kTypical home
2.5%Property tax
$11,745Land / acre
37.8"Annual rain
1.6% of yrsSevere drought
4.5 / yr (+4.3)Mid-century 100°F days
13.7 daysMid-century dry spell
1.83" (+7.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.73×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,696Home insurance / yr
3.6% / yrInsurance growth
1.06%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
255,535People within 30 min
11,669,763People within 2 hr
307,808Radius comparison (15 mi)
437.1People / sq mi
0%Federal land
98.9%Land at 15% slope or less
0.1%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
160 acWorkable land screen
13.2%Wooded land
95.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
50.2°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Kendall County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Big Grove Township · Bristol Township · Fox Township · Kendall Township · Lisbon Township · Village of Lisbon · Little Rock Township · Village of Millbrook · Na-Au-Say Township · Oswego Township · Village of Plattville · Seward Township

Answers from the rulebook for Kendall County

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

Kendall County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New construction in unincorporated Kendall County.

    • The County Building Division administers and enforces the Kendall County Building Code.
    • The cited page also states that the County issues permits for new construction in the incorporated Villages of Millbrook and Plattville; incorporated municipalities outside that statement may have separate rules.
    “The Building Division of the PBZ Department is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Kendall County Building Code and the issuance of building permits for all new construction within the unincorporated areas of the County, as well as the incorporated Villages of Millbrook and Plattville.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Kendall County building codes administered under Ordinance 2026-15.

    • Changes begin taking effect on May 11, 2026.
    • Adopted codes include the 2024 International Building Code; 2024 International Residential Code, including appendices BA, BB, and BE; 2023 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70); Illinois Plumbing Code; 2024 International Mechanical Code; 2024 International Fuel Gas Code; 2024 International Existing Building Code; Illinois Energy Conservation Code; Illinois Accessibility Code; 2018 International Swimming Pool and Spa Code; and 2024 International Property Maintenance Code.

    effective date: 2026-05-11

    “The Kendall County Board has approved updates to Kendall County’s building codes and fee schedule. The changes, adopted under Ordinance 2026-15, will begin taking effect on May 11, 2026.”
  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County zoning areas shown for Kendall County and the incorporated villages of Millbrook and Plattville.

    “This layer is a snapshot of Kendall County’s official zoning layer, as maintained by the GIS Department.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate county conclusion for zoning across Kendall County, including county, Millbrook, and Plattville zoning areas.

    • This aggregate conclusion reflects separate county and municipal zoning areas; it does not claim that Kendall County administers every municipal ordinance.
    “Zoning areas for Kendall County, Millbrook, and Plattville”
  • Zoning districtsPublished

    Official GIS zoning layer for Kendall County, Millbrook, and Plattville.

    • The GIS page states that the layer is a snapshot and that detailed ordinance information is in the County Clerk’s ordinances directory.
    “The zoning code of the area. See table below for codes.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    ECHO manufactured-home housing in the A-1 Agricultural District.

    • One manufactured home is permitted on a separate ground area of not less than five acres in A-1 Agricultural District.
    • Current health codes must be met.
    • Additional ECHO conditions include one unit per parcel, applicable setbacks, occupancy eligibility, and annual affidavit requirements.

    minimum separate ground area: >= 5 acres (A-1 Agricultural District ECHO housing)

    “One manufactured home is permitted on a separate ground area of not less than five (5) acres in an A-1 Agricultural District. Current health codes must be met.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Accessory buildings in Kendall County zoning districts.

    • Section 36-971 may provide an exception.
    • The 5-foot side/rear setback and 10-foot separation from the primary structure do not apply when the accessory building is attached and made part of the main building.
    • Front-yard setbacks must be confirmed with the Kendall County Planning, Building & Zoning Department.
    • No structure may be placed within a recorded easement.
    • No obstruction may encroach onto a private septic system or private water wells.

    minimum distance from side property line: >= 5 feet (Except as otherwise provided under Section 36-971.) · minimum distance from rear property line: >= 5 feet (Except as otherwise provided under Section 36-971.) · minimum distance to primary structure: >= 10 feet (Unless attached and made part of the main building.)

