Bolthole Index

McLean County, Illinois

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

48Index Score / 100
#76 of 102 in Illinois

Most construction in unincorporated McLean County, Illinois requires a county building permit before work starts1. County zoning controls land use in unincorporated McLean County, and an occupancy permit is required before a new or altered structure is used23. For homes without public sewer, the McLean County Health Department administers private sewage disposal4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required before most construction in unincorporated McLean County1
Building permit fee
$375 is the published single-family dwelling fee; verify the current amount56
Zoning
County zoning applies outside incorporated municipalities7
Septic
County Health administers private sewage disposal for properties without public sewer8
RV living
RV parks have specific limits; occupancy on an individual parcel is not confirmed9
Tiny homes
Single-family dwellings must be at least 22 feet wide, with at least 800 square feet on the ground floor (700 for multistory homes)10
Private wells
A state or approved local health department permit is required before a new well, modification or sealing11
Owner-builder exemption
A state exemption covers qualifying owner-occupant plumbing, not general construction permits12

Who to call

Building permits

McLean County Building & Zoning Department

Construction permits, zoning, flood-hazard and subdivision regulation in unincorporated McLean County

(309) 888-5160

115 E. Washington St. Rm M102 Bloomington , IL 61701

Zoning

McLean County Building & Zoning Department

Zoning districts and land-use questions for unincorporated McLean County

(309) 888-5160

Septic permits

McLean County Health Department — Environmental Health Division

Private sewage disposal plan review, permits, inspections and installer licensing

(309) 888-5482

200 W Front Street Bloomington , IL 61701

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

These are affiliate links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, Bolthole Index earns from qualifying purchases.

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

Yes. Most construction projects in unincorporated McLean County require a permit before work starts; county examples include new homes, additions, detached buildings, ponds and some fences13. The published fee page lists $375 for a single-family dwelling regardless of size and warns that fees can change5. County-permitted construction generally receives stake-out, foundation and final inspections14. An occupancy permit must be issued before a new building, addition, land improvement or structurally altered building is occupied or used; it follows completion, inspection and certification that the work matches approved plans3. Agricultural buildings on parcels with less than 40 acres of tillable land require a signed statement supporting genuine agricultural use, and the applicant bears the burden of proof15.

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

The McLean County Building & Zoning Department regulates construction in the county's unincorporated areas and administers zoning, flood-hazard and subdivision regulations16. The office is at 115 E. Washington St. Rm M102 Bloomington , IL 61701, and its phone number is (309) 888-516016. Construction-permit applications may require plans, specifications, sewage-disposal certification, road-access certification and flood-hazard data17. Verify the current fee and project-specific checklist with Building & Zoning before design work616. El Paso, which lies mainly in Woodford County and reaches into McLean County, handles its own building permits18. Private sewage disposal for homes without public sewer remains with the McLean County Health Department on the McLean County side8.

Does McLean County have zoning?

McLean County zoning governs unincorporated land; El Paso, a city mainly in Woodford County that reaches into McLean County, has its own zoning719. Private sewage disposal for homes without public sewer remains with McLean County Health on the McLean County side8. County maps identify agriculture, residential, commercial and industrial districts, with allowed uses depending on the district20. Setbacks and height limits vary by district and use; ask Building & Zoning for the parcel's dimensional schedule212223. Certain nonhabitable rooftop features, including chimneys and necessary mechanical appurtenances, are exempt from district height limits24. On arterial frontage, the front-yard setback is measured from the street centerline and equals the district requirement plus 50 feet; collector frontage adds 40 feet25. A residential provision requires 22,500 square feet for a dwelling using individual sewage disposal, versus 12,000 square feet with public or community sewer and water26. Another provision caps residential lot coverage at 35 percent; ask Building & Zoning which provisions govern the parcel2723.

How do septic permits work in McLean County?

The McLean County Health Department's Private Sewage Disposal Program administers private sewage systems, particularly for homes and facilities without public sewer service4. The program approves plans, issues private sewage disposal permits and inspects systems2829. The office is at 200 W Front Street Bloomington , IL 61701, and its phone number is (309) 888-548229. Illinois requires plan approval before a new private sewage system is built, and the installer must notify the county or state health department at least 48 hours before work begins30. Only about 8.3% of McLean County soils avoid a severe USDA rating for conventional drain fields, so make septic feasibility an early purchase contingency31.

