Building permits, zoning and land rules in McDonough County, Illinois
73Index Score / 100 #13 of 102 in Illinois
Inside the City of Macomb, McDonough County, Illinois requires a building permit and the city sets its own zoning12. For unincorporated land we could not confirm a countywide building-permit or zoning rule34. Septic permits for any address, city or not, come from the McDonough County Health Department56.
At a glance
Building permit
Countywide requirement not confirmed; ask the local government with jurisdiction37
Zoning
Countywide zoning not confirmed for unincorporated land4
Septic permit
McDonough County Health Department reviews plans, evaluates sites, and issues permits56
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed; ask the authority governing the parcel4
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Do you need a building permit in McDonough County, Illinois?
A countywide building-permit requirement for unincorporated McDonough County could not be confirmed3. The City of Macomb is different: its permit page says erecting, altering or repairing a building within Macomb city limits requires a building permit1. Illinois does not issue building permits for privately funded construction; any permit requirement is handled by the municipality, village, city, or county with jurisdiction7. Illinois likewise leaves private-project inspections and occupancy certificates to the applicable local government1213. The safe answer therefore depends on the parcel, not simply the county name. Ask the McDonough County Clerk and Recorder which local authority governs the address, then get that authority's permit, inspection, and occupancy requirements in writing14. A municipality or county is not required to adopt a building code, and Illinois's statewide building-code baseline applies either way1516.
Who handles building permits in McDonough County, and how do you reach them?
Inside Macomb, the City issues building permits: the fee is based on the estimated project cost, a permit is valid for 6 months, and electrical, plumbing, HVAC and right-of-way work may need separate permits1718. For unincorporated land, no general McDonough County building or zoning office could be confirmed, so begin with the McDonough County Clerk and Recorder at (309)833-2474, jbenson@mcdonoughcountyclerk.org, or #1 Courthouse Square Macomb, IL 6145514. Ask which city, village, county, or other local authority has jurisdiction over the parcel because Illinois assigns private-project permitting to local government7. Septic stays with the county in every case: call the McDonough County Health Department at (309) 837-9951; its private-sewage page directs callers to extension 20006. For an entrance or utility installation involving a county highway, contact the McDonough County Highway Department at (309)833-4196 or 204 S. Western Ave. Macomb, IL 6145510.
Does McDonough County have zoning?
The City of Macomb has its own zoning: land there cannot be built on, altered or used without conforming to the regulations for its district, and the city's permitted uses are listed in Chapter 17, Article VI of its Municipal Code2. That city ordinance does not set the rule for unincorporated land2. Countywide zoning for unincorporated McDonough County could not be confirmed from an authoritative county source4. An unanswered countywide zoning question is not permission to build or occupy any structure. Ask the County Clerk and Recorder to identify the authority for the parcel, especially when land lies inside or near an incorporated community14. Illinois law allows county zoning districts to establish setbacks and building-height limits, but the applicable local ordinance supplies the actual dimensions1920. McDonough County-specific minimum dwelling size, minimum lot size, lot coverage, accessory-dwelling, and agricultural-building rules also remain unconfirmed. Owner-builder treatment is unresolved as well8. Confirm the governing rules before relying on a seller's description of land as unrestricted.
How do septic permits work in McDonough County?
The McDonough County Health Department handles private sewage disposal locally, including for addresses inside Macomb and the county's other towns5. Its official page says the department reviews the application and system plan, conducts a site evaluation, issues the private-sewage permit, and inspects new or renovated systems6. Illinois requires plan approval from the state or local authority before construction of a new private sewage system begins, including qualifying tank replacements and major absorption-field changes21. Contact the department before choosing a system or excavating. Only about 23% of McDonough County soils rate without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make septic feasibility a purchase contingency rather than assuming a standard field will work11. Illinois also approves certain off-grid human-waste systems conditionally, but other domestic wastewater still requires a conventional private sewage disposal system22.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in McDonough County?
