A Resident's Guide to Des Plaines's Local Ordinances

Des Plaines, Illinois may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 135 tracked ordinances across 32 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Permit Requirements

Renovation Permits: Des Plaines requires building permits for most interior and exterior renovations including additions, kitchen/bath remodels with plumbing or electrical changes, roof replacement, siding, windows, HVAC, and electrical service upgrades. The city follows the International Code Council family of codes..

Also covered: Fence Permits (moderate), Shed & Outbuilding Permits (moderate), Deck & Patio Permits (moderate). See the full permit requirements guide for Des Plaines for details.

Solar Energy

Panel Permits: Des Plaines requires building and electrical permits for solar photovoltaic installations on residential and commercial properties. Permits are issued by the Department of Community and Economic Development.

Also covered: HOA Restrictions (permissive). See the full solar energy guide for Des Plaines for details.

Parking Rules

Dibs & Space Saving: Des Plaines does not officially recognize 'dibs' or any practice of using chairs, cones, or other objects to reserve cleared on-street parking spaces after a snowstorm. Public streets remain public, and obstructing the right-of-way violates Des Plaines City Code..

Also covered: EV Charging (permissive), Driveway Rules (moderate), Abandoned Vehicles (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Des Plaines for details.

Cannabis Regulations

Home Cultivation: Under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705), only registered medical cannabis patients may cultivate cannabis at home in Des Plaines, limited to 5 plants in an enclosed, locked space out of public view. Recreational home cultivation by adults is not permitted in Illinois..

Also covered: Dispensary Zoning (moderate). See the full cannabis regulations guide for Des Plaines for details.

Tree Protection

Tree Ordinances: Des Plaines's tree ordinances protect parkway trees, regulate species selection, address Emerald Ash Borer management, and require maintenance of trees affecting public ways. Diseased or hazardous trees on private property may be ordered removed by the City..

Also covered: Tree Removal Permits (moderate), Heritage & Protected Trees (moderate), Tree Replacement Requirements (moderate). See the full tree protection guide for Des Plaines for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Des Plaines does not have rent control. Illinois's Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825) prohibits Illinois municipalities from enacting any form of rent control on private residential property.

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (moderate), Rental Registration (moderate). See the full rental property rules guide for Des Plaines for details.

Home Business

Customer Traffic Restrictions: Des Plaines's home occupation regulations restrict customer, client, and patient visits to home-based businesses. The City requires that home occupations not generate vehicular or pedestrian traffic beyond what is normal for a residential area.

Also covered: Zoning Restrictions (moderate), Cottage Food Operations (permissive), Home Daycare (moderate). See the full home business guide for Des Plaines for details.

Animal Ordinances

Livestock: Des Plaines City Code prohibits keeping horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock in all residential and most commercial districts. Only traditional household pets are permitted in residential zones..

Also covered: Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Wildlife Feeding (moderate), Chickens & Livestock (strict). See the full animal ordinances guide for Des Plaines for details.

Soliciting & Door-to-Door

Solicitor Permits: Des Plaines requires door-to-door solicitors and peddlers to register with the City Clerk and obtain a permit before conducting commercial canvassing. Applicants undergo a background check and must display a city-issued ID badge while working..

Also covered: No-Knock Registry (moderate). See the full soliciting & door-to-door guide for Des Plaines for details.

Special Events & Permits

Park Event Permits: Events held in Des Plaines Park District facilities require a special-use permit from the Park District. Picnic shelters, athletic fields, and Lake Park pavilions can be reserved through the Park District office, with fees varying by location and group size..

Also covered: Sidewalk Cafe Rules (moderate), Block Party Permits (permissive). See the full special events & permits guide for Des Plaines for details.

Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules

Sidewalk Repair: In Des Plaines, sidewalk repair responsibility is shared. The city operates a 50/50 cost-share program for residential sidewalk replacement; major hazards may be ordered repaired at owner expense.