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

A tiny home used as a single-family dwelling in unincorporated McLean County must meet dwelling standards: at least 22 feet in exterior width and 800 square feet of ground-floor area, reduced to 700 square feet for a dwelling with more than one story10. The roof must rise at least 4 feet per 12 feet of horizontal run and use shingles commonly used in county residential construction10. Separate multifamily standards require at least 375 square feet of net living area for an efficiency unit; that threshold does not replace single-family dwelling standards3210. Accessory dwellings are district-specific, with a provision for religious properties; we could not confirm general authorization for a second home on every residential lot, so ask Building & Zoning before planning one3323. McLean County RV parks are intended for short-term occupancy; permanent placement requires an unaltered RV and an owner with a bona fide residence elsewhere9. We could not confirm RV occupancy or temporary camping rules for an individual parcel outside an RV park; ask Building & Zoning about the parcel and planned duration23. Manufactured/mobile homes are generally barred as principal or accessory structures outside listed exceptions, including approved parks and limited disaster-replacement use under a provisional occupancy permit34.

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

  1. Ask McLean County Building & Zoning to confirm jurisdiction, zoning district, allowed use, setbacks and height limits16202122.
  2. Contact Environmental Health for private-sewage plan approval and a permit if public sewer is unavailable2829.
  3. Obtain any required private-well permit before well work begins11.
  4. Assemble the district-specific documents, including any required entrance permit and public-water approval173536.
  5. Submit the construction-permit application and verify the current fee before work starts16.
  6. Complete the county inspections and obtain the occupancy permit before using the finished home143.

What should you check before buying land in McLean County?

A tract split into two or more parts may trigger county subdivision requirements outside cities, towns and villages, although some one-lot divisions may qualify for an exemption or administrative approval37. Confirm septic feasibility before closing because only about 8.3% of county soils avoid severe limitations for a conventional drain field31. Confirm the water source because residential permit documentation calls for public or private supply information and public systems require municipal or water-district approval35. Ask Building & Zoning whether an entrance permit and flood-hazard elevation data apply363816. The county's median property-tax bill is about $4,503 per year, so review the parcel assessment39.

Watch-outs

  • Illinois lets qualifying owner occupants perform plumbing on their own single-family residence, but that plumbing-only rule is not a general exemption from McLean County construction permits12.
  • The county's RV-park rules do not answer whether you may camp or live in an RV on an individual rural parcel; get a parcel-specific answer from Building & Zoning923.
  • Commercial buildings in unincorporated McLean County require separate qualified-inspector certification as well as the county's general construction inspections14.

Sources

  1. Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  2. Zoning | McLean County, IL - Official Website, quoted and re-checked
  3. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  4. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  5. Current Fees, quoted and re-checked
  6. Current Fees, quoted and re-checked
  7. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  8. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  9. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  10. Chapter 350, Article VI: Use Regulations, quoted and re-checked
  11. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. HB5913 Enrolled — Illinois Plumbing License Law amendment (2026 county census)
  13. Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  14. Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  15. McLean County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  16. McLean County Building & Zoning Department (mcleancountyil.gov)
  17. Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  18. El Paso: Chapter 133: Building Construction - City of El Paso, IL (McLean County), quoted and re-checked
  19. El Paso: Article I: General Provisions - City of El Paso, IL (McLean County), quoted and re-checked
  20. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  21. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  22. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  23. McLean County Building & Zoning Department (mcleancountyil.gov)
  24. McLean County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  25. McLean County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  26. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  27. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  28. Septic Systems, quoted and re-checked
  29. McLean County Health Department — Environmental Health Division (health.mcleancountyil.gov)
  30. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  31. 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
  32. McLean County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  33. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  34. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  35. Documentation Required (by Zoning District) to Process a Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  36. Documentation Required (by Zoning District) to Process a Building Permit Application, quoted and re-checked
  37. Subdivision, quoted and re-checked
  38. McLean County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  39. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

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.

Found land here? Start a Property Hunt →

Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, McLean County has countywide zoning.

RuleMcLean CountyDe Witt CountyWoodford CountyLivingston CountyTazewell CountyLogan CountyPiatt County
Building permitRequiredRequiredLimitedLimitedRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsCounty Health Dept.DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Health Dept.County Dept. of Public HealthDeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Dept.

