Building Setbacks & Zoning in Cook County, IL (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Cook County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Cook County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Setback Rules

Cook County Zoning Ordinance (Ord. 01-O-30) establishes building setbacks varying by district. Side yard setbacks are at least 20 feet. Special uses may require front yard setbacks greater than 50 feet. Setbacks vary by residential district (R-1 through R-5).

Cook County Building Setback Rules

Some Restrictions

Cook County Zoning Ordinance - Summary of Residential District Requirements (2014)

COOK COUNTY ZONING ORDINANCE - SUMMARY OF RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS. Yard Requirements: Front - R1: 50 Feet; R2: 50 Feet; R3: 50 Feet; R4: 100 Feet/Sewer, 150 Feet/Septic; R5: 30 Feet; R5A: 40 Feet (50 Feet Corner); R6: 30/20 Feet; R7: 60 Feet; R8: 60 Feet. Interior Side - R1: 30 Feet; R2: 20 Feet; R3: 15 Feet; R4: 40 Feet; R5: 10 Feet; R5A: 20 Feet (Single Family) / 25 Feet (Multi Fami...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Structure Height Limits

Cook County Zoning Ordinance limits building height by residential district. Height is measured from grade to the highest point of the structure. Variances may be granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals for additional height.

Cook County Structure Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Cook County Zoning Ordinance - Summary of Residential District Requirements, Building Height (2014)

Building Height (Residential Districts): Single-Family - 2 1/2 Story or 35 Ft (R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R5A, R6, R7, R8). Townhome - 2 1/2 Stories or 35 Ft (R5A, R6, R7, R8). Multifamily - 45 Feet (R5A, R6, R7, R8). Nonresidential - 40 Feet (R1, R2, R3, R5); 45 Feet (R5A, R6, R7, R8). Accessory - 15 Feet (all residential districts).

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Lot Coverage Limits

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.

Cook County Lot Coverage Limits

Some Restrictions

Cook County Zoning Ordinance - Summary of District Requirements, Maximum Impervious Surface / Floor Area Ratio (2014)

Maximum Impervious Surface (Residential): R1: 20%; R2: 20%; R3: 25%; R5: 50%; R5A: 50%. Floor Area Ratio - Single-Family: R1: 0.10; R2: 0.10; R3: 0.15; R5: 0.25; R5A: 0.40; R6: 0.40; R7: 0.40; R8: 0.40. Multi-Family: R4: 0.50; R5A: 0.50; R6: 0.60; R7: 0.70; R8: 0.80. Commercial Maximum Lot Coverage: C5 Commercial Transition: 40%; C7 Office/Research Park: 30%.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