Lake County, IL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Street setback (AG/RE)
- 30 feet
- Rear setback (AG/RE)
- 50 feet
- Side setback (R4)
- 6 ft min / 15 ft total
- Rear setback (R4)
- 15 feet
- Governing section
- Lake County Code § 151.125
Summary
In unincorporated Lake County, § 151.125's dimensional standards tables fix minimum yard setbacks per zoning district: a uniform 30-foot street setback, but side and rear minimums range from 30/60 and 50 feet in AG and RE down to 6/15 and 15 feet in R4.
§ 151.125 DENSITY AND DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS TABLES. The following tables (151.125(1) through 151.125(5)) establish standards for development in all base zoning districts. ... AG 0.20 200,000 300 30 30/60 50 0.10[2] 40[1] ... R4 2.50 8,500 60 30 6/15 15 0.40[2] 40
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Table 151.125(1) sets front (street), side, and rear yard minimums for each agricultural and residential zoning district in unincorporated Lake County: AG and RE require a 30-foot street setback, 30-foot minimum/60-foot total side setback, and 50-foot rear setback; the requirement shrinks through E, R1, R2, and R3 down to R4's 30-foot street, 6-foot minimum/15-foot total side, and 15-foot rear. Table 151.125(2) sets separate setbacks by structure type (detached house, duplex, twinhouse, multi-dwelling) in the denser R-4A, R5, and R6 districts. A transition yard under § 151.167(J) can push a setback higher, and alley setbacks match the applicable side or rear standard.
Violations & Fines
The Planning, Building and Development Director enforces the UDO under § 151.253, with power to deny permits, issue stop-work orders, revoke approvals, or seek injunctive relief; each week a violation continues counts as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do these setbacks apply inside Waukegan or Libertyville?
Can I build closer to my property line than these minimums?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
Compare Lake County to another location·View the Illinois building setbacks & zoning overview
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