Tiny home rules in Lake County, IL — covering tiny houses on wheels (THOWs), park model RVs, and tiny home on foundation builds — determine where they are legal and how they get permitted.
Lake County treats foundation-built tiny homes as dwellings subject to UDO minimum size and building code rules. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) treated as RVs; not allowed as permanent residences outside licensed RV parks.
Lake County UDO does not have a specific tiny-home category. Foundation-built tiny homes must meet the minimum dwelling size for the zoning district, generally 600 to 900 square feet depending on district, and comply with the 2018 International Residential Code including Appendix Q (tiny houses 400 sq ft and under). Setbacks, lot area minimums, and design standards apply the same as for any single-family dwelling. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) are classified as recreational vehicles under Illinois law and Lake County UDO; they cannot be used as permanent or long-term residences on residentially zoned property. THOWs may be stored on residential property (screened or in a side/rear yard) but must not be connected to utilities for permanent occupancy. ADU pathways in some Lake County municipalities (Highland Park, Evanston nearby) now allow small secondary dwellings that can accommodate tiny-home-style builds, but unincorporated Lake County presently has limited ADU permissions. Mobile home parks licensed under 210 ILCS 115 remain the primary legal pathway for long-term tiny dwelling living.
Occupying THOW as permanent residence: UDO violation, citation, required removal. Foundation tiny home below minimum size: zoning violation, variance required or removal. Fines $250 to $1,500. Utility connections without permits compound violations.
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See how Lake County's tiny homes rules stack up against other locations.
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