Building permits, zoning and land rules in Union County, Illinois
64Index Score / 100 #42 of 102 in Illinois
Union County, Illinois publishes building-permit forms, but we could not confirm the current building-permit requirement, fee, reviewing office or inspection process for unincorporated land; ask the County Treasurer before starting work1. Building permits and zoning inside Anna are administered by the city, while septic and private-well permits throughout Union County go through Southern Seven Health Department234. Countywide zoning remains unconfirmed5.
At a glance
Building permit
Current requirement and process not confirmed; ask the County Treasurer1
Required before construction; Southern Seven handles applications and inspections64
Private well
Southern Seven issues permits for new private wells74
RV or tiny-home living
Not confirmed for private land; ask the county before relying on it5
Owner-builder exemption
State law allows limited owner-occupant plumbing work, not a general building-permit exemption8
Manufactured home
General occupancy rules unconfirmed; an unoccupied mobile home kept outside a municipality for 60 consecutive days must have operational utility hookups910
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 Union County, Illinois?
Union County's site contains building-permit applications, but the current residential building-permit requirement for unincorporated Union County could not be confirmed from reliable text in those forms1. The same gap applies to building-permit fees, inspections, certificates of occupancy and the county's permit sequence, so ask the Union County Treasurer to identify the current building-permit contact before ordering materials or breaking ground1. Illinois does not issue building permits, conduct building-code inspections or issue occupancy permits for privately funded projects; those functions belong to the applicable local government when required111213. Illinois established a statewide building-code framework effective January 1, 2025; the standards for a residential project depend partly on whether the jurisdiction has adopted a local code and, in some cases, on the agreement between buyer and builder14. Union County's local code adoption remains unconfirmed, so ask the building-permit contact which standards govern the plans.
Who handles Union County building permits, and how do you reach them?
We could not confirm a dedicated Union County building department or a current official who reviews residential building-permit applications. Start with the Union County Treasurer because the county permit record identifies that office for building-permit fee payment1. Ask the Treasurer to identify the current building-permit reviewer, required drawings, fee, inspections and any occupancy document for the parcel. For work affecting a county road, contact the Union County Highway Department at 618-833-2912, 306 Mississippi Street, Jonesboro, Illinois 62952; the department designs, builds and maintains county roads15. A driveway entering a state-maintained highway instead requires an IDOT driveway permit before work starts16.
Does Union County, Illinois have zoning?
We could not confirm a countywide zoning ordinance or zoning districts for unincorporated Union County5. That does not establish that a parcel is unrestricted: subdivision controls, setbacks, lot coverage, building height, minimum lot size and minimum dwelling size all remain unconfirmed. The City of Anna administers its zoning code and issues city building permits and zoning certificates; its zoning map includes contiguous land within 1 1/2 miles of the city limits2. Southern Seven still handles septic and private-well permits for Union County addresses, including parcels where a city handles building permits or zoning4. Illinois law allows county zoning rules to establish building or setback lines and building heights outside municipalities that exercise municipal zoning, but the actual limits depend on the applicable local ordinance1718. Before closing, identify whether the parcel is governed by Anna, another municipality or unincorporated Union County; ask the County Treasurer to identify the current land-use contact for an unincorporated parcel1.
How do septic and well permits work in Union County?
IDPH regulates private sewage systems in Union County, while local health agencies may review plans under local ordinances or as IDPH agents1920. Southern Seven Health Department serves Union County, reviews applications, issues septic permits, advises on system design and inspects new systems4. State rules require plan approval before construction of a new system or specified major replacement or alteration621. For qualifying residential systems permitted after January 1, 2014, the state rule requires an evaluation before or within 3 years after installation and at least every 5 years afterward; owners must keep the maintenance records for the system's life and transfer them to the next owner22. Only 21.8% of Union County soils are rated without severe limitations for a conventional drain field, so make the site evaluation a purchase contingency23. New private wells require permits, and Southern Seven directs Union County applicants to Environmental Health2474.
Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Union County?
We could not confirm a Union County rule allowing or prohibiting full-time RV living, temporary camping or tiny-home occupancy on private land. Illinois campground rules address regulated campgrounds and temporary RV parking at those facilities; they do not decide whether one household may occupy an RV on its own parcel25. County zoning and dimensional controls also remain unconfirmed, while Anna has its own zoning administration, so ask the authority for the exact parcel about intended duration, utilities and occupancy during construction52. A manufactured home follows a state installation framework, but local zoning, building, floodplain and utility rules may still apply26. In unincorporated Union County, an unoccupied mobile home kept for 60 consecutive days must have operational electricity, water and sewage-disposal hookups10. That narrow nuisance rule neither authorizes manufactured-home occupancy nor answers the RV and tiny-home questions; Southern Seven remains the office for septic and private-well permits4.
Building a home in Union County: the steps, in order
For unincorporated land, ask the Union County Treasurer to identify the current building-permit and land-use contacts, then confirm the building-permit, inspection, occupancy and zoning requirements15. Inside Anna, obtain city building permits and zoning certificates from the city's zoning administration2.
For any Union County address, have Southern Seven evaluate the proposed home and septic area and obtain septic approval before construction46.
If using a private well, apply through Southern Seven before construction begins47.
Ask the authority handling the building permit how the statewide building-code framework and any locally adopted code apply to the plans14.
Coordinate county-road access with the Union County Highway Department, or secure an IDOT permit before work within a state-highway right-of-way1516.
Check the flood map early; IDNR authorization is required before covered floodway work, subject to statewide-permit exceptions27.
What should you check before buying land in Union County?
Start with buildability, wastewater, water, legal access and flood exposure. Only 21.8% of Union County soils avoid a severe conventional-drain-field limitation, even though 81.6% of the county's land is at a slope of 15% or less2328. Union County is 56.1% wooded and 18.5% federally owned, so verify boundaries, recorded access and whether a proposed route crosses land you do not control2930. IDNR authorization applies to covered floodway construction on rural streams draining at least 10 square miles; where no floodway is delineated, work elsewhere in the floodplain may also require authorization27. The effective property-tax rate is about 1.4%, the median annual property-tax bill is $1,851, and the typical annual home-insurance premium is $1,812313233. Confirm the well and septic sites with Southern Seven before treating the parcel as buildable76.
Watch-outs
Union County's current residential building-permit requirement, fees, inspections and reviewing office remain unconfirmed; ask the County Treasurer to identify the current building-permit contact before work begins1.
Countywide zoning and parcel-level rules for RVs, tiny homes, setbacks and minimum sizes remain unconfirmed, while Anna administers municipal zoning; identify the authority for the parcel before relying on unincorporated-county assumptions52.
Most Union County soils carry severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so do not choose the house site before a septic evaluation23.
Qualifying residential septic systems permitted after January 1, 2014 require recurring evaluations and lifetime maintenance records that transfer to the next owner22.
Floodway work may require IDNR authorization even when a minor activity qualifies for a statewide permit rather than an individual application27.
Written October 9, 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.
Union County highlighted among the Illinois counties · colored by Index score
How Union County scores
Seclusion49100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency76100% ev.
Admin Boringness4868% ev.
Durability52100% ev.
Property Autonomy42100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% ev.
Evidence strength: 95%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →
$149kTypical home
1.4%Property tax
$5,116Land / acre
48.7"Annual rain
3.7% of yrsSevere drought
11.5 / yr (+10.5)Mid-century 100°F days
15.7 daysMid-century dry spell
2.31" (+5.5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.79×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,812Home insurance / yr
3.7% / yrInsurance growth
1.09%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
43,462People within 30 min
1,423,190People within 2 hr
26,180Radius comparison (15 mi)
40.3People / sq mi
18.5%Federal land
81.6%Land at 15% slope or less
21.8%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
Each button opens a current land search for Union 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 Union 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.
Village of Alto Pass · Anna · Village of Cobden · Village of Dongola · Jonesboro · Village of Mill Creek
Answers from the rulebook for Union County
What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.
Union County rules
Manufactured homesLimited
Unoccupied mobile homes outside incorporated municipalities.
The rule concerns an unoccupied mobile home, not all manufactured-home occupancy.
The condition is triggered after 60 consecutive days without all necessary utility hookups operational, including electricity, water, and sewage disposal.
unoccupied period: >= 60 consecutive days (unoccupied mobile home lacking all necessary utility hookups)
“To maintain or permit the presence of an unoccupied mobile home for sixty (60) consecutive days where such unoccupied mobile home does not have all necessary utility hook-ups in place and operational, including, but not limited to, electricity, water and sewage disposal.”
Mandatory utility hookupConditional
Unoccupied mobile homes in unincorporated Union County.
The county ordinance applies to an unoccupied mobile home maintained for 60 consecutive days.
All necessary utility hook-ups must be in place and operational, including electricity, water, and sewage disposal.
The ordinance is enacted under county authority outside the corporate limits of any city, village, or incorporated town.
unoccupied duration: >= 60 consecutive days
“To maintain or permit the presence of an unoccupied mobile home for sixty (60) consecutive days where such unoccupied mobile home does not have all necessary utility hook-ups in place and operational, including, but not limited to, electricity, water and sewage disposal.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Conditional — Unoccupied mobile homes on property outside incorporated municipalities.
“To maintain or permit the presence of an unoccupied mobile home for sixty (60) consecutive days where such unoccupied mobile home does not have all necessary utility hook-ups in place and operational, including, but not limited to, electricity, water and sewage disposal.”
Illinois rules that apply here
Building permitLimited
Privately funded construction in Illinois; the State does not itself issue building permits, while any required permit is addressed by the applicable local government.
Permit requirements may be imposed and administered by the municipality, village, city, or county having jurisdiction.
The Illinois Capital Development Board states that statewide building codes became effective 1/1/2025, while local code officials remain the best source for project-specific answers.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Not required — Issuance of building permits by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
Owner-builder exemptionConditional
Owner occupants or lessee occupants of single-family residences, and owners of single-family residences under construction for their own occupancy, performing plumbing planning, installation, alteration, or repair in Illinois.
The exemption is limited to plumbing work on the specified single-family residence; the cited statute does not establish a general owner-builder exemption for all construction trades or a statewide exemption from building permits.
The plumbing must comply with the minimum standards in the Illinois State Plumbing Code.
The plumbing is subject to inspection by the Illinois Department of Public Health or by the local governmental unit if it retains a licensed plumber as inspector.
The owner, owner occupant, or lessee occupant may not employ anyone other than a plumber licensed under the Illinois Plumbing License Law to assist.
An occupant must have taken possession of and be living in the premises as their bona fide sole and exclusive residence, or, for a residence under construction, expect to take possession and live there as that residence, with current intent to live there for at least 6 months after completion of the plumbing work or, for a residence under construction, at least 6 months after completion of construction.
Failure to possess and live in the premises as a sole and exclusive residence for 6 months or more creates a rebuttable presumption that the required intent was lacking.
minimum occupancy period: >= 6 months (After completion of plumbing work; for a residence under construction, after completion of construction.)
“Nothing herein contained shall prohibit the owner occupant or lessee occupant of a single family residence, or the owner of a single family residence under construction for his or her occupancy, from planning, installing, altering or repairing the plumbing system of such residence”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Conditional — Privately funded construction in Illinois, including projects performed by an owner-builder, as to state-issued building permits, state plan review, state building-code inspections, and state occupancy permits.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
Conditional — Statewide treatment of local plumbing permits and inspections for qualifying owner occupants performing plumbing work on a single-family residence.
“Nothing contained in this Act shall prohibit any city, town, village, township or county from providing for a Plumbing Inspector or from requiring permits for the installation and repair of plumbing and collecting a fee therefor, but a city, town, village, township, or county that requires a permit for installation and repair of plumbing may not issue that permit without verification that the applicant has a valid plumbing license or that the applicant is the owner occupant of a single family residence that is the subject of the permit.”
Building code adoptedPartial
Building-code requirements statewide in Illinois, including residential and commercial construction subject to the Capital Development Board Act baseline requirements.
Local governments may adopt building codes, but they are not required to adopt codes; jurisdictions that do not adopt a code are treated as non-building-code jurisdictions and must follow the applicable state-law baseline requirements.
