Bolthole Index

Stephenson County, Illinois

Building permits, zoning and septic rules in the Village of Davis, Illinois

The Village of Davis, Illinois requires a permit for new building construction and for water and sewer hookups, and the village's own Building Permits and Inspections Department handles it12. The village has its own zoning ordinance reviewed by its Zoning Board3. Septic permits and well permits for Davis addresses come from the Stephenson County Health Department4.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for new building construction inside the village1
Who issues it
Village of Davis Building Permits and Inspections Department5
Zoning
Village zoning ordinance exists; the text and district tables are not posted online3
Septic
Stephenson County Health Department4
RV living
Only with village board permission; trailer camps are banned67
Manufactured homes
Allowed with conditions, including a minimum width of 24 feet8
Wells
County well permit where public water is not available9

Who to call

Building permits

Village of Davis Building Permits & Inspections

Building permits and construction inspections inside Davis village limits

(815) 865-5792

104 E. McKimmey, Davis, IL 61019

Zoning

Village of Davis Zoning Board

Zoning amendments, site plans and plat applications inside Davis village limits

(815) 865-5792

104 E. McKimmey, Davis, IL 61019

Septic permits

Stephenson County Health Department Environmental Office

Septic system and well permits and inspections for Stephenson County, including Davis

815-599-0344

50 W Douglas Ave, Ste 902 Freeport IL 61032

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 24, 2026.

Off-grid gear

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

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Do you need a building permit in the Village of Davis, Illinois?

Yes. The Village of Davis lists new building construction and water and sewer hookups among the projects that require a village permit1. The Village of Davis Building Permits and Inspections Department permits construction inside village limits and inspects construction-related permits52. Forms are on the village website, or the office will provide them by phone10. We could not confirm permit fees, review steps or timelines, so ask the village office before you plan a budget or schedule.

The state does not issue building permits for privately funded construction; any permit requirement comes from the local government11. Davis's own permit requirement applies inside village limits only; land outside the village falls under Stephenson County, whose rules differ.

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

The Village of Davis Building Permits and Inspections Department issues building permits and inspects construction inside the village2. The office is at the village hall, 104 E. McKimmey, and the phone is (815) 865-57922. Forms for both residential and commercial permits can be downloaded from the village site or requested by calling10.

The village's zoning questions go to its Zoning Board, which reviews zoning amendments, site plans and plat applications12. The Stephenson County Building and Zoning Department does not handle permits for land inside Davis; the county's own materials direct anyone inside an incorporated village to that village for permit requirements13.

Does Davis have zoning, and what does it mean for RVs, tiny homes and setbacks?

Davis has its own zoning ordinance, and its Zoning Board reviews amendments to it3. The ordinance text and district tables were not available online when we looked, and the village page says more zoning information will be added3. For that reason we could not confirm minimum lot sizes, setbacks, lot coverage, height limits, accessory dwelling rules or whether a tiny home is allowed. Ask the village office at (815) 865-5792 which district a parcel is in before you buy2.

Subdivision and land splits inside the village are also regulated; the Zoning Board reviews plat applications14.

Manufactured housing is allowed under conditions. A unit must be bought new, at least 24 feet wide unless a variance is granted, and set on a permanent foundation8. Plan on no more than two manufactured units within one block unless a variance is granted15.

How do septic permits work inside Davis?

Septic permits and inspections for new or repaired systems in Stephenson County come from the Stephenson County Health Department, not from the village4. Illinois requires plan approval before any new private sewage disposal system is built16. The Health Department's environmental office is reachable at 815-599-034417.

We could not confirm whether the village's own code adds septic rules inside Davis, or how it treats a new system on a lot that has no village sewer, so ask both the village office and the county Environmental Office before relying on a septic system. Village water and sewer hookups require a village permit1.

County soils data suggests that, across Stephenson County, about 42.2% of soils are rated not limited for a conventional drain field, so a site evaluation is still worth requesting18.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home in Davis?

Living in an RV on a lot in Davis is limited. Trailers, including recreational vehicles, may be located in the village only with permission granted by resolution or ordinance of the village board, and residential occupancy of a trailer on private land otherwise needs that permission6. Recreational trailers may be used on private property for preparation or winterization for no more than three days6. Tourist or trailer camps are not permitted inside village limits7.

The village's rules for tiny homes were not found, and a tiny home on a permanent foundation may fall under the zoning ordinance, which we could not read. Call the village office before buying2.

How do you build a home in Davis? The steps, in order

  1. Call the Village of Davis office at (815) 865-5792 and ask which zoning district the parcel is in and what the zoning ordinance allows there23.
  2. Ask the village whether it needs a zoning variance for your plan; the village has a zoning variance application form2.
  3. Download or request the village permit application for new building construction101.
  4. Contact the Stephenson County Health Department Environmental Office about septic or well permits at 815-599-0344417.
  5. Start construction only after the permit is issued, and expect inspections by the village department15.
  6. Water and sewer hookups also require a village permit1.

What stays with Stephenson County, and what should you check before buying in Davis?

Septic and well permits stay with Stephenson County49. The county code also requires a premises with a street, alley or easement that has a public water system to connect to it when the premises are within 200 feet and connection is practical19. The county exempts some residential activities when Illinois well and drinking water conditions are met, and the health administrator decides that19.

For land outside village limits, see the Stephenson County page; unincorporated rules there do not apply inside Davis. Property taxes are a county-level figure: Stephenson County's effective property tax rate is 2.5%20.

Watch-outs

  • We could not confirm Davis's zoning district rules, minimum lot sizes, setbacks or tiny-home rules, because the zoning ordinance text was not available online; ask the village office at (815) 865-5792 before you buy32.
  • We could not confirm village building permit fees, review timelines or whether the village has adopted a building code, so ask the Building Permits and Inspections Department10.
  • RV living inside Davis needs village board permission, and trailer camps are banned67.
  • Septic and well permits come from the Stephenson County Health Department, not the village4.

Sources

  1. Village of Davis: Frequently Asked Questions (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  2. Village of Davis Building Permits & Inspections (villageofdavis.com)
  3. Village of Davis: Planning & Zoning (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  4. Stephenson County Health Department Programs & Services Directory, quoted and re-checked
  5. Village of Davis: Building Permits & Inspections (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  6. Davis, IL Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing): Title XV table of contents and Chapter 151 manufactured housing and trailer camps (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  7. Davis, IL Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing): Title XV table of contents and Chapter 151 manufactured housing and trailer camps (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  8. Davis, IL Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing): Title XV table of contents and Chapter 151 manufactured housing and trailer camps (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  9. Stephenson County, IL Code Chapter 391 Wells (ecode360) (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  10. Village of Davis: Building Permits & Inspections (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  11. Illinois Codes FAQ (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  12. Village of Davis Zoning Board (villageofdavis.com)
  13. Zoning FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  14. Davis, IL Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing): Title XV table of contents and Chapter 151 manufactured housing and trailer camps (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  15. Davis, IL Code of Ordinances (American Legal Publishing): Title XV table of contents and Chapter 151 manufactured housing and trailer camps (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  16. 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 Installation Approval (Illinois statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  17. Stephenson County Health Department Environmental Office (stephensoncountyil.gov)
  18. 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
  19. Stephenson County, IL Code Chapter 391 Wells (ecode360) (Village of Davis), quoted and re-checked
  20. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data

Written October 24, 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 Village of Davis

Village of Davis’s own rules

  • Building permitRequired

    New building construction and water/sewer hookups inside Davis village limits

    • The village's FAQ lists permit-requiring projects, including water/sewer hookup and new building construction.
    • Permit application forms are available from the village; the permit application PDF was not opened.
    • Construction may proceed only after permit issuance.
    “the following is a list of projects requiring a permit. water/sewer hookup new building construction roof solar panels open burning public land excavation fence swimming pool raffles soliciting”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction-related permits issued by the Village of Davis Building Permits and Inspections Department

    • Inspections are conducted by the village's Building Permits and Inspections Department for construction-related permits.
    • Inspection schedule, scope and the adopted inspection standard were not stated on the page.
    “they are responsible for permitting all construction and conducting inspections of all construction-related permits and special events.”
  • Local zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Land inside Davis village corporate limits, under the village's own zoning ordinance

    • The village page confirms zoning ordinances exist and that the Zoning Board reviews amendments to them, but the zoning ordinance text and district tables were not located on the online code.
    • The American Legal Publishing code's Title XV (chapters 150-156) contains no zoning chapter; the code's own disclaimer says it may not reflect the most current legislation.
    • Zoning applies to uses only as set by the ordinance text, which was not retrieved; conditional status reflects that.
    “the zoning board reviews proposed amendments to zoning ordinances, site plans and plat applications, and also makes recommendations to the council regarding the current and future development of the village of davis.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Manufactured housing installed or used for residential purposes inside Davis village limits (not site-built dwellings)

    • The unit must be purchased new for conversion to a permanent structure and affixed to a permanent foundation.
    • The minimum width is waived only with a variance.
    • Ordinance 19a, passed 7-9-1996, per the code history note.

    minimum width of manufactured unit: >= 24 feet (unless a variance has been obtained)

    “(d) the minimum width of the unit shall be 24 feet unless a variance has been obtained;”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    Trailers (including recreational vehicles, camp cars and house cars) located on public or private land inside Davis village corporate limits

    • Trailers may be located only with permission granted by resolution or ordinance of the village board of trustees; the residential occupancy of a trailer on private land otherwise requires that permission.
    • Recreational trailers may be used temporarily on private property for preparation or winterization for no more than three days.
    • Trailers replaced by the present owner or occupant are addressed in §151.17(d); trailers may not be sold and occupied in place under §151.17(e).
    • The code's own disclaimer says it may not reflect the most current legislation; this chapter dates from 1969 with later amendments.

    recreational trailer occupancy on private property for preparation or winterization: <= 3 days (recreational trailers only, for preparation or winterization)

    “however, recreational trailers are allowed temporarily on private property for the purposes of preparation or winterization, but may not occupy the premises for more than three days.”
  • Camping on your landProhibited

    Tourist or trailer camps inside Davis village limits

    • Trailer camps of two or more tents or auto trailers are prohibited by this section; the ban has no exception stated in §151.17(a).
    • Recreational trailers may be used temporarily on private property for winterization for up to three days (§151.17(b)(1)), which is not a camp.
    “(a) at no time shall a tourist or trailer camp be permitted to be located within the village limits.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured housing used for residential, business or storage purposes inside Davis village limits

    • Each unit must have been purchased new for conversion to a permanent structure and must not have been used for travel occupancy, except to move it to its site.
    • The unit must be affixed to a permanent cement or masonry foundation below the frost line, at least six inches wide, extending one foot above grade, with a continuous wall.
    • The unit needs a shingled roof with at least a 3/12 pitch and wooden floor joists.
    • No more than two manufactured housing units within one block unless a variance has been obtained.
    • Trailers used by contractors or construction crews as temporary site headquarters are exempt from §151.02.
    • Ordinance 19a, passed 7-9-1996, per the code history note.

    minimum width of unit: >= 24 feet (unless a variance has been obtained) · maximum length of unit: <= 75 feet (unless a variance has been obtained) · manufactured housing units per block: <= 2 units (unless a variance has been obtained) · permanent foundation width: >= 6 inches

    “there is to be a limit of no more than two manufactured housing units within one block unless a variance has been obtained.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Land divisions and new subdivisions inside Davis village limits

    • The village zoning page says the Zoning Board reviews plat applications.
    • The code's Title XV includes chapter 154 (subdivisions generally) and chapter 155 (new subdivisions); their text was not opened, so approval standards are unverified.
    “the zoning board reviews proposed amendments to zoning ordinances, site plans and plat applications, and also makes recommendations to the council regarding the current and future development of the village of davis.”
  • Permit processPartial

    Residential and commercial construction permits inside Davis village limits

    • Forms are downloaded from the village site if available, or obtained by calling the office.
    • Review steps, timelines and submittal requirements are not stated on the page.
    • Office: 104 E. McKimmey, Davis IL; (815) 865-5792.
    “to obtain a permit for both residential and commercial uses, simply download the forms below (if available) or give us a call and we will be happy to provide you with the necessary forms.”

Rules another office applies inside Village of Davis

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

  • Well permitRequired

    Private water well construction inside Davis village limits, where the well is not served by public water. The county ordinance is countywide; it is recorded as a county rule that reaches the village.

    • The table of contents lists a permit requirement section; its operative text was not opened.
    • Exemptions for agricultural, residential and commercial activities apply under §391-10 as summarized in the connection claim.
    • Public water connection, where required, takes precedence (see utility connection claim).
    “it shall be unlawful for any person to construct or deepen a private well within the county who does not have a valid permit issued to him/her by the county health department.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupWater (with conditions)

    A new home on premises inside Davis village abutting a street, alley or easement with a public water system. Stephenson County's ordinance applies there; it is recorded here as a county rule that reaches the village, not a village ordinance.

    • Connection is required only if the premises are a reasonable distance, not to exceed 200 feet, from the system and connection is practical and permitted by the controlling authority.
    • Premises served by public water must have an individual connection.
    • An exemption is granted to agricultural, residential and commercial activities if Illinois well and drinking water code conditions are met as of the application date; the health administrator decides whether conditions are met.
    • No sewer connection requirement was established; sewer is not covered by this claim.

    distance to public or community water main for mandatory connection: <= 200 feet (connection must be practical and permitted by the controlling authority; exemption for agricultural, residential and commercial activities meeting IDPH conditions)

    “any premises abutting on a street, alley or easement in which there is a public or community water system shall connect to that system if the premises to be served are a reasonable distance, not to exceed 200 feet, and if connection is practical and permitted by the controlling authority.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Village of Davis or Stephenson County directly.

  • Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builders constructing their own home inside Davis village limits
  • Building code adopted — Construction in Davis village limits
  • Certificate of occupancy — Occupancy of new homes inside Davis village limits
  • Zoning districts — Zoning districts of Davis village
  • Minimum lot size — Residential lots inside Davis village limits
13 more unanswered
  • Setbacks
  • Lot coverage
  • Building height
  • Tiny homes
  • Accessory dwellings
  • Septic permit
  • Septic inspection
  • Off-grid sanitation
  • Agricultural exemption
  • Driveway access
  • Building in a floodplain
  • 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 Village of Davis publishes no rule on the point, not that none exists. Stephenson County’s page lists the county offices to call.

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