County locator

McLean County in Illinois

48
County map
McLean County highlighted among the Illinois counties · colored by Index score

How McLean County scores

Seclusion44100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency28100% ev.
Admin Boringness4390% ev.
Durability69100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost60100% 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 →

$262kTypical home
2.3%Property tax
$7,074Land / acre
38.3"Annual rain
2.7% of yrsSevere drought
6.8 / yr (+6.4)Mid-century 100°F days
14.2 daysMid-century dry spell
1.8" (+8.7%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.76×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,494Home insurance / yr
4% / yrInsurance growth
0.71%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
14,913People within 30 min
3,994,156People within 2 hr
70,632Radius comparison (15 mi)
144People / sq mi
0%Federal land
99.5%Land at 15% slope or less
8.3%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
62,440 acWorkable land screen
5%Wooded land
41.3 tonsBiomass / forest ac
51.4°FAvg temp

Scout McLean County

Camp here before you commitBook a few nights nearby on Hipcamp →Already own land here?Earn money hosting campers — get $100 when you become a Hipcamp host →

Some links are affiliate or referral links — we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.

Property hunt

Find land. Bring the promising ones back.

Search live inventory elsewhere, then cost and vet each candidate here. No copied listings, account, or paid data feed.

View your full hunt →
ZillowLand & lotsRealtor.comLand listingsLandSearchRural & vacant land

Each button opens a current land search for McLean County. Listing sites control their own results and filters.

Analyze a property
Add setup-cost allowances

Use rough quotes or placeholders. Blank fields count as $0.

Working estimate

—land + entered setup costs
Asking $ / acre
—
Setup allowance
—
All-in $ / acre
—

A planning estimate, not a valuation or contractor quote. The USDA benchmark includes farm land and buildings; it is context, not a parcel comp.

Before an offer

Parcel due diligence

0/8 checked

Saved properties and checklist progress stay on this device. Bolthole Index does not receive them.

Cities and towns in McLean 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: Allin Township · Anchor Township · Village of Anchor · Arrowsmith Township · Village of Arrowsmith · Bellflower Township · Village of Bellflower · Bloomington Township · Bloomington City Township · Blue Mound Township · Village of Carlock · Cheney's Grove Township · Chenoa Township · Village of Colfax · Village of Cooksville · Cropsey Township · Dale Township · Danvers Township · Village of Danvers · Dawson Township · Downs Township · Village of Downs · Dry Grove Township · Village of Ellsworth · Empire Township · Funks Grove Township · Gridley Township · Village of Gridley · Village of Hudson · Lawndale Township · Lexington Township · Martin Township · Village of McLean · Money Creek Township · Mount Hope Township · Normal Township · Old Town Township · Randolph Township · Village of Saybrook · Village of Stanford · Towanda Township · Village of Towanda · West Township · White Oak Township · Yates Township

Answers from the rulebook for McLean County

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

McLean County rules

  • Building permitRequired

    Most construction projects in unincorporated McLean County, including new homes and listed residential improvements.

    • Permits are required before construction starts.
    • The page describes the rule as applying to most construction projects and lists examples rather than every possible project.
    “Permits for most construction projects are required”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Required — Most construction projects in unincorporated McLean County.
      “Permits for most construction projects are required before that construction starts.”
  • Building code adoptedPartial

    Commercial buildings in unincorporated McLean County.

    • Commercial buildings must comply with building codes adopted by the Illinois Capital Development Board for non-building-code jurisdictions.
    • The source identifies the 2021 or later International Building Code and the 2020 or later National Electrical Code.
    • The requirement excludes a single-family dwelling containing two or fewer apartments, condominiums, or townhomes and a farm building exempted from Section 3 of the Illinois Architecture Practice Act.

    International Building Code edition: 2021 or later · National Electrical Code edition: 2020 or later

    “commercial buildings shall be compliant with building codes adopted by the ICDB for non-building code jurisdictions”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction subject to county construction permits.

    • The county generally makes final, foundation, and stake-out inspections.
    • A final inspection occurs before an occupancy permit is issued.
    “Final inspection before an occupancy permit is issued”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Construction subject to county construction permits.
      “Generally three inspections are made during the course of construction:”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of land, buildings, structures, additions, land improvements, relocated structures, and structures with structural alterations in areas governed by the McLean County Zoning Ordinance.

