Bolthole Index

McLean County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in Hudson Township, Illinois

Unincorporated land in Hudson Township, McLean County, Illinois falls under McLean County zoning, and most construction there needs a county building permit before work starts12. Septic permits for homes without public sewer come from the McLean County Health Department3. We could not confirm what the Village of Hudson requires inside its own limits.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for most construction on unincorporated land (McLean County)2
Zoning
McLean County zoning applies to unincorporated land; we could not confirm a separate township ordinance4
Septic
McLean County Health Department issues private sewage disposal permits3
RV living
Occupancy generally limited to RV parks or camps; short family camping allowed56
Manufactured homes
Allowed in approved parks; otherwise only a provisional replacement after loss of a house7
Property tax
Effective rate of 2.3% countywide8

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

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 23, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in Hudson Township, Illinois?

On unincorporated land in Hudson Township, McLean County, the county requires permits for most construction before the work begins, and new homes, additions and detached buildings are on its list2. No development or construction may start until every required review, approval and permit has been obtained9.

The State of Illinois does not itself issue building permits for privately funded construction; any permit requirement comes from the local government10. The Village of Hudson sits inside the township and is a separate municipality. We could not confirm its permit rules, so ask the village before building inside its limits.

Who issues building permits in Hudson Township, and how do you reach them?

For unincorporated Hudson Township, the McLean County Department of Building and Zoning regulates construction, zoning, flood hazard and subdivision11. Its office is at 115 E. Washington St. Rm M102 in Bloomington, and the phone number is listed below11. The county generally makes three inspections during construction: stake-out, foundation and a final inspection before an occupancy permit12.

The township itself is not listed as a permit office. We could not confirm whether it adopts any rules of its own, and the county's own zoning ordinance governs the unincorporated area1.

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

The unincorporated part of McLean County, including Hudson Township, is divided into zoning districts: agriculture, R-1 and R-2 residence, commercial, two manufacturing districts and a flood plain overlay1. Lot and setback rules depend on the district.

In the R-1 single-family district, a lot on a septic system needs at least 22,500 square feet per dwelling13. R-1 principal structures sit at least 30 feet from the front lot line, 20 feet from each side and 40 feet from the rear14. A non-farm house lot on unsuitable farmland in the agriculture district must be at least one acre and no more than three, and larger lots need a special use permit15. Residential structures in the agriculture district keep 30 feet at the front, 20 feet on each side and 40 feet at the rear16. R-1 homes are capped at two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less17. Lot creation also falls under the county subdivision ordinance18.

How do septic permits work in Hudson Township, Illinois?

Homes in Hudson Township that are not served by public sewer need a private sewage disposal system, and the McLean County Health Department's Environmental Health Division approves plans and issues the permits319. Illinois requires plan approval and a permit for any new private sewage system statewide20. We could not confirm that the county program covers every part of the township, so confirm with the health department before you buy.

County soil data suggests a conventional drain field is a gamble: only about 8% of McLean County soils rate as not limited for one, so expect a site evaluation and possibly an engineered system21. We did not find a county rule on private well permits; Illinois requires a permit to construct, modify or seal a water well22.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Hudson Township?

On unincorporated land, McLean County treats an occupied RV as lawful only in an RV park, institutional camp or recreational camp; an RV parked on a lot is allowed only when unoccupied and lawfully stored5. The county does allow a family recreation area of up to two tents or RVs for no more than 45 days a year, and no more than 15 days in a row, for the owner, family and occasional non-paying guests6.

Manufactured and mobile homes are limited to approved manufactured home parks, or a provisional replacement after a house is destroyed, with a permit from the director of building and zoning7. We found no county tiny-home rule; ask the Building and Zoning Department how a tiny home would be classed. Inside the Village of Hudson, the village's rules govern and we could not confirm them.

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

  1. Ask the McLean County Department of Building and Zoning which zoning district the parcel is in, since lot size and setbacks differ by district111.
  2. Confirm whether the parcel lies inside the Village of Hudson; if it does, call the village instead.
  3. Contact the McLean County Health Department about private sewage plan approval before you finalize a house design19.
  4. Get every required county approval and building permit before work starts9.
  5. Schedule the county's stake-out, foundation and final inspections12.

What to check before you buy land in Hudson Township?

Look at flood risk first: development in the county flood plain overlay needs a floodplain permit, and an RV on a site more than 180 days a year must meet elevation rules unless listed conditions are met23. Check the zoning district, the septic evaluation and the property tax bill. McLean County's effective property tax rate is 2.3% and the median bill is $4,503 a year824. Farmland across McLean County averages $7,074 an acre25. For land outside Hudson Township, see the McLean County page.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm whether Hudson Township adopts any zoning ordinance of its own, or what the Village of Hudson requires inside its limits; ask the village and the McLean County Department of Building and Zoning before you commit4.
  • Whether the county septic program covers every part of the township was not stated on the page we reviewed, so confirm with the McLean County Health Department26.
  • We could not confirm a general certificate of occupancy rule, a minimum dwelling size or an accessory dwelling rule for the township; ask the Building and Zoning Department11.

