Tazewell County, IL Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard max height
- 36 ft (most districts)
- Industrial max height
- 40 ft (I-1, I-2)
- Accessory structure cap
- 36 ft, all districts
- Height bonus
- +1 ft per extra ft of yard width
- Exempt features
- Silos, grain elevators, chimneys, spires
- Max fine
- $500 per week of violation
Summary
Tazewell County caps principal structure height at 36 feet in most unincorporated districts and 40 feet in the light and heavy industrial districts, with a trade-off that lets a building rise higher if it sits farther back from its lot lines than the district minimum requires.
(A) The height of any main or principal structure, accessory building or structure may exceed the maximum permitted height by one foot for each additional foot by which the width of each yard exceeds the minimum yard dimension for the district in which such structure or building is located. (B) The height limitations established for each district shall not apply to public utility poles and lines, communication support structures, skylights, chimneys, fire towers, spires, silos, grain elevators, cooling towers, heating ventilation, air conditioning equipment, and other necessary mechanical appurtenances.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-7: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. LU-21-12, passed 9-29-2021; and Res. LU-26-09, passed 7-29-2026).
Full Breakdown
073 sets a maximum principal structure height of 36 feet in the A-1, A-2, RR, R-1, R-2, C-1, C-2, and Conservation districts, and 40 feet in the I-1 Light Industrial and I-2 Heavy Industrial districts; accessory structure height is capped at 36 feet across every district. 047 adds a bonus provision: the height of any main or accessory structure may exceed the maximum permitted height by one additional foot for every additional foot by which the width of each yard exceeds the district's minimum yard dimension, rewarding buildings that are set back further than required.
The same section exempts certain features from the height cap entirely, including public utility poles and lines, communication support structures, skylights, chimneys, fire towers, spires, silos, grain elevators, and cooling towers and other necessary mechanical appurtenances, so a grain elevator or silo on a farm is not measured against the 36-foot residential or agricultural cap. These standards apply only in the unincorporated county; incorporated municipalities within Tazewell County set their own height limits under separate codes.
Violations & Fines
A structure that exceeds the district's height maximum without qualifying for the yard-width bonus or an exempted-feature category violates § 157.047 and the Bulk Chart. Under § 157.999, that is a petty offense carrying a fine of up to $500, with each week the violation continues counted as a separate offense, and the county may also pursue a circuit court action to compel compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can I build a house in unincorporated Tazewell County?
Can a building exceed the maximum height if it sits farther from the property line?
Are grain elevators and silos subject to the 36-foot height cap?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tazewell County
Compare Tazewell County to another location·View the Illinois building setbacks & zoning overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.