    • An occupancy permit must be issued before occupancy or use.
    • The permit certifies compliance with the zoning ordinance.
    • Lawful pre-existing occupancy or use on the effective date of the ordinance or an amendment may continue.
    • The permit application is made with the construction-permit application and is issued within 14 days after project completion, or within 14 days after a change-of-use application when no construction is involved.
    • No additional occupancy fee is charged unless the permit is sought for a change in use only; the current county fee page lists $100 for change-in-use occupancy permits and $100 for temporary occupancy permits.
    • For a construction-permit project, issuance requires completion, inspection, and certification of conformity with the approved plans and specifications.
    • For a change of use, issuance requires inspection and certification of compliance with applicable zoning-district regulations.
    • A temporary occupancy permit may be issued during completion or partial occupancy; it generally may not exceed eight consecutive months, or one year when the only remaining work is surfacing parking, loading areas, or driveways maintained reasonably dust-free.

    issuance deadline after project completion: 14 days · issuance deadline after change-of-use application without construction: 14 days · change-of-use occupancy permit fee: 100 USD (Current fee page states fees are subject to change by County Board action.) · temporary occupancy permit fee: 100 USD (Current fee page states fees are subject to change by County Board action.) · temporary occupancy permit duration: <= 8 consecutive months maximum (May be valid for one year when the only work remaining is surfacing parking, loading areas, or driveways and the area is maintained in a reasonably dust-free condition.)

    “until an occupancy permit shall have been issued”
  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning in unincorporated McLean County.

    • The ordinance applies to the unincorporated area; incorporated municipalities may have their own regulations.
    “The unincorporated area of the county is divided into districts or zones.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    County zoning regulation of land uses and the location of improvements in unincorporated McLean County.

    • The county page states that the unincorporated area is divided into zoning districts or zones.
    • Allowed uses depend on the applicable district.
    • The county page does not establish that county zoning applies inside incorporated municipalities.
    “The unincorporated area of the county is divided into districts or zones.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Published zoning districts and maps for unincorporated McLean County.

    • The official page publishes county and Bloomington-Normal-area zoning maps.
    • The page identifies one agriculture district, two residential districts, one commercial district, and two industrial districts.

    agriculture districts: 1 district · residential districts: 2 districts · commercial districts: 1 district · industrial districts: 2 districts

    “Zoning districts include one agriculture district, two residential districts, one commercial district, and two industrial districts.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published — Published zoning districts and zoning maps for unincorporated McLean County.
      “Certain types of uses are allowed in each of these districts.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Multi-family developments governed by the county zoning ordinance.

    • The cited standards apply to multi-family development as part of site-plan review.
    • Net living area excludes basements, open porches, terraces, patios, garages, car ports, and facilities serving more than one dwelling unit.

    efficiency-unit net living area: 375 square feet · one-bedroom-unit net living area: 500 square feet · two-bedroom-unit net living area: 750 square feet · three-bedroom-unit net living area: 850 square feet · four-or-more-bedroom-unit net living area: 950 square feet

    “A minimum net living area for each dwelling unit (exclusive of basements, open porches, terraces, patios, garages, car ports, and facilities such as heating, cooling and laundry serving more than one dwelling unit) shall be as follows: (1) 375 square feet for efficiency units; (2) 500 square feet for one bedroom units; (3) 750 square feet for two bedroom units; (4) 850 square feet for three bedroom units; and (5) 950 square feet for a unit with four or more bedrooms.”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Residential zoning districts and agricultural dwelling lots in unincorporated McLean County.

    • The ordinance provides district-specific minimum lot areas.
    • For one residential district, the ordinance states 22,500 square feet for a dwelling served by an individual sewage-disposal system and 12,000 square feet for a dwelling served by public or community sanitary sewer and water.
    • Agricultural-district farm-operator and farm-owner dwelling provisions include one-acre minimums and special-use requirements above stated maximum areas.

    minimum lot area with individual sewage disposal: >= 22500 square feet · minimum lot area with public or community sanitary sewer and water: >= 12000 square feet · farm operator or farm owner dwelling minimum lot area: >= 1 acre

    “Not less than 22,500 square feet for each dwelling unit served by individual sewage disposal system.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Setback areas and yard requirements in unincorporated McLean County zoning districts.