Also covered: Obstruction Rules (moderate). See the full sidewalk & pedestrian rules guide for Des Plaines for details.

Noise Ordinances

Quiet Hours: Des Plaines City Code 6-2-7(E)(3) sets quiet hours from 10:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M.

Also covered: Industrial Noise (moderate), Decibel Limits (moderate), Outdoor Music (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Des Plaines for details.

Short-Term Rentals

Noise Rules: Short-term rental operators in Des Plaines must comply with the City's quiet hours of 10 PM to 7 AM under Title 6, Chapter 6. STR-specific noise complaints can trigger registration suspension or revocation under the Vacation Rental ordinance.

Also covered: Night Caps (moderate), Registration Rules (strict), Parking Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Des Plaines for details.

Fence Regulations

Pool Barriers: Des Plaines requires all swimming pools deeper than 24 inches to be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates, in compliance with the International Swimming Pool and Spa Code and Illinois Department of Public Health rules..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (moderate), Fence Requirements (moderate), Material Restrictions (moderate). See the full fence regulations guide for Des Plaines for details.

Landscaping Rules

Rainwater Harvesting: Rainwater collection in rain barrels and cisterns is permitted in Des Plaines under the Illinois Rainwater Harvesting Act (415 ILCS 56). Collected water must be used for non-potable purposes such as landscape irrigation, with proper backflow prevention if connected to plumbing..

Also covered: Tree Removal & Heritage Trees (moderate), Artificial Turf (permissive), Native Plants (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Des Plaines for details.

Accessory Structures

Tiny Homes: Des Plaines does not have specific tiny home zoning. Tiny homes on foundations must meet the same minimum dwelling size, setback, and building code requirements as any single-family house.

Also covered: Carport Rules (moderate), ADU Rules (strict), Shed Rules (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Des Plaines for details.

Sign Regulations

Holiday Displays: Des Plaines generally permits residential holiday lighting and decorations on private property without a permit. Displays must not encroach on the public right-of-way, obstruct traffic sight lines, or create hazards from extension cords across sidewalks.

Also covered: Political Signs (permissive), Garage Sale Signs (moderate). See the full sign regulations guide for Des Plaines for details.

Property Maintenance

Property Blight: Des Plaines's property maintenance code, based on the International Property Maintenance Code, requires owners to keep buildings and yards free of blight including peeling paint, broken windows, accumulated debris, inoperable vehicles, and structural deterioration. Code Enforcement responds to complaints and may require corrective action..

Also covered: Vacant Lot Maintenance (moderate), Garage Sale Rules (permissive), Snow & Sidewalk Clearing (moderate). See the full property maintenance guide for Des Plaines for details.

Outdoor Lighting

Light Trespass: Des Plaines's zoning code limits light trespass onto adjacent residential properties. Commercial fixtures must be shielded and the illumination at residential property lines is typically capped at 0.1 to 0.5 foot-candles.

Also covered: Dark Sky Rules (moderate). See the full outdoor lighting guide for Des Plaines for details.

Trash & Recycling

Bulk Item Disposal: Des Plaines residents can dispose of bulk items (furniture, mattresses, large appliances) by scheduling a bulk pickup with the contracted hauler, often included in regular service or available for an additional fee. White goods (refrigerators, freezers) require freon recovery.

Also covered: Recycling Requirements (moderate), Bin Placement Rules (moderate), Pickup Rules & Schedules (moderate). See the full trash & recycling guide for Des Plaines for details.

Building Setbacks & Zoning

Structure Height Limits: Des Plaines zoning limits residential building heights to 35 feet (2.5 stories) in most R districts. Commercial and downtown districts allow taller structures, but FAA Part 77 surfaces around O'Hare may impose stricter limits..

Also covered: Setback Rules (strict), Lot Coverage Limits (strict). See the full building setbacks & zoning guide for Des Plaines for details.

Street Vending

Vendor Permits: Street vending in Des Plaines public rights-of-way is heavily restricted and generally requires a peddler/vendor license from the City Clerk plus health and zoning approvals. Most vending occurs on private property with owner consent or at permitted special events..

