Des Plaines zoning limits the percentage of a lot that may be covered by buildings and impervious surfaces. R-1 single-family lots typically allow 30-35% building coverage, with higher impervious-surface limits including driveways and patios.
The Des Plaines Zoning Ordinance establishes lot coverage maximums by district. R-1 single-family residential typically caps building coverage (footprint of principal and accessory structures) at 30-35% of lot area, with total impervious-surface coverage (including driveways, walkways, patios) capped at 50-60%. R-2 and R-3 multifamily districts permit higher coverage. Floor area ratio (FAR) limits also apply in many districts to control bulk. Floodplain and floodway regulations along the Des Plaines River impose additional impervious-surface restrictions to manage stormwater, and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) of Greater Chicago Watershed Management Ordinance applies to developments disturbing 0.5 acre or more, requiring stormwater detention. Patios on permeable pavers may receive partial credit against impervious-surface limits.
Exceeding coverage: stop-work order, mandatory removal of excess coverage, $250-$1,000 per day. May trigger MWRD enforcement and stormwater compliance review.
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines regulates amplified music under Title 6, Chapter 6 of the City Code. Amplified sound plainly audible at 75 feet during daytime, or audible at the...
Des Plaines, IL
Outdoor music in Des Plaines falls under Title 6, Chapter 6's amplified-sound provisions. Backyard gatherings with amplified music must comply with the 10 PM...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code Title 12 (Zoning) and Title 8 (Building) require residential driveways to be paved with approved hard-surface materials and meet width ...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals that creates a nuisance or attracts dangerous wildlife. Bird feeding is general...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code prohibits keeping horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock in all residential and most commercial districts. Only tradi...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines is not located in any wildfire hazard zone. As a fully developed Chicago suburb in Cook County, the City has no wildland-urban interface designat...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle lot coverage limits.
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