McDonough County rules for residential RV use and tiny-home occupancy on private land could not be confirmed. Illinois campground licensing governs qualifying campgrounds, but it does not answer whether someone may live in an RV on an individual parcel23. Countywide zoning is also unresolved, so ask the authority governing the parcel about dwelling classification, occupancy duration, setbacks, minimum size, and utility connections4. A manufactured home follows separate Illinois installation requirements, and local zoning, building, floodplain, and utility rules may also apply24. Any permitted dwelling still needs a lawful wastewater solution: private sewage construction requires advance plan approval, and the McDonough County Health Department evaluates the site and inspects new or renovated systems216.
What are the steps to build a home in McDonough County?
Ask the McDonough County Clerk and Recorder which local government has jurisdiction over the parcel14.
Ask that authority in writing (the City of Macomb for city addresses) about zoning, building permits, inspections, setbacks, and an occupancy certificate because the countywide answers remain unconfirmed341.
Design the home to the applicable Illinois building-code baseline16.
Submit the private-sewage plan to the McDonough County Health Department and arrange its site evaluation and inspections6.
Obtain a permit before constructing, modifying, or sealing a private well9.
Obtain an entrance permit from the County Highway Department for county-highway access, or contact IDOT before work in a state-road right-of-way1025.
Determine whether floodway or floodplain authorization applies before construction26.
What should you check before buying land in McDonough County?
Make septic suitability a contract contingency because only about 23% of McDonough County soils rate without severe limitations for a conventional drain field11. Confirm the parcel's building-permit and zoning authority before closing because neither countywide answer is settled34. Check the road jurisdiction too: the County Highway Department issues entrance permits for county roads, while work in a state-maintained right-of-way requires an IDOT permit before it begins1025. Review mapped flood hazards and determine whether state authorization applies to proposed floodway or floodplain work26. A private well requires a permit before construction, modification, or sealing9. McDonough County's effective property-tax rate is about 2.2%, with a median annual bill of about $2,2382728.
Watch-outs
Inside the City of Macomb a building permit is required and city zoning applies12, but McDonough County-specific rules for unincorporated land (building permits, zoning, RV occupancy, tiny homes, minimum dwelling size, setbacks, owner-builder treatment) could not be confirmed; ask the County Clerk and Recorder to identify the authority for the parcel34814.
Conventional drain fields face severe soil limitations across most of McDonough County, so arrange the Health Department's site evaluation before committing to a house location116.
A county-road entrance goes through the McDonough County Highway Department, while access work in a state-road right-of-way requires an IDOT permit before work begins1025.
Written October 10, 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.
McDonough County highlighted among the Illinois counties · colored by Index score
How McDonough County scores
Seclusion59100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency57100% ev.
Admin Boringness7468% ev.
Durability76100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost55100% ev.
Evidence strength: 95%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →
$99kTypical home
2.2%Property tax
$9,948Land / acre
39.3"Annual rain
3.9% of yrsSevere drought
7.7 / yr (+7)Mid-century 100°F days
14.9 daysMid-century dry spell
1.73" (+7.6%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.77×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,455Home insurance / yr
4.8% / yrInsurance growth
1.06%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
27,293People within 30 min
1,294,549People within 2 hr
28,553Radius comparison (15 mi)
45.5People / sq mi
0.1%Federal land
93%Land at 15% slope or less
23.3%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
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Cities and towns in McDonough 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: Village of Bardolph · Bethel Township · Blandinsville Township · Village of Blandinsville · Bushnell · Bushnell Township · Chalmers Township · Colchester · Colchester Township · Eldorado Township · Emmet Township · Village of Good Hope · Hire Township · Industry Township · Village of Industry · Lamoine Township · Macomb Township · Macomb City Township · Mound Township · New Salem Township · Prairie City Township · Village of Prairie City · Sciota Township · Village of Sciota · Scotland Township · Tennessee Township · Village of Tennessee · Walnut Grove Township
Answers from the rulebook for McDonough County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Illinois rules that apply here
Building permitLimited
Privately funded construction in Illinois; the State does not itself issue building permits, while any required permit is addressed by the applicable local government.
Permit requirements may be imposed and administered by the municipality, village, city, or county having jurisdiction.
The Illinois Capital Development Board states that statewide building codes became effective 1/1/2025, while local code officials remain the best source for project-specific answers.
“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 building permits 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.”
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.”
Building code adoptedPartial
Building-code requirements statewide in Illinois, including residential and commercial construction subject to the Capital Development Board Act baseline requirements.
