Environmental Rules in Lake County, IL (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Lake County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Stormwater Management
New subdivisions in unincorporated Lake County must meet the county's stormwater management facility standards, sizing storm sewers for a ten-year storm and following detention-basin design rules the Public Works Department enforces.
Lake County Stormwater Rules
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.197
(C) Outside the right-of-way. (1) Storm sewer facilities. ... The storm sewer system shall be of sufficient capacity to carry the discharge for a storm of ten-year frequency. Depending on site characteristics, a greater frequency design may be required. Storm sewer capacity calculations shall be required. ... All storm sewers shall be at least 12 inches in diameter. ... All stormwater detention...
Erosion Control
Unincorporated Lake County requires soil erosion and sediment control measures on any regulated land disturbance, with specific stabilization timelines and sediment-trapping standards by disturbed acreage.
Erosion & Sediment Control, Lake County
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.146(J)
Soil erosion and sediment control related measures are required to be constructed and maintained for any regulated land disturbance activity, in accordance with the standards of this section. All temporary measures and permanent erosion and sediment control shall be maintained continuously in an effective, working condition. ... Disturbed areas shall be stabilized with temporary or permanent me...
Coastal Development
In unincorporated Lake County's Coastal High Hazard Area along Lake Michigan, new construction and substantial improvements must be elevated on pilings or columns above the base flood elevation plus one foot, with fill barred as structural support and dune alteration prohibited absent an engineering report.
Lake County Coastal High Hazard Building Rules
Significant RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.149(I)
(I) Building Protection Requirement for CHHA. The building protection requirements of this section apply to development, including new construction and substantial improvements in, or partly in, a Coastal High Hazard Area according to the FIRM. (1) All new construction and substantial improvements shall be elevated on pilings or columns so that the bottom of the lowest horizontal structural mem...
Flood Zones
Unincorporated Lake County bars new construction, grading, filling, or excavation in the regulatory floodplain or floodway unless it meets the Unified Development Ordinance's flood standards and wins Planning, Building and Development Department approval.
Lake County Floodplain Development Rules
Significant RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.147(A)
This section shall apply to all man-made changes to improved or unimproved real estate lying in the regulatory floodplain, the regulatory floodway or on flood table land and flood-prone area, including but not limited to buildings or other structures, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling operations. This section shall not apply to normal maintenance activities und...
Boat Dock Permits
In unincorporated Lake County, boat docks and piers are a listed allowed use in the regulatory floodplain if the underlying zoning district permits them, and they're exempt from the standard water's-edge setback.
Lake County Boat Dock Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.148(A); § 151.131(C)(r)
(A) Uses. The following uses shall be allowed in the regulatory floodplain if allowed by the underlying zoning district regulations: ... (3) Boat docks/piers; (4) Boathouse; (5) Boat launching ramp; ... § 151.131(C)(r): Wharfs, docks, piers, walkways not to exceed four feet in width, or private boathouses (exempt only from water's edge setbacks) shall be allowed within required setbacks.
Flood Elevation Requirements
New homes in unincorporated Lake County floodplains must have their lowest floor built up to the Flood Protection Elevation: base flood elevation plus two feet of freeboard.
Lake County flood elevation rule
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.149(H)(2)(a)
(2) Building protection requirements for residential structures shall follow applicable FEMA regulations and include the following: (a) The lowest floor including basements of all new residential structures, including additions, shall be elevated up to at least the Flood Protection Elevation (FPE). The floor of an attached garage for a new structure must be elevated up to at least one-half of o...
Environmental Rules by City in Lake County
1 cities in Lake County have their own environmental rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Lake County ordinances
See every category we cover for Lake County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Lake County Ordinance Hub →