For jurisdictions with adopted codes, local codes must regulate structural design at least as stringently as the applicable IRC, IBC, or IEBC baseline.
Commercial buildings in non-building-code jurisdictions and state-funded buildings are subject to the state-listed codes and qualified-inspection requirements.
Residential requirements differ depending on whether the jurisdiction has adopted a compliant building code and whether the home purchaser and builder agree to an alternative code.
statewide baseline effective date: 2025-01-01 · local code structural minimum for residential buildings: IRC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for commercial new buildings: IBC minimum structural requirements · local code structural minimum for existing commercial buildings: IEBC minimum structural requirements
Adopted — Statewide Illinois baseline building-code requirements applicable to construction in Union County, subject to the distinction between jurisdictions with and without locally adopted building codes.
“The State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide building codes effective 1/1/2025. Until then, units of local government such as cities and counties can adopt codes of their choice. The best and most accurate answers to building code questions must be answered by your city, village, or county code official.”
Partial — Statewide Illinois building-code framework affecting jurisdictions, including Union County, where local adoption status is unresolved
“The State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide building codes effective 1/1/2025. Until then, units of local government such as cities and counties can adopt codes of their choice.”
Adopted — Statewide baseline building-code requirements for residential construction in Illinois, including jurisdictions with and without locally adopted building codes.
“Please be advised that the State of Illinois recently passed legislation (Public Act 103-0510) changing the Capital Development Board Act to require statewide baseline building codes effective 1/1/2025. Locally adopted building codes must comply with the requirements of the Act.”
InspectionsLimited
Privately funded construction statewide in Illinois, as to inspections performed by the State rather than by a local authority having jurisdiction.
The Illinois Capital Development Board does not perform building-code inspections for privately funded construction.
If inspections are required, they are addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
A local municipality or county may be a non-building-code jurisdiction, in which case applicable state baseline requirements and inspection-certification provisions may apply.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Not required — Building-code-compliance inspections performed by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
Certificate of occupancyLimited
Occupancy permits or certificates for privately funded construction in Illinois.
The State does not issue occupancy permits for privately funded construction.
If an occupancy permit is required, it is addressed by the applicable unit of local government.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Not required — Issuance of occupancy permits or certificates by the State of Illinois for privately funded construction.
“No. If any of these are required, they would be addressed by the unit of local government.”
SetbacksDistrict specific (with conditions)
County zoning regulations for building or setback lines outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.
The actual setback distances are established by applicable county zoning districts or other local ordinances.
Agricultural buildings may be required to conform to building or setback lines.
“to establish building or setback lines”
Building heightDistrict specific (with conditions)
County zoning districts outside municipalities with municipal zoning ordinances.
The applicable county zoning ordinance determines the actual height limit by district or use.
No single statewide height measurement was identified.
“including height of buildings and structures”
Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)
Private sewage disposal in Union County under Illinois statewide regulation and local-health-agency review.
IDPH regulates private sewage disposal statewide.
Local health agencies may review plans under a local ordinance or as IDPH agents.
Union County's official ordinances page lists an ordinance amending private sewer disposal.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems). Staff also review and approve plans for private sewage disposal systems and alternative private sewage disposal systems before construction. There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans, either by authority of a local ordinance or as an "agent" of the Department.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
State (with conditions) — Private sewage disposal systems in Union County under Illinois law.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) regulates the installation of all private sewage disposal systems that have no surface discharge (such as septic tanks and seepage fields) as well as those that discharge treated effluent up to 1,500 gallons per day to the ground surface (such as sand filters and aerobic treatment systems).”
Mixed — Installation and plan approval for private sewage disposal systems statewide in Illinois.
“There are about 90 local health agencies in Illinois that also review sewage disposal system construction plans”
Septic permitRequired
Construction of a new private sewage disposal system in Union County, including replacement of a septic tank or removal/addition of a major system component.
Plan approval must be obtained from IDPH or the local authority before construction begins.
The rule also covers a system where the absorption field is increased by 25% or more, or where 25% or more of the existing absorption field is removed and replaced with new piping and backfill material.
Applications require scaled plans, site and separation information, design volume or bedrooms, soil or percolation information, owner information, and applicant signature.
Persons constructing, installing, repairing, or modifying a system must notify IDPH or the local authority at least 48 hours before work begins.
advance construction notice: >= 48 hours (before commencement of construction, installation, repair, or modification)
“Plan approval shall be obtained from the Department or local authority prior to beginning any construction of a new private sewage disposal system.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Required — Construction of private sewage disposal systems in Union County, including septic systems and qualifying alternative systems.
“Staff also review and approve plans for private sewage disposal systems and alternative private sewage disposal systems before construction.”
Required — Construction of a new private sewage disposal system statewide, including systems where a septic tank is replaced, a major component is added or removed, or the absorption field changes by at least 25 percent.
“Plan approval shall be obtained from the Department or local authority prior to beginning any construction of a new private sewage disposal system.”
Septic inspectionLimited
Private sewage disposal systems in Union County that were installed and permitted under 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905.190 after January 1, 2014, including residential septic systems, non-residential septic systems, aerobic treatment units, and sand filters or waste stabilization ponds with surface discharges.
The statewide maintenance and evaluation requirements apply after January 1, 2014 to systems installed and permitted under Section 905.190.
Residential septic tanks serving a subsurface seepage system, or a sand filter discharging to a subsurface seepage system, must be evaluated prior to or within 3 years after installation and at least once every 5 years thereafter.
Non-residential septic tanks of those system types must be evaluated within 3 years after installation and at least once every 3 years thereafter.
An aerobic treatment unit requires evaluation and maintenance at least once every 6 months; the homeowner may perform the inspection and maintenance only in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements.
Sand filters and waste stabilization ponds with surface discharges must be evaluated at least once every year; the homeowner may perform inspection and maintenance in accordance with Part 905.
Evaluations may be performed by the homeowner where permitted by the applicable subsection, a licensed private sewage disposal system installation contractor, a licensed Environmental Health Practitioner, an Illinois licensed Professional Engineer, a representative of IDPH, or an agent of IDPH or a local health department.
The evaluation must determine whether scum and settled solids exceed 33% of the tank's liquid capacity; if they do, the tank and compartments must be pumped and maintenance performed.
Depending on system use, evaluation and pumping may be required more frequently.
The owner must maintain maintenance records on Department-approved forms, make them available upon request, transfer them from owner to owner, and keep them for the life of the system.
Failure to properly operate, maintain, and have routine service conducted is a violation of the Act and Part 905.
A local-government ordinance may establish an equal-or-more-stringent inspection and regulation program if approved by IDPH; no Union County-specific ordinance or override was verified in the official sources reviewed.
residential initial evaluation: prior to installation or within 3 years after installation · residential recurring evaluation: 5 years (Depending on system use, more frequent evaluation and pumping may be needed.) · non-residential initial evaluation: within 3 years after installation · non-residential recurring evaluation: 3 years (Depending on system use, more frequent evaluation and pumping may be needed.) · aerobic treatment unit evaluation and maintenance: <= 6 months (Homeowner inspection and maintenance must follow manufacturer requirements.) · surface-discharge sand filter or waste stabilization pond evaluation: 1 year (Depending on system use, more frequent evaluation and pumping may be needed.) · scum and settled solids threshold: > 33 percent of tank liquid capacity (If exceeded, tanks and compartments must be pumped and maintained.)
“After the first evaluation, the system shall be evaluated a minimum of once every 5 years.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Limited — New and replacement surface-discharging private sewage disposal systems covered by Illinois EPA general NPDES Permit ILG62.
“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.”
2 more reviewed findings on this topic
Required — New private water-well construction in Union County, excluding community water wells.
“To ensure the safety of these water supplies, the IDPH and local health departments review water well installation plans, issue permits for new well construction, and inspect wells.”
Required — Construction of private water wells in Union County, excluding community water wells.
“Planning to drill a well for your new home or business? It is important that you contact the Environmental Health staff to apply for a water well permit. [...] Serving: Alexander, Hardin, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Pulaski, & Union County”
Driveway accessRequired
Work within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state-maintained roadway, including access-driveway requests to State highways.
A permit must be obtained before work begins.
Requirements may vary by IDOT district; the applicant must contact the district office for specific requirements.
IDOT's access-driveway handbook guides what is allowable for highway access requests.
“Per 605 ILCS 5/4 209, IDOT requires a permit when working within the right-of-way of an Interstate, U.S. state route, Illinois state route, or state maintained roadway. A permit must be obtained prior to the start of any work and a copy of the approved permit must be at the worksite at all times.”
Building in a floodplainRequired
Construction activities in regulated Illinois floodways and, where a floodway has not been delineated, generally work anywhere in the floodplain.
For downstate streams, IDNR Division permitting applies to floodways of streams draining at least one square mile in urban areas or ten square miles in rural areas.
In northeastern Illinois, Part 3708 applies to identified floodways in Cook County excluding Chicago, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will Counties.
Some minor activities are automatically authorized by statewide or regional permits if their terms and conditions are met.
For State-owned property, Part 3710 requires a permit for all development activity in FEMA-mapped floodplains.
urban stream drainage area threshold: >= 1 square mile (regulated floodways under Part 3700) · rural stream drainage area threshold: >= 10 square miles (regulated floodways under Part 3700)
“All construction activities in the floodways of streams (the channel and the adjacent portion of the floodplain that is needed to safely convey and store flood waters) in urban areas where the stream drainage area is one square mile or more or in rural areas where the stream drainage area is ten square miles or more must be permitted by the Division prior to construction.”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
Required — Development in floodways and, where no floodway has been delineated, generally work anywhere in the floodplain in downstate Illinois counties including Union County.
“All construction activities in the floodways of streams (the channel and the adjacent portion of the floodplain that is needed to safely convey and store flood waters) in urban areas where the stream drainage area is one square mile or more or in rural areas where the stream drainage area is ten square miles or more must be permitted by the Division prior to construction. [...] A permit application submittal to the Division is not needed for a construction activity that meets the terms and conditions of a statewide permit.”
Short-term rentalsLimited
Short-term rentals in Illinois where at least one room is rented for fewer than 30 consecutive days and accommodations are reserved in advance, when the hosting platform meets the statutory definition of a re-renter.
Beginning July 1, 2025, qualifying hosting platforms are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.
The source establishes tax and registration obligations, not statewide land-use permission; local zoning and licensing may separately apply.
rental period: < 30 consecutive days
“Beginning July 1, 2025, hosting platforms for short-term rentals that meet the definition of “re-renter” are subject to Hotel Operators’ Occupation Tax.”
Permit feesVariable (with conditions)
Applications and written inquiries for Illinois Department of Natural Resources public-water, dam, and floodway work requiring authorization.
The Department reviews applications and written inquiries free of charge to determine whether authorization is required when sufficient information is provided.
A permit application fee may apply under the Department's permit fee schedule.
“January 15, 2014, a new Permit Application Fee went into effect. All applications and written inquiries received will be reviewed free of charge to determine whether the Public Water, dam and/or floodway work proposed requires authorization by the Department, so long as sufficient information is provided for the Department to make that determination.”
Permit processPublished (with conditions)
Construction projects in Illinois waterways, floodplains, and wetlands seeking State and Federal authorizations through the joint permit application process.
The joint application seeks authorizations from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources, and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
The joint application form replaced the former Protecting Illinois Waters application package.
“Construction projects in Illinois' waterways, floodplains and wetlands often require both State and Federal authorization. This joint application is designed to simplify the approval process for the applicant seeking project authorizations from the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the Office of Water Resources and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.”
Campground & park staysAllowed (with conditions)
Overnight camping in Illinois campgrounds subject to the Campground Licensing and Recreational Area Act.
IDPH annually inspects and licenses campgrounds in Illinois.
The state campground definition includes camping and temporary parking of recreational vehicles.
Campgrounds within home rule units of government are exempt from the state campground licensing requirement.
Recreational areas without overnight camping, such as highway rest stops and picnicking areas, are subject to the rules but are not licensed or routinely inspected.
minimum persons for statutory campground threshold: >= 10 persons · minimum camping duration for statutory campground threshold: >= 6 camping days per calendar year
““Camping Day” means any 24 hour period or portion thereof during which the participants remain overnight at the site.”
county building authorityLimited
County building-construction and building-code regulation, including residential structures, in counties meeting the statutory population and metropolitan-area conditions.
The county must have a population not in excess of 1,000,000.
The county must be located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.
Rules are subject to rules or regulations adopted by the State Fire Marshal under the cited gasoline and volatile-oils statute.
The county must exempt municipalities located wholly or partly within the county when the municipal building code is equal to the county regulation and local authorities are enforcing that municipal code.
The rules apply throughout the county, but municipalities may establish higher standards.
The rules do not apply to construction or alteration of buildings or structures used or to be used for agricultural purposes on a tract zoned and used for agricultural purposes.
The county board must follow the publication and posting requirements in 55 ILCS 5/5-1063.
Beginning on the effective date of the amendatory Act of the 92nd General Assembly, a county adopting a new building code or amending an existing building code must provide the building-code identification to the Capital Development Board under Section 10.18 at least 30 days before adoption.
Violations are petty offenses, and enforcement is by an officer designated by county-board resolution.
The provision expressly authorizes county building-construction and building-code rules, but the opened text does not expressly use the phrase residential building permit requirement.
population threshold: <= 1000000 persons (The county must be located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission.) · pre-adoption identification period: >= 30 days (Applies to a new building code or amendment under the stated amendatory-Act provision.)
“The county board in any county with a population not in excess of 1,000,000 located in the area served by the Northeastern Illinois Metropolitan Area Planning Commission may prescribe by resolution or ordinance reasonable rules and regulations (a) governing the construction and alteration of all buildings and structures and parts and appurtenances thereof and governing the maintenance thereof in a condition reasonably safe from the hazards of fire, explosion, collapse, contagion and the spread of infectious disease”
One more reviewed finding on this topic
General — Illinois counties adopting and enforcing building codes and issuing building permits for residential construction in unincorporated areas, subject to the statewide baseline framework.
“A municipality or county is not required to adopt building codes. If they do NOT adopt a building code then they are considered a non-building code jurisdiction and section 10.09-1 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105) applies. If they do adopt a building code(s) then it must comply with section 10.18 of the Capital Development Board Act (20 ILCS 3105).”
Inside cities and towns in Union County
Municipal rules found while researching the county. They apply inside that city or town, not to unincorporated land.
Local zoningPresent (with conditions)
Zoning within the City of Anna, Union County, Illinois, and the area covered by the City's zoning code.
The City of Anna Zoning Inspector or authorized representative administers and enforces the City Zoning Code.
The City code states that the zoning district map includes the contiguous area within one and one-half (1 1/2) miles of the corporate limits.
“The Zoning Inspector or his authorized representative shall administer and enforce the Zoning Code, as amended from time to time and is in effect, in accordance with the powers and duties therein set forth, and in furtherance of such activity shall: (A) Issue all Building Permits and Zoning Certificates and make and maintain records thereof.”
Still unanswered
We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.
County-wide zoning — Countywide zoning authority in Union County, including unincorporated areas.
Zoning districts — Published zoning districts in Union County.
Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in Union County.
Minimum lot size — Minimum lot size in Union County.
Lot coverage — Lot coverage in Union County.
6 more unanswered
Living in an RV
Camping on your land
Tiny homes
Accessory dwellings
Agricultural exemption
Subdividing land
Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.
Living off-grid in Union County, Illinois
Is Union County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?
Union County scores 64/100 on the Bolthole Index, a strong county profile. Its strengths: strong self-sufficiency basics: 48.7″/yr rainfall plus 56.1% wooded land and manageable long-term carry cost.
Do you need a building permit in Union County, Illinois?
Union County generally requires a residential building permit. Onsite septic is permitted by Southern Seven Health Department (Union County) under IDPH Private Sewage Disposal Code, 77 Ill. Adm. Code 905. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.
How much does land cost in Union County, Illinois?
Land in Union County runs about $5,116 per acre, based on the latest county data.
What is the water situation in Union County?
Union County gets about 48.7" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 3.7% of years.
How remote is Union County?
A representative private-land location has about 43,462 people within a 30-minute drive and 1,423,190 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.