Local governments may adopt building codes, but they are not required to adopt codes; jurisdictions that do not adopt a code are treated as non-building-code jurisdictions and must follow the applicable state-law baseline requirements.
For jurisdictions with adopted codes, local codes must regulate structural design at least as stringently as the applicable IRC, IBC, or IEBC baseline.
Commercial buildings in non-building-code jurisdictions and state-funded buildings are subject to the state-listed codes and qualified-inspection requirements.
Residential requirements differ depending on whether the jurisdiction has adopted a compliant building code and whether the home purchaser and builder agree to an alternative code.
statewide baseline effective date: 2025-01-01 · local code structural minimum for residential buildings: IRC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for commercial new buildings: IBC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for existing commercial buildings: IEBC minimum structural requirements
Adopted (with conditions) — Statewide Illinois building-code framework applicable to construction in McDonough County, subject to the applicable local code jurisdiction and project type.
“The State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide building codes effective 1/1/2025.”
Adopted — Statewide Illinois building-code baseline applicable to residential and other construction, including McDonough County, effective January 1, 2025.
“The State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510 ) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide building codes effective 1/1/2025.”
Adopted — Statewide baseline building-code requirements for residential construction in Illinois, including jurisdictions with and without locally adopted building codes.
“Please be advised that the State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide baseline building codes effective 1/1/2025. Locally adopted building codes must comply with the requirements of the Act.”
InspectionsLimited
Privately funded construction statewide in Illinois, as to inspections performed by the State rather than by a local authority having jurisdiction.
The Illinois Capital Development Board does not perform building-code inspections for privately funded construction.
If inspections are required, they are addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
A local municipality or county may be a non-building-code jurisdiction, in which case applicable state baseline requirements and inspection-certification provisions may apply.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Not required — Building-code-compliance inspections performed by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Occupancy permits or certificates for privately funded construction in Illinois.
The State does not issue occupancy permits for privately funded construction.
If an occupancy permit is required, it is addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Not required — Issuance of occupancy permits or certificates by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
County zoning regulations for building or setback lines outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.
The actual setback distances are established by applicable county zoning districts or other local ordinances.
Agricultural buildings may be required to conform to building or setback lines.
“to establish building or setback lines”
Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)
County zoning districts outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.
The applicable county zoning ordinance determines the actual height limit by district or use.
No single statewide height measurement was identified.
“including height of buildings and structures”
Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)
Occupancy of manufactured homes as dwellings, including occupancy in manufactured home communities regulated by IDPH.
Manufactured home communities with 5 or more sites must be licensed by IDPH, except communities located in home rule units.
IDPH annually inspects licensed communities for renewal, including water, sewage disposal, electrical systems, lighting, roads, spacing of homes, and garbage disposal.
Manufactured homes moved since January 1, 1980 must be secured using equipment meeting IDPH standards.
Effective December 31, 2001, manufactured homes must be installed by an Illinois licensed manufactured home installer or the homeowner and installed according to manufacturer instructions; if unavailable, the IDPH Manufactured Home Installation Code applies.
Local zoning, building, floodplain, and utility requirements may also apply.
manufactured home community license threshold: >= 5 sites (Communities located in home rule units are excepted from this IDPH licensing statement.) · moved-home tiedown requirement effective date: >= 1980-01-01 · installation requirement effective date: >= 2001-12-31
“designed and situated so as to permit its occupancy as a dwelling place for one or more persons”
Who permits septicState (with conditions)
Private sewage disposal systems in McDonough County under Illinois statewide authority.
Local health agencies may review construction plans under local ordinance or as agents of IDPH.
The cited source does not identify McDonough County Health Department by name.
surface discharge threshold: <= 1500 gallons per day (Systems discharging 1,500 gallons per day or more may involve Illinois EPA or federal NPDES permitting.)
“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems).”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Mixed (with conditions) — Private sewage disposal systems in Illinois, including systems in McDonough County.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems). Staff also review and approve plans for private sewage disposal systems and alternative private sewage disposal systems before construction. There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans, either by authority of a local ordinance or as an "agent" of the Department.”
Mixed — Installation and plan approval for private sewage disposal systems statewide in Illinois.