    “LOCATION: Except otherwise provided for under Section 36-971, no part of any accessory building shall be located closer than five (5) feet from any side or rear property line, nor closer than ten (10) feet to the primary structure, unless attached and made a part of such main building. Check with the Planning, Building & Zoning Department for front yard setbacks. Also the following restrictions apply: 1. No structure shall be placed within a recorded easement. 2. No obstruction shall encroach onto a private septic system or private water wells.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Accessory structures in the A-1 Agricultural District under Kendall County zoning.
      “ACCESSORY STRUCTURE SETBACK FOR A-1 DISTRICT: One hundred and fifty (150) feet from the center of all adjacent roads or 100’ from a dedicated road right of way, whichever is greater; and ten (10) feet from all property lines dividing lots held in separate ownership.”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Design, construction, operation, maintenance, service, and compliance of onsite wastewater treatment systems in Kendall County.

    • The ordinance adopts the latest Illinois Department of Public Health Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act and Code by reference.
    • The Health Department may withhold or revoke permits for incomplete applications or inconsistent site conditions.
    “The Health Department shall be responsible for regulating the design, construction, operation, maintenance and service of onsite wastewater treatment systems and their compliance with this Ordinance, the Illinois Department of Public Health Private Sewage Disposal Licensing Act (225 ILCS 225/1 et seq.) & the Private Sewage Disposal Code (77 Ill. Adm. Code 905).”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County — Onsite wastewater treatment systems in the Kendall County Health Department service area.
      “Well and septic permits must receive Health Department approval before the Kendall County Planning, Building and Zoning Department will begin the review of your building permit.”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installation, repair, or renovation of onsite wastewater treatment systems administered by the Kendall County Health Department.

    • A soil evaluation conducted by a state certified soil classifier is required when planning installation.
    • A written permit application on Kendall County Health Department forms is required.
    • The applicable permit fee and any related inspection fee must be paid when applying.
    • The original soil analysis report, three copies of a detailed site drawing with cross-section, completed application forms, and required permit fees must be submitted for review.
    • A state-licensed septic contractor is required unless the owner of a single-family dwelling chooses to install the system personally.
    • The department states that application and plan review takes ten to fourteen working days after receiving all necessary paperwork and fees.
    • After review, the applicant and contractor receive either a permit approval letter or a request for further information.
    • Well and septic permits must receive Health Department approval before the Kendall County Planning, Building and Zoning Department approves a building permit.
    • Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday and must be scheduled with Environmental Health at least 24 hours in advance.
    • No onsite wastewater treatment system may be installed, repaired, or renovated until the department has issued a permit.

    application and plan review time: 10 to 14 working days (From the time the department receives all necessary paperwork and fees.) · inspection notice: >= 24 hours (Advance notice to Environmental Health to schedule an inspection.)

    “Please be advised: No onsite wastewater treatment system shall be installed, repaired or renovated until a permit has been issued by the department.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — Construction or repair of onsite wastewater treatment systems in the unsewered parts of Kendall County, and septic tank abandonment applications administered by the Kendall County Health Department.
      “No onsite wastewater treatment system shall be installed, repaired or renovated until a permit has been issued by the department.”
    • Required — Installation of septic systems in the Kendall County Health Department service area.
      “Well and septic permits must receive Health Department approval before the Kendall County Planning, Building and Zoning Department will begin the review of your building permit.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    Septic-system inspections in the Kendall County Health Department service area.

    • Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday.
    • Environmental Health Services must be contacted at least 24 hours in advance to schedule a septic inspection.
    “Inspections are conducted Monday through Friday. Please call Environmental Health Services at 630.553.8026 at least 24 hours in advance to schedule an inspection of your septic system, and 48 hours in advance to schedule inspections of your well.”
  • Well permitLimited

    Construction or repair of water wells, and capping or sealing of water wells, in Kendall County.

