Shed permit rules in McHenry County, IL — also referred to as storage shed, backyard shed, or accessory building regulations — set size limits, setbacks, and when a building permit is required.
In unincorporated McHenry County, a shed and other accessory structures must sit at least 10 feet from any lot line. In R-1, R-2 and R-3 residential districts, detached accessory structures are capped at 14 feet (flat roof) or 18 feet (pitched roof).
UDO § 16.56.050A governs all accessory structures, including sheds. The default setback is 10 feet from any lot line, with reduced setbacks in the Legacy Neighborhood Overlay District, on waterfront lots, and on nonconforming lots. Accessory structures are prohibited in an effective street yard unless set back at least 50 feet from the street lot line. A shed generally cannot be built before the principal building it serves. Height limits vary by district: 14/18 feet in R-1/R-2/R-3, 20 feet in estate and commercial districts, and 24 feet on agricultural parcels under 5 acres. Building permits apply; check with the McHenry County Building Codes office.
Enforced by the McHenry County Zoning Enforcement Officer under the UDO; structures that violate setbacks or height limits require a zoning variation or must be removed.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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