Landscaping 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
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In unincorporated Lake County, developers need Planning, Building and Development Director sign-off before removing protected significant trees, those 24 inches or more in trunk diameter outside mapped woodlands, and must replace what's cut down.
Lake County Protected Tree Removal Approval
Significant RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.071(I)(7)(a)
The Planning, Building and Development Director may allow the removal of protected significant trees, when deemed necessary to allow: 1. Work shown on approved construction or engineering plans