    • The Kendall County Health Department issues permits for construction or repair of water wells and for capping or sealing water wells.
    • A well permit application is provided for new wells and existing wells in use.
    “perform plan reviews, issue permits, and conduct inspections for the construction or repair of water wells, and for the capping or sealing of water wells.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Construction or repair of private water wells and capping or sealing of wells in the Kendall County Health Department service area.
      “As part of this program, staff perform plan reviews, issue permits, and conduct inspections for the construction or repair of water wells, and for the capping or sealing of water wells.”

Illinois rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner occupants or lessee occupants of single-family residences, and owners of single-family residences under construction for their own occupancy, performing plumbing planning, installation, alteration, or repair in Illinois.

    • The exemption is limited to plumbing work on the specified single-family residence; the cited statute does not establish a general owner-builder exemption for all construction trades or a statewide exemption from building permits.
    • The plumbing must comply with the minimum standards in the Illinois State Plumbing Code.
    • The plumbing is subject to inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health or by the local governmental unit if it retains a licensed plumber as inspector.
    • The owner, owner occupant, or lessee occupant may not employ anyone other than a plumber licensed under the Illinois Plumbing License Law to assist.
    • An occupant must have taken possession of and be living in the premises as their bona fide sole and exclusive residence, or, for a residence under construction, expect to take possession and live there as that residence, with current intent to live there for at least 6 months after completion of the plumbing work or, for a residence under construction, at least 6 months after completion of construction.
    • Failure to possess and live in the premises as a sole and exclusive residence for 6 months or more creates a rebuttable presumption that the required intent was lacking.

    minimum occupancy period: >= 6 months (After completion of plumbing work; for a residence under construction, after completion of construction.)

    “Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the owner occupant or lessee occupant of a single family residence, or the owner of a single family residence under construction for his or her occupancy, from planning, installing, altering or repairing the plumbing system of such residence”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Conditional — Privately funded construction in Illinois, including projects performed by an owner-builder, as to state-issued building permits, state plan review, state building-code inspections, and state occupancy permits.
      “No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
    • Conditional — Statewide treatment of local plumbing permits and inspections for qualifying owner occupants performing plumbing work on a single-family residence.
      “Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit any city, town, village, township or county from providing for a Plumbing Inspector or from requiring permits for the installation and repair of plumbing and collecting a fee therefor, but a city, town, village, township, or county that requires a permit for installation and repair of plumbing may not issue that permit without verification that the applicant has a valid plumbing license or that the applicant is the owner occupant of a single family residence that is the subject of the permit.”
  • 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.”
  • 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”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • Permit feesVariable (with conditions)

    Applications and written inquiries for Illinois Department of Natural Resources public-water, dam, and floodway work requiring authorization.

    • The Department reviews applications and written inquiries free of charge to determine whether authorization is required when sufficient information is provided.
    • A permit application fee may apply under the Department's permit fee schedule.
    “January 15, 2014, a new Permit Application Fee went into effect. All applications and written inquiries received will be reviewed free of charge to determine whether the Public Water, dam and/or floodway work proposed requires authorization by the Department, so long as sufficient information is provided for the Department to make that determination.”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Construction projects in Illinois waterways, floodplains, and wetlands seeking State and Federal authorizations through the joint permit application process.

    • The joint application seeks authorizations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
    • The joint application form replaced the former Protecting Illinois Waters application package.
    “Construction projects in Illinois' waterways, floodplains and wetlands often require both State and Federal authorization. This joint application is designed to simplify the approval process for the applicant seeking project authorizations from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Office of Water Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.”
  • 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 authorityLimited

    County building-construction and building-code regulation, including residential structures, in counties meeting the statutory population and metropolitan-area conditions.

    • The county must have a population not in excess of 1,000,000.
    • The county must be located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.
    • Rules are subject to rules or regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal under the cited gasoline and volatile-oils statute.
    • The county must exempt municipalities located wholly or partly within the county when the municipal building code is equal to the county regulation and local authorities are enforcing that municipal code.
    • The rules apply throughout the county, but municipalities may establish higher standards.
    • The rules do not apply to construction or alteration of buildings or structures used or to be used for agricultural purposes on a tract zoned and used for agricultural purposes.
    • The county board must follow the publication and posting requirements in 55 ILCS 5/5-1063.
    • Beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, a county adopting a new building code or amending an existing building code must provide the building-code identification to the Capital Development Board under Section 10.18 at least 30 days before adoption.
    • Violations are petty offenses, and enforcement is by an officer designated by county-board resolution.
    • The provision expressly authorizes county building-construction and building-code rules, but the opened text does not expressly use the phrase residential building permit requirement.

    population threshold: <= 1000000 persons (The county must be located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.) · pre-adoption identification period: >= 30 days (Applies to a new building code or amendment under the stated amendatory-Act provision.)

    “The county board in any county with a population not in excess of 1,000,000 located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission may prescribe by resolution or ordinance reasonable rules and regulations (a) governing the construction and alteration of all buildings and structures and parts and appurtenances thereof and governing the maintenance thereof in a condition reasonably safe from the hazards of fire, explosion, collapse, contagion and the spread of infectious disease”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • General — 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 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.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size for residential units in unincorporated Kendall County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in Kendall County.
  • Living in an RV — Long-term or residential RV occupancy on private land in Kendall County.
  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping on private land in Kendall County.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes or very small dwelling units in unincorporated Kendall County.
4 more unanswered
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • 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.

Water rights & wells in Kendall County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Illinois’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Reasonable-use rule (Water Use Act of 1983, 525 ILCS 45). New high-capacity wells get 30-day SWCD/ISWS review, but domestic/household wells are below the threshold and exempt (Illinois Water Well Construction Code still applies).

Limit: household wells exempt; only high-capacity points (>=100,000 gpd) notify SWCD/ISWS

Illinois Water Use Act of 1983 (525 ILCS 45) ↗
  • Northeastern Illinois deep bedrock (Cambrian-Ordovician) aquiferpartial of county

    Illinois State Water Survey documents unsustainable drawdown (300-800+ ft) of the deep sandstone aquifer; St. Peter sandstone is partially desaturated in Will, Kane and Kendall and some deep wells are projected to fail by ~2030, steering communities toward Lake Michigan water. The stress affects deep high-capacity municipal/industrial wells; shallow domestic wells are exempt.

    Illinois State Water Survey — NE Illinois water-supply planning ↗

Regulated-riparian state (large uses permitted). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Illinois state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Kendall County, Illinois

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

Kendall County scores 30/100 on the Bolthole Index, a weak county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals. Watch-outs: about 255,535 people within a 30-minute drive and higher long-term carry cost.

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

Kendall County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Kendall County Health Department (Environmental Health). Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. 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 Kendall County, Illinois?

Land in Kendall County runs about $11,745 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Kendall County?

Kendall County gets about 37.8" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 1.6% of years. On water rights, Kendall County lies in the Northeastern Illinois deep bedrock (Cambrian-Ordovician) aquifer — Illinois State Water Survey documents unsustainable drawdown (300-800+ ft) of the deep sandstone aquifer; St. Peter sandstone is partially desaturated in Will, Kane and Kendall and some deep wells are projected to fail by ~2030, steering communities toward Lake Michigan water. The stress affects deep high-capacity municipal/industrial wells; shallow domestic wells are exempt..

How remote is Kendall County?

A representative private-land location has about 255,535 people within a 30-minute drive and 11,669,763 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.

How Kendall compares in Illinois

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