Cook County Zoning Ordinance limits the percentage of lot area that may be covered by buildings and impervious surfaces. Coverage maximums vary by zoning district. Stormwater detention requirements also affect impervious area.
The Cook County Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 01-O-30) establishes maximum lot coverage percentages for each zoning district in unincorporated areas. Lot coverage includes all buildings, accessory structures, driveways, patios, and other impervious surfaces. The maximum coverage varies by zoning classification, with lower-density residential districts (R-1) having lower percentages than higher-density districts (R-5). The MWRD Watershed Management Ordinance also affects impervious surfaces through stormwater detention requirements (first inch of runoff from impervious area). Adding structures, driveways, or patios that exceed lot coverage limits requires a variance. The Department of Building and Zoning reviews building permits for lot coverage compliance.
Exceeding lot coverage: zoning violation, $100–$1,000 fine. May require removing impervious surface or obtaining variance.
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park's animal control ordinance prohibits dogs from barking excessively to the point of disturbing neighbors. Under Village Code, keeping an animal that ...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park regulates outdoor music under its general noise ordinance. Residents may play music outdoors during permitted hours but must keep volume at levels t...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park Village Code Chapter 23 establishes strict noise regulations. Quiet hours run from 9:00 PM to 7:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 PM to 8:00 A...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park prohibits amplified music and sound systems that create unreasonable noise disturbing neighbors, particularly during quiet hours (9 PM–7 AM weekdays...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park is not located directly under major airport flight paths and does not have its own local airport. The Village does not maintain separate aircraft no...
Oak Park, IL
Oak Park permits leaf blower use during allowed construction and landscaping hours, generally 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Saturday. Leaf blower use on ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle lot coverage limits.
See how Oak Park's lot coverage limits rules stack up against other locations.
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