    • The ordinance defines exterior front, exterior street-side, interior side, and interior rear setbacks.
    • Numeric setback distances vary by district and use; the complete schedule was not extracted in this run.
    “Exterior Setback: A minimum of 30 feet except a minimum of 150 feet for any building or structure sheltering livestock or poultry.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — County zoning districts in unincorporated McLean County, including properties fronting collector or arterial streets and corner or double-frontage lots.
      “Where the property fronts on a collector or an arterial street, the required front yard shall be modified as follows: (1) Arterial Street: The front yard setback shall be measured from the centerline of the street and shall be equal to the requirement of the particular zoning district plus 50 feet. (2) Collector Street: The front yard setback shall be measured from the centerline of the street and shall be equal to the requirement of the particular zoning district plus 40 feet.”
  • Lot coverageSpecified

    Residential zoning districts in unincorporated McLean County.

    • The ordinance provides district-specific maximum lot coverage and accessory-building area limits.
    • One provision sets maximum lot coverage at 35 percent and accessory-building limits by lot area.

    maximum lot coverage: 35 percent (district-specific accessory-building limits also apply)

    “D. Maximum Lot Coverage: 35 percent. Total area of accessory buildings, including attached garages, shall not exceed the following:”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Building-height controls in unincorporated McLean County zoning districts.

    • The ordinance states that its regulations regulate the height and size of structures.
    • Numeric height limits vary by use and district; the complete general schedule was not extracted in this run.
    “Principal Structure: Not more than two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Structures in county zoning districts in unincorporated McLean County.
      “Chimneys, cooling towers, elevator head houses, fire towers, grain elevators, monuments, stacks, stage towers, or scenery lofts, tanks, water towers, ornamental towers, spires, church steeples, and necessary mechanical appurtenances, usually required to be placed above the roof level and not intended for human occupancy, are not subject to the height limitations contained in the District Regulations.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Recreational-vehicle occupancy in a county recreational-vehicle park.

    • The county ordinance describes recreational-vehicle parks as providing space for recreational vehicles intended for short-term occupancy.
    • Permanent placement is allowed only if the recreational vehicle has not been built onto and its owner has a bona fide residence at another location.
    • The park must be at least two acres, limited to no more than 20 spaces per acre, and satisfy spacing, access, sanitation, site-plan, and licensing requirements.
    • Mobile homes and manufactured homes are not allowed in the recreational-vehicle park.

    minimum recreational-vehicle park tract: >= 2 acres · maximum recreational-vehicle spaces: <= 20 per acre

    “Recreational Vehicle Parks shall be permitted subject to the following conditions:”
  • Tiny homesLimited

    Occupancy of a tiny home used as a single-family dwelling in unincorporated McLean County.

    • The ordinance does not define or expressly name a 'tiny home'; applicability therefore depends on the proposed structure qualifying as a single-family dwelling or another regulated use.
    • The use must be allowed in the applicable zoning district; the County states that the unincorporated area is divided into districts and that uses vary by district.
    • The dwelling must meet the minimum exterior width of 22 feet.
    • Ground-floor area must be at least 800 square feet, or at least 700 square feet for a dwelling unit having more than one story.
    • The roof must have a minimum vertical rise of four feet for each 12 feet of horizontal run and must use a type of shingle commonly used in standard residential construction in the County.
    • A construction permit is required before covered construction begins, and an occupancy permit is required before the building is occupied or used.
    • Applicable sewage-disposal, water-supply, subdivision, flood-hazard, and other County requirements also apply.

    minimum exterior width: >= 22 feet · minimum ground-floor area: >= 800 square feet (700 square feet minimum for dwelling units having more than one story) · minimum roof rise: 4 feet vertical rise per 12 feet horizontal run

    “Single-family and duplex dwelling unit. The following standards shall apply to all single-family and duplex dwelling units. The minimum exterior width of a single-family or duplex home shall be 22 feet. Ground floor area shall be not less than 800 square feet, except that for dwelling units having more than one story, the minimum ground floor area shall be 700 square feet. The pitch of the roof of the single-family and duplex home shall have a minimum vertical rise of four feet for each 12 feet of horizontal run and the roof shall be finished with a type of shingle that is commonly used in standard residential construction in the County.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured/mobile-home placement and occupancy under the McLean County Zoning Ordinance.

