Accessory Structures in Waukegan, IL (2026)
4 verified accessory structures rules for Waukegan, Illinois, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
ADU Rules
Waukegan allows one detached accessory dwelling unit per lot in the R1 through R5, L1, L2, and L3 districts, capped at 900 square feet, subject to site plan review under UDO Section 9.03.C.1.
Waukegan Accessory Dwelling Unit Zoning Rules
Some RestrictionsWaukegan UDO Sec. 9.03.C.1.a-c
1.Accessory Dwelling Unit. Accessory dwelling units are subject to site plan review and must meet the following standards.a.Location. Accessory dwelling units are permitted as a detached accessory structure on zoning lots that contain a single-unit dwelling in the R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, L1, L2, and L3 Districts. An accessory dwelling unit is allowed in the rear yard only.b.Number. One accessory dw...
ADU Owner Occupancy
Waukegan requires the owner of an accessory dwelling unit lot to live on the same property as the ADU, a residency mandate written into UDO Section 9.03.C.1.f alongside the rental licensing rule.
Waukegan ADU Owner Residency Requirement
Significant RestrictionsWaukegan UDO Sec. 9.03.C.1.f
f.Residency of Owner. The owner of any Accessory Dwelling Unit must maintain primary residency on the same zoning lot as the unit. The owner of the rental license for any rented accessory dwelling unit must be held by the owner of the zoning lot.
Shed & Carport Rules
Waukegan limits residential sheds to one per lot, 144 square feet in the R1 through R5 districts, placed only in the rear or interior side yard, and requires a building permit under UDO Section 9.03.C.32.
Waukegan Shed Size, Location, and Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsWaukegan UDO Sec. 9.03.C.32.a-d
32.Shed.a.Location. Sheds are allowed only in rear and interior side yards.b.Number. One shed is allowed per zoning lot.c.Area. In the R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 Districts, the maximum area of a shed is 144 square feet.d.Motor Vehicle Storage. The storage of motor vehicles, including, but not limited to, cars, trucks, and vans, in sheds is prohibited.
Tiny Homes
Waukegan's accessory dwelling unit rule flatly bars axels or wheels on the structure, closing the door on towable tiny homes and park-model trailers being used as detached ADUs under UDO Section 9.03.C.1.d.
Waukegan Bars Wheeled Tiny Homes as ADUs
Significant RestrictionsWaukegan UDO Sec. 9.03.C.1.d
d.Design. An accessory dwelling unit must be designed to be clearly secondary to the principal dwelling unit on the site. The exterior materials of the accessory structure in which the dwelling unit is in must be compatible with the primary dwelling unit, including siding and trim materials, window design, roof shape, roof pitch, and roof material. Accessory dwelling units may not have axels or...
Looking for Lake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Waukegan city rules.
Accessory Structures in Lake County →