Also covered: Vending Zones (strict), Cart & Stand Rules (strict). See the full street vending guide for Des Plaines for details.

HOA Rules

Assessment & Dues: HOA and condo assessments in Des Plaines are governed by Illinois state law, which authorizes regular and special assessments, requires reserve funding, and grants associations strong collection tools including liens and forced sale..

Also covered: CC&R Enforcement (moderate), Board Procedures (moderate), Architectural Review (moderate). See the full hoa rules guide for Des Plaines for details.

Garage & Yard Sales

Garage Sale Permits: Des Plaines does not generally require a permit for residential garage or yard sales but does limit frequency and signage. Sales must be conducted on the resident's own property and may not be a regular commercial activity..

Also covered: Time Restrictions (permissive), Frequency Limits (permissive). See the full garage & yard sales guide for Des Plaines for details.

Filming & Production

Street Closures: Productions requiring street closures in Des Plaines must apply through the film/special-event permit process, coordinate with Police and Public Works, and pay for traffic control. Major arterial closures require additional state or county coordination..

Also covered: Production Noise (moderate), Location Permits (moderate). See the full filming & production guide for Des Plaines for details.

Environmental Rules

Stormwater Management: Stormwater management in Des Plaines is governed by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO), which Des Plaines administers locally. New development and redevelopment that disturbs more than a threshold area must provide on-site detention, water quality treatment, and erosion control.

Also covered: Grading & Drainage (moderate), Erosion Control (moderate), Flood Zones (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Des Plaines for details.

Drone Rules

Recreational Drones: Des Plaines defers drone airspace regulation to the FAA, but the city sits directly under O'Hare's Class B airspace, so virtually all flights require LAANC authorization. Drone use in Des Plaines parks is prohibited without Park District permission..

Also covered: Commercial Drones (strict). See the full drone rules guide for Des Plaines for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Des Plaines pool owners must comply with Illinois Department of Public Health swimming pool safety rules and the City's building code requirements covering barriers, anti-entrapment drain covers (Virginia Graeme Baker Act), GFCI-protected electrical, and proper chemical storage. Pool covers, alarms, and posted safety rules are encouraged for residential pools..

Also covered: Fencing Requirements (moderate), Pool Permits (moderate), Above-Ground Pools (moderate). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Des Plaines for details.

Fire Regulations

Smoke Detectors: Des Plaines enforces the Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60/), as amended in 2023, which requires 10-year sealed-battery smoke alarms in all single-family and multi-family dwellings. Alarms must be installed inside each sleeping area, outside each sleeping area, and on every floor including the basement..

Also covered: Backyard Fires (moderate), Brush Clearance (permissive), Wildfire Zones (permissive). See the full fire regulations guide for Des Plaines for details.

Food Trucks & Mobile Vendors

Vending Zones: Des Plaines does not maintain dedicated public food truck vending zones. Mobile vending is primarily limited to private property with owner consent or at city-permitted special events such as Taste of Des Plaines and the Summer Fair..

Also covered: Food Truck Permits (strict). See the full food trucks & mobile vendors guide for Des Plaines for details.

Curfew Laws

Park Curfew: Des Plaines Park District parks are generally closed from dusk (or 10:00 PM) to sunrise unless a permit is issued for after-hours use. Lake Park, Lake Opeka, and other district facilities post specific hours that override the general rule..

Also covered: Juvenile Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Des Plaines for details.

Building Safety

Lead Paint: Pre-1978 housing renovation in Des Plaines must comply with the EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) Rule and Illinois Lead Poisoning Prevention Act. Disturbing painted surfaces requires certified contractors and lead-safe work practices..

What to Do With This Information

Think of this as a map of the regulatory landscape in Des Plaines. For any rule that directly affects a decision you are making, click through to the full ordinance page for penalty details and exceptions, and confirm with the city if the stakes are high.