“There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans”
Septic permitRequired
Construction of a new private sewage disposal system statewide, including systems where a septic tank is replaced, a major component is added or removed, or the absorption field changes by at least 25 percent.
Plan approval must be obtained from IDPH or the applicable local authority before construction begins.
Persons constructing, installing, repairing, or modifying the system must notify the Department or local authority at least 48 hours before work begins.
The rule requires submission of plans, site and system information, bedroom count or design volume, soil or percolation information, owner information, and applicant signature.
notice before commencement: >= 48 hours · absorption-field change threshold: >= 25 percent (The rule treats increasing the field by 25% or more, or removing and replacing 25% or more, as a new system.)
“Plan approval shall be obtained from the Department or local authority prior to beginning any construction of a new private sewage disposal system.”
Septic inspectionLimited
New and replacement surface-discharging private sewage disposal systems covered by Illinois EPA general NPDES Permit ILG62.
Coverage under the general permit is limited to eligible dischargers.
Systems not eligible for general-permit coverage may require an individual NPDES permit.
Periodic inspection, monitoring, and reporting are required under the permit.
“The permit sets discharge limits and requires periodic inspection, monitoring and reporting.”
Off-grid sanitationAllowed (with conditions)
Off-grid disposal of human wastes through privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets, and compost toilets statewide in Illinois.
Other domestic wastes must be disposed of in a conventional private sewage disposal system.
Compost toilets may also be used for other organic domestic wastes.
Privies have construction, capacity, venting, maintenance, and abandonment requirements.
A privy pit must have a minimum capacity of 50 cubic feet per seat.
A privy must be pumped when filled to within 18 inches of the bottom of the riser.
Vault privies are required where groundwater or limestone formations are within 4 feet of the bottom of the pit.
Recirculating toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41 and residuals must go to an approved public or private sewage disposal system.
Incinerator and compost toilets have separate maintenance and disposal requirements; compost toilets must meet NSF International/ANSI Standard 41.
privy pit minimum capacity: >= 50 cubic feet per seat · privy pumping trigger: <= 18 inches from bottom of riser (Pump when filled to within this distance.) · vault-privy groundwater or limestone separation: < 4 feet from bottom of pit (Watertight, non-metal vaults are required where the condition applies.)
“Privies, portable toilets, recirculation toilets, incinerator toilets and compost toilets are approved for private sewage disposal of human wastes.”
Well permitRequired
Construction of a new water well, modification of an existing water well, or sealing of an abandoned water well in Illinois.
A permit must be obtained from the Illinois Department of Public Health or an approved local health department before work begins.
The application must use Department or approved local health department forms and include a plan and drawing of the proposed construction.
The plan must include the lot size, slope, property lines, distances to septic tanks, abandoned wells, property lines, seepage fields, sewers, and other contamination sources; driller license number and name; estimated daily pumping capacity if greater than 100,000 gallons per day; well location; owner name and address; well type; estimated depth; well-use type; and proposed aquifer.
The permit is void if construction has not commenced within one year after issuance.
The permit fee for constructing, deepening, modifying, or sealing a water well may not exceed $100.
The Department will deny a permit request when available information indicates groundwater contamination exceeds Class I groundwater standards, subject to the treatment approval provision in subsection (f)(2).
The permittee must notify the Department, approved local health department, or approved unit of local government by telephone or in writing at least two days before work begins.
maximum water well permit fee: <= 100 USD · permit commencement deadline: 1 year after issuance (Permit is void if construction has not commenced within that period.) · pre-work notification: >= 2 days (Notification may be by telephone or in writing.)
“A permit to construct a new water well, modify an existing water well or seal an abandoned water well shall be obtained from the Department or approved local health department prior to start of work.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Construction of a new water well, modification of an existing water well, or sealing of an abandoned water well in McDonough County under Illinois statewide requirements.
“A permit to construct a new water well, modify an existing water well or seal an abandoned water well shall be obtained from the Department or approved local health department prior to start of work.”
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).”
Inside cities and towns in McDonough County
Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.
Building permitRequired
Erection, alteration, or repair of buildings within Macomb city limits.
General maintenance such as painting, sealants, protective treatments, carpet work, and other general maintenance is listed as not requiring a building permit.