Sources

  1. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  2. Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  3. McLean County Health Department: Septic Systems (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  4. Zoning, quoted and re-checked
  5. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  6. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  7. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  8. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  9. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  10. Illinois Codes FAQ (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  11. McLean County Building & Zoning Department (mcleancountyil.gov)
  12. Construction Permits, quoted and re-checked
  13. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  14. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  15. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  16. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  17. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  18. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  19. McLean County Health Department — Environmental Health Division (health.mcleancountyil.gov)
  20. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  21. 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
  22. 77 Ill. Admin. Code 920.130, Water Well Permit Requirements (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  23. McLean County, Illinois Zoning Ordinance (Chapter 40) (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked
  24. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  25. Farmland value per acre (USDA census): Bolthole Index county data
  26. McLean County Health Department: Septic Systems (Hudson Township), quoted and re-checked

Written October 23, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

Answers from the rulebook for Hudson Township

Rules another office applies inside Hudson Township

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

  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts in unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Districts listed: agriculture, R-1 single-family residence, R-2 two-family residence, commercial, M-1 restricted manufacturing, M-2 general manufacturing, and FP flood plain overlay.
    • The zoning map is incorporated into the ordinance; the map was not opened.
    • Districts apply only in the unincorporated area of McLean County.
    “the unincorporated portions of mclean county, illinois are hereby organized into the following districts:”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Single-family dwelling lot in the R-1 single-family residential district, unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Lots served by individual sewage disposal need at least 22,500 square feet per dwelling unit.
    • Lots served by public or community sanitary sewer and water need at least 12,000 square feet per dwelling unit.
    • Maximum lot area is three acres under the R-1 intensity provisions.
    • Minimum lot width is 150 feet for lots over one acre, 120 feet for lots between one acre and 22,500 square feet, and 100 feet for lots under 22,500 square feet; minimum average depth is 150 feet or 100 feet by lot size.
    • The Village of Hudson's own lot rules are not covered by this county claim.

    minimum lot area, individual sewage disposal: >= 22500 sq ft (each dwelling unit served by individual sewage disposal system) · minimum lot area, public or community sewer and water: >= 12000 sq ft (each dwelling unit served by a public or community sanitary sewer and water system)

    “not less than 22,500 square feet for each dwelling unit served by individual sewage disposal system.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Non-farm single-family dwelling lot on land unsuitable for farming in the agriculture (A) district, unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois
      “the required minimum lot area is one acre and the maximum permissible lot area is three acres. lot areas in excess of this limit require the issuance of a special use permit.”
  • SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Principal structures in the R-1 single-family residential district, unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Exterior (front) setback is 30 feet, except 150 feet for any building or structure sheltering livestock or poultry.
    • Interior side setback is 20 feet on each side; an existing lot under 100 feet wide used for a single-family dwelling may reduce this to five feet.
    • Interior rear setback is 40 feet; where the rear lot line adjoins a water impoundment within 40 feet of the water line, the rear yard may be reduced to 20 feet.
    • Accessory structures have separate setback rules in the general provisions.

    exterior setback: >= 30 feet (150 feet for buildings sheltering livestock or poultry) · interior side setback: >= 20 feet (five feet for an existing lot under 100 feet wide used for a single-family dwelling) · interior rear setback: >= 40 feet (20 feet where rear lot line adjoins a water impoundment within 40 feet of the water line)

    “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
    • District specific (with conditions) — Residential dwellings and accessory structures in the agriculture (A) district, unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois
      “interior setbacks: (1) interior side setback: a minimum of 20 feet on each side for residential structures and a minimum of 30 feet for all other structures.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Principal and accessory structures in the R-1 single-family residential district, unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Principal structures are limited to two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.
    • Accessory structure side walls may not exceed 12 feet unless otherwise specified.

    principal structure height: <= 35 feet (two and one-half stories, whichever is less) · accessory structure side wall height: <= 12 feet (unless otherwise specified in the ordinance)