    • Manufactured homes/mobile homes are not permitted in any district as a principal or accessory building or structure except for the listed exceptions.
    • Exceptions include contractor office or storage structures without cooking or sleeping facilities that are removed at the end of construction; qualifying recreational vehicles; manufactured/mobile homes in an approved manufactured-home park; and a provisional accessory residential use under the following section.
    • The provisional accessory residential use is limited to one manufactured/mobile home on a lot where a lawfully located single-family dwelling was destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by fire, explosion, or natural disaster.
    • The home may not be placed or occupied until the Director of Building and Zoning issues a Provisional Occupancy Permit.
    • The application must include an owner's sworn affidavit to rebuild, McLean County Health Department approval of sewage disposal and potable water, evidence of the required surety, and other information the Director may require.
    • Occupancy is limited to persons residing in the destroyed or damaged dwelling when the destruction or damage occurred.
    • The unit must have at least 400 square feet, built-in toilet and bathing facilities, approved potable water and sewage systems, and comply with accessory-building location requirements.
    • Placement and residential occupancy must begin within the first 30 days after the destruction or damage.
    • The unit may not remain more than 30 days after placement without a valid construction permit; more than 120 days after that permit unless repair or construction is substantially underway; or more than one year after the destruction or damage, or until the dwelling is reasonably occupiable, whichever comes first.
    • A $1,500 cash or certified-check surety deposit is required; it may be forfeited for exceeding the time limits and is returned no sooner than 10 days and no later than 30 days after certified removal.

    minimum floor area: >= 400 square feet (Applies to the provisional accessory residential use described in Section 109(5).) · residential occupancy start deadline: <= 30 days after destruction or damage (Applies to the provisional accessory residential use described in Section 109(5).) · maximum period after placement without construction permit: <= 30 days (Unless a valid construction permit for repair or replacement has been acquired.) · maximum period after construction permit: <= 120 days (Unless repair or construction is substantially underway.) · maximum period after destruction or damage: <= 1 year (Or until repair/reconstruction reaches a stage where the dwelling can reasonably be occupied, whichever comes first.) · surety deposit: 1500 USD (Cash or certified check; forfeiture and return conditions apply.)

    “shall not be permitted in any district [...] except as follows:”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory residential dwellings in county-zoned districts where the ordinance permits them as accessory uses.

    • The ordinance contains district-specific accessory-dwelling provisions, including provisions for a property on which a church, chapel, temple, or synagogue is located.
    • The source reviewed did not establish a countywide authorization for accessory dwellings on all residential lots.
    “A property on which a church, chapel, temple or synagogue is located may also contain an accessory residential dwelling”
  • Who permits septicCounty

    Private sewage disposal systems serving facilities and homes not served by public sewer systems.

    • The administering county body is the McLean County Health Department's Private Sewage Disposal Program.
    • The program also investigates sewage complaints and tests and licenses installers.
    “The McLean County Health Department investigates complaints regarding sewage disposal.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • County (with conditions) — Private sewage disposal systems in McLean County, especially facilities and homes not served by public sewer.
      “The Private Sewage Disposal Program regulates methods of disposing sewage”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Private sewage disposal installations administered by the McLean County Private Sewage Disposal Program.

    • The program applies to facilities and homes not served by public sewer systems.
    • Plan approval and compliance with applicable state and county rules are also part of the program.
    “Private Sewage Disposal Program Activities Approving plans for new sewage disposal installations Inspecting private sewage disposal systems Investigating sewage complaints Issuing private sewage disposal permits Maintaining EPA-regulated treatment systems Testing and licensing of installers”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Water-supply documentation for county building-permit applications.

    • For R1 and R2 residential districts, the permit documentation requires a public or private water supply.
    • If the supply is public, approval from the municipality or water district is required.
    • The cited source does not establish a universal sewer-connection requirement.
    “PUBLIC OR PRIVATE WATER SUPPLY ? (If public water supply, approval from municipality or water district)”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural buildings in unincorporated McLean County zoning areas.

    • For an agricultural building on a parcel of less than 40 acres of tillable land, the applicant must submit a signed statement on a form prescribed by the Director of Building and Zoning attesting to the authenticity of the agricultural use.
    • The applicant bears the burden of proof.
    • The ordinance states that substantial income from agricultural activities on the parcel establishes a genuine agricultural use.

    tillable acreage threshold: < 40 acres (signed agricultural-use statement required)

    “Whenever a structure is being constructed as an agricultural building on parcels of less than 40 acres of tillable land the applicant shall submit to the Director of Building and Zoning a signed statement upon a form prescribed by the Director of Building and Zoning attesting to the authenticity of the agricultural use. The burden of proof that the parcel is a genuine agricultural operation is placed on the applicant.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Division of land outside cities, towns, and villages in McLean County.

    • A tract split into two or more parts may be subject to subdivision requirements.
    • Some one-lot subdivisions may be exempt, approved administratively, or require County Board approval.
    “The Building and Zoning Department is charged with regulating the division of land”
  • Driveway accessLimited

    Building-permit applications in county zoning districts.

    • The permit-documentation sheet lists an entrance permit for agriculture, single-family dwelling, residential, commercial, manufacturing, and church categories.
    • The zoning ordinance separately prohibits residential-district land from being used for driveway, walkway, or access to commercial or industrial land.
    “6. ENTRANCE PERMIT 7. ACCESSORY BUILDING CERTIFICATE 8. E-911 ADDRESS”
  • Building in a floodplainLimited

    Uses subject to applicable flood-hazard regulations under the county zoning ordinance.

    • Applications must include elevation and other data necessary to determine compliance with applicable flood-hazard regulations.
    • The cited passage concerns sewage-disposal facilities proposed for the use and does not establish the complete floodplain-permit process.
    “The application shall be accompanied by such elevation and other data necessary to determine compliance with any applicable flood hazard regulations of this ordinance.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Published McLean County zoning, subdivision, building-permit, and occupancy-permit fees.

    • Fees are subject to change by County Board action and applicants are instructed to verify current fees with the Building and Zoning Department.
    • The page states that required newspaper-publication costs are paid by the applicant before a zoning-board hearing.
    • County Board, committee, and Regional Planning Commission applications are exempt from the listed fees.
    • There is no filing fee for an appeal, but the applicant remains responsible for required publication costs.

    single-family dwelling permit fee: 375 USD (regardless of size) · change-of-use occupancy permit: 100 USD · temporary occupancy permit: 100 USD · preliminary subdivision plan: 375 plus 40 per lot USD · final subdivision plat: 225 plus 40 per lot USD

    “Single Family Dwellings - regardless of size | $375”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Published county zoning, subdivision, building, occupancy, and related permit fees.
      “Single Family Dwellings - regardless of size | $375”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    County construction, occupancy, zoning, and subdivision permit processes in unincorporated McLean County.

    • Construction permits generally precede construction.
    • Occupancy permits are issued after completion or a change of use.
    • Applications may require plans, specifications, sewage-disposal certification, road-access certification, and flood-hazard data.
    “Occupancy permits are issued upon completion of the construction project”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — County construction-permit process for most construction projects.
      “Occupancy permits are issued upon completion of the construction project, or when the use of the land changes.”

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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.”
  • 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.

  • Camping on your land — Temporary camping outside a regulated recreational-vehicle park in unincorporated McLean County.

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 McLean County, Illinois

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

McLean County scores 48/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: mixed durability signals and higher long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: workable self-sufficiency basics (38.3″/yr rainfall).

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

McLean County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by McLean County Health Department, Environmental Health Division (Private Sewage Disposal Program). 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.

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

Living in an RV on your own land in McLean County is limited to specific cases: Recreational-vehicle occupancy in a county recreational-vehicle park. The county ordinance describes recreational-vehicle parks as providing space for recreational vehicles intended for short-term occupancy. Permanent placement is allowed only if the recreational vehicle has not been built onto and its owner has a bona fide residence at another location. A tiny home is limited to specific cases. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in McLean County, Illinois?

Land in McLean County runs about $7,074 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in McLean County?

McLean County gets about 38.3" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 2.7% of years.

How remote is McLean County?

A representative private-land location has about 14,913 people within a 30-minute drive and 3,994,156 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 McLean compares in Illinois

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