Environmental Rules in Cook County, IL (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 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.

Stormwater Management

In unincorporated Cook County, anyone tilling, clearing, filling or grading land tied to a building or special-use permit must first submit a Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan to the Building Commissioner for approval before any permit is issued.

Cook County Soil Erosion And Sediment Control

Some Restrictions

Cook County Code § 118-22

In instances where building or special use permits are required, before land is tilled, cleared, filled, graded, transported or otherwise disturbed for any reason, by any person, said person shall submit a "Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan" to the Cook County Department of Building and Zoning for approval by the Building Commissioner before said permits will be granted.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Erosion Control

In unincorporated Cook County, grading, filling, clearing or otherwise disturbing land tied to a building or special-use permit requires an approved Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan from the Building Commissioner before that permit is issued (Code § 118-22).

Cook County Grading Permit And Erosion Control Rules

Some Restrictions

Cook County Code § 118-22

In instances where building or special use permits are required, before land is tilled, cleared, filled, graded, transported or otherwise disturbed for any reason, by any person, said person shall submit a "Soil Erosion and Sediment Control Plan" to the Cook County Department of Building and Zoning for approval by the Building Commissioner before said permits will be granted.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Flood Zones

Cook County has a Floodplain Ordinance governing development in FEMA-designated flood zones. The Metropolitan Water Reclamation District's Watershed Management Ordinance establishes countywide stormwater and floodplain standards including 100-year event design.

Cook County Flood Zone Regulations

Heavy Restrictions

Cook County Ordinances and Codes — Floodplain Ordinance for Cook County

On July 29, 2019, the Cook County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance adopting new regulatory codes. Cook County Codes 2023 — More information: Water and Sewage – Plumbing Code; Amendments to Plumbing Code; Electrical Code [...] Amendments to Electrical Code; International Code Council – Purchase the ICC Codes online; Chapter 102- Building and Building Regulations; Chapter 32-FEES; Ene...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Boat Dock Permits

In unincorporated Cook County, docks, piers, wharves and boat rentals sited within a mapped floodway are not permitted uses: they require a special use permit under the county's Flood Damage Prevention ordinance (Ch. 118, Art. III), and the permit cannot authorize any structure that impedes or increases the flow of floodwaters.

Cook County Floodway Boat Dock Special Use Permit

Significant Restrictions

Cook County Code § 118-43(1)(b)(4), (1)(c)

b.Special use. The following uses which involve temporary or non-obstructive structures may be permitted upon the issuance of a special use permit and upon meeting all other requirements of this and other applicable County Ordinances:1.Transient amusement enterprises.2.Mineral extraction.3.Drive-in theaters.4.Marinas, boat rentals, docks piers and wharves.5.Nurseries and orchards.6.Railroads, r...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Vehicle Idling Restrictions

Cook County's environmental code doesn't set its own idling limit: it adopts and defers to Illinois' state idling law, which supersedes any conflicting county requirement, across the County outside Chicago.

Cook County Vehicle Idling Time Limits

Some Restrictions

Cook County Code § 30-384

Sec. 30-384. - Idling of motor vehicles. The state requirements for idling, as codified at 625 ILCS 5/11-1429, shall apply and supersede any conflicting requirements listed in this Chapter.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Flood Elevation Requirements

In unincorporated Cook County, new and substantially improved buildings in flood zones must set the lowest floor at or above the flood protection elevation: base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard.