Section 800.300  Permits

Prior to construction of a new campground, major alteration of an existing licensed campground or major extension of an existing licensed campground, a permit shall be obtained from the Department.

a)         In addition to the application requirements in Section 4 of the Act, applications and two sets of plans must be submitted to the Department for permits for the construction of new buildings and facilities or alteration of existing buildings and facilities and shall contain the following information:

1)         Identification of the recreational area involved and the person or organization preparing the drawings and specifications;

2)         A statement describing the scope of the work proposed and the anticipated time schedule;

3)         A dimensioned plot plan of the recreational area showing location of all structures and improvements;

4)         Drawings and/or specifications for proposed buildings or structures that include all structural components and material specifications;

5)         Detailed drawings and specifications of proposed potable water source and/or distribution system construction and a general arrangement drawing showing distances between components of the potable water system and sources of potential contamination that complies with Subpart C;

6)         Detailed drawings and specifications of proposed sewage system construction, and a general arrangement drawing showing distances between components of the sewage system and potable water systems or bodies of surface water, data showing estimated volume of sewage flow, and soil percolation rates for absorption fields.  Where a permit has been obtained or applied for from the Environmental Protection Agency or a unit of local government for construction of a sewage disposal system, a copy of the permit or permit application shall be submitted.  All systems must be in compliance with Subpart D.

7)         Detailed drawings and specifications for proposed swimming pool construction sealed by an engineer or architect licensed to practice in Illinois, in accordance with Subpart G;

8)         Detailed drawings and specifications for proposed bathing beach construction, showing water shed area, location of components of sewage systems within the water shed, area and volume of the lake or pond, slope of the bottom of the swimming area, extent of sand or gravel bottom in the swimming  area, height of diving boards, depth of water in swimming and diving areas, location or buoyed lines marking wading and swimming areas, proposed bather loading, and turnover rate of the pond or lake, all in accordance with Subpart G;

9)         Detailed drawings and specifications for proposed recreational equipment construction involving partial or total body contact in water;

10)         Detailed drawings and specifications for proposed food service establishment construction showing interior construction of the building, floors, walls and ceiling as well as details of food handling equipment to be installed, in accordance with Subpart E;

11)         Drawings of proposed electrical distribution system construction showing general arrangement, size and type of wiring, method of grounding, over current protection, type of equipment and load calculations, in accordance with Subpart O;

12)         Drawings of proposed sewer and water piping within buildings showing size and location of piping, fittings, and fixtures as well as materials of construction, in accordance with the Illinois Plumbing Code; and

13)         Drawings showing details of proposed boat handling facility construction when applicable in accordance with Subpart L.

b)         For projects requiring a construction permit, an engineer licensed in accordance with the Professional Engineering Practice Act of 1989 shall stamp the plans for all electrical systems, which serve recreational vehicles, non-community water supply systems, and sewage disposal systems designed for flows greater than 1500 gallons per day. The plans for all multiple family dwellings including dormitories and all commercial structures utilized by the patrons such as dining facilities and activity buildings shall be sealed by an architect registered in accordance with the Illinois Architecture Practice Act of 1989.

c)         The maximum designated number of campsites shall be specified in the permit application. This figure shall not exceed the capacity of the water and sewage systems provided.

d)         Prior to the issuance of a construction permit, the permit applicant shall submit with the application a completed "Special Flood Hazard Area Request Form" provided by the Department.  If the site is within a Special Flood Hazard Area, the applicant shall forward to the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Water Resources the plans for the project.  No project to be located in a Special Flood Hazard Area shall be issued a permit without a statement or a copy of a statement from the Division of Water Resources that the construction complies with the requirements of Executive Order 2006-5, effective March 7, 2006.  Construction of such items as water wells, septic tanks, underground utilities, light poles, pavilions, playground equipment, sidewalks and driveways as specified in Statewide Permit Number 6 issued by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Water Resources, May 13, 1983 are exempt from the above requirements.

e)         Prior to construction of a new campground, major alteration or major extension of an existing campground, permits and zoning approval, except on State or federal lands, required by local health departments and zoning boards as well as other governmental units having jurisdiction shall be obtained.

f)         A permit is not required when existing facilities are utilized to activate a new campground.  Plans indicating the general location of all structures and utilities shall be submitted to the Department, and the existing facilities will be inspected by the Department's field personnel for compliance with this Part.  Any violations identified during the inspection of the facilities shall be corrected, and the facilities shall be brought into essential compliance with this Part prior to the issuance of a license.

g)         A permit is not required to repair a facility in a licensed campground or to correct a violation of this Part when such repair or correction is made to an existing facility, and does not result in expansion of any existing appurtenance or structure.

h)         Campgrounds that were constructed prior to July 1, 1986, and not licensed by the Department shall provide prior to the issuance of a license the information specified in Section 4 of the Act.

i)          Construction at a campground less than a major extension or major alteration shall not require a permit. However, prior to initiating construction, the applicant shall advise the regional office of the Department which serves the campground in writing of the scope of the extension.  Appendix A contains the addresses of the regional offices.

j)          The construction of community water supply systems and surface discharge sewage disposal systems with flows greater than 1,500 gallons per day requires a construction permit from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

(Source:  Amended at 47 Ill. Reg. 4326, effective March 17, 2023)