    “height regulations: a. principal structure: not more than two and one-half stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Occupying a recreational vehicle on land in unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Recreational vehicles are addressed as lawful only when located in a recreational vehicle park, institutional camp or recreational camp, or when unoccupied, unused and lawfully stored or parked.
    • Occupancy outside a recreational vehicle park or recreational camp is therefore not allowed under this general provision; the Village of Hudson's rules are not covered.
    • Floodplain limits for RVs on a site over 180 days apply separately.
    “recreational vehicles licensed for travel on the highway when lawfully located in a recreational vehicle park, institutional camp or recreational camp as provided in this ordinance; or when unoccupied and unused, and lawfully stored or parked as otherwise provided in this ordinance”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Temporary tent or recreational vehicle camping on private land in unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Defined as a family recreation area for not more than two tents or recreational vehicles.
    • Tents or vehicles may be on the premises for no more than 45 days in one calendar year, with no period of occupancy extending beyond 15 consecutive days.
    • Mobile homes and permanent buildings are not permitted in that use, except shelters open on three sides not exceeding 600 square feet.
    • Use is limited to the owner, family and occasional non-paying guests.
    • The zoning district in which this use is allowed was not verified.

    tents or recreational vehicles on premises: <= 2 units (family recreation area use) · days per calendar year: <= 45 days (no period of occupancy beyond 15 consecutive days)

    “camping areas for not more than two (2) tents or recreational vehicles, as herein defined.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Occupying a manufactured or mobile home on land in unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Allowed when located in an approved manufactured home park under the county ordinance.
    • Allowed as a provisional accessory residential use only after a lawful single-family dwelling on the lot was destroyed or made uninhabitable, and only after the director of building and zoning issues a provisional occupancy permit.
    • The provisional use requires a sworn affidavit of intent to rebuild and further conditions not reviewed in this pass.
    “manufactured homes / mobile homes or other trailers, and/or portable buildings and structures shall not be permitted in any district as a principal or accessory building or structure except as follows:”
  • Who permits septicCounty (with conditions)

    Private sewage (septic) systems on land inside Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois, where no public sewer serves the lot. The McLean County Health Department's service area was not separately confirmed for Hudson township.

    • The program covers homes and facilities not served by a public sewer system.
    • Whether the county program's service area includes Hudson township was not stated on the page opened and should be confirmed.
    • The Illinois Department of Public Health's role as state framework was not verified on an official page in this pass.
    “the private sewage disposal program regulates methods of disposing sewage from facilities and homes that are not served by public sewer systems”
  • Septic permitRequired

    New individual sewage disposal installations on land inside Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois, not served by public sewer

    • The county health department approves plans for new sewage disposal installations and issues private sewage disposal permits.
    • Application forms and fees were not found on the pages opened.
    “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”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Individual (private) sewage disposal on R-1 lots in unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Each dwelling served by an individual sewage disposal system needs at least 22,500 square feet of lot area under the R-1 district.
    • Installation requires county health department plan approval and permit under the county health program.

    minimum lot area for individual sewage disposal: >= 22500 sq ft (each dwelling unit served by individual sewage disposal system)

    “not less than 22,500 square feet for each dwelling unit served by individual sewage disposal system.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Development and lot creation in unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • The zoning ordinance is applied in conjunction with the McLean County land subdivision ordinance, which was not opened.
    • Township land-division rules from the Michigan Hudson Township site were excluded as a different jurisdiction.
    “shall apply to the development of all structures and land within the unincorporated area of mclean county and shall be in conjunction with the provisions of the land subdivision ordinance of mclean county.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development inside the county flood plain overlay (FP) district and the flood hazard ordinance area, unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Flood protection standards apply to installing a manufactured home on a new site or a new manufactured home on an existing site.
    • Travel trailers or recreational vehicles on a site more than 180 days per year must meet the elevation rules unless listed conditions are met.
    • The flood plain overlay is one of the county districts.

    travel trailer or RV days on site before elevation rules apply: > 180 days per year (unless listed conditions are met)

    “installing a travel trailer or recreational vehicle on a site for more than one hundred eighty (180) days per year”
  • Permit processPartial

    Permit and approval process for development in unincorporated Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois

    • Development review, approvals and permits must all be completed before work begins.
    • The office handling permits is the McLean County director of building and zoning; forms and step-by-step process were not located.
    “it shall be unlawful to conduct development on any parcel or the construction of any structure on a parcel until (1) all applicable development review and approval processes have been followed; (2) all applicable approvals have been obtained; and (3) all required permits or authorization to proceed have been issued.”

Still unanswered

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

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder permit exemption in Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois
  • Building code adopted — Building code adoption for land inside Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois
  • Inspections — Building inspections for land inside Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois
  • Certificate of occupancy — General certificate of occupancy for new dwellings in Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois
  • Local zoning — Land inside Hudson township, McLean County, Illinois: whether the township itself adopts and administers a zoning ordinance
11 more unanswered
  • Minimum dwelling size
  • Lot coverage
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic inspection
  • Well permit
  • Mandatory utility hookup
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Short-term rentals
  • Permit fees

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Unanswered questions are usually a sign that Hudson Township publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. McLean County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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