Enterprise-zone property still requires a permit, but the fee is waived.
Failure to obtain a permit before construction doubles the building permit fee.
“The erection, alteration or repair of a building within Macomb City limits requires for a building permit to be filed.”
Building code adoptedAdopted
City of Macomb building-code references.
This claim applies to the City of Macomb and not automatically to unincorporated McDonough County or other municipalities.
International Building Code: 2018 · International Fire Code: 2018 · International Mechanical Code: 2018 · International Residential Code: 2018 · Illinois Accessibility Code: 2018
“Building Codes Adopted 2021: International Building Code 2018 International Fire Code 2018 International Mechanical Code 2018 International Residential Code 2018”
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Land and buildings within the City of Macomb and its zoning districts in McDonough County.
The cited document describes City of Macomb zoning; it does not establish countywide zoning or rules for other municipalities or unincorporated areas.
Uses and development must conform to the regulations of the applicable zoning district.
The complete permitted-use listing is in Chapter 17, Article VI of the City Municipal Code.
“Generally speaking, no building or land shall be erected, moved, altered, used or occupied without conforming to the regulations specified for the district in which it is located. A complete listing of permitted uses within the city is included in Chapter 17, Article VI of the Municipal Code. The city is divided into the following zoning districts:”
Mandatory utility hookupWater and sewer (with conditions)
Connections to public water or sewer systems in the City of Macomb.
Permission and permits are required before tapping the public system.
A plumbing number and Water-Sewer Service Form are required; separate permits are required for each service connection and building, and each branch connection when more than one connection is made by one service pipe.
Water activation without contacting the Business Office may result in a penalty fee of up to $750.
activation penalty: <= 750 USD (for activating water service without contacting the Business Office)
“All connections to the public water or sewer systems need to receive permission and permits before tapping into the public system.”
Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)
Subdivision of land within the City of Macomb.
A minor subdivision is a division into two or fewer lots.
The final subdivision plat must be submitted within 12 months after preliminary plat approval.
The planning commission has 40 days to approve, partially approve, or disapprove the subdivision.
minor subdivision maximum lots: <= 2 lots · final plat submission deadline: 12 months (after preliminary plat approval) · planning commission review period: 40 days
“A minor subdivision is a division of land into two or fewer lots.”
Driveway accessLimited
Driveway excavation, repair, or temporary driveway use in the City of Macomb public right-of-way.
A right-of-way permit is required for public right-of-way use.
Driveway/sidewalk/alley excavations require a $1,000 security or bond deposit.
Right-of-way permit approval by the Public Works Department is required.
Driveway or sidewalk repair without excavation and temporary driveways have listed fees.
The building permit fee is based on the estimated cost of the project.
The cited page links to a fee schedule but does not provide the full schedule text in the page passage.
fee basis: estimated cost of project
“The permit fee is based on the estimated cost of the project and uses the following schedule.”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
City of Macomb building-permit process.
Commercial or institutional building erection or modification requires building plans.
Residential structure changes should include a sketch of the changes on an aerial map provided by the City upon request.
The permit is valid for six months.
Electrical, plumbing, HVAC, demolition, and right-of-way work may require separate permits.
permit validity: 6 months
“When a building permit is issued, a colored paper sign is given to be displayed visibly in the project location. The permit is valid for 6 months.”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.
County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning authority in McDonough County.
Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in McDonough County.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in McDonough County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in McDonough County.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage in McDonough County.
5 more unanswered
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Accessory dwellings
Agricultural exemption
Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.
Living off-grid in McDonough County, Illinois
Is McDonough County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
McDonough County scores 73/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: a durable current and mid-century hazard profile and low administrative friction for a quiet rural property.
Do you need a building permit in McDonough County, Illinois?
McDonough County requires a building permit only in limited cases (such as floodplains or specific zones). Onsite septic is permitted by McDonough County Health Department (under IDPH 77 Ill. Adm. Code Part 905). 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 McDonough County, Illinois?
Land in McDonough County runs about $9,948 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in McDonough County?
McDonough County gets about 39.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.9% of years.
How remote is McDonough County?
A representative private-land location has about 27,293 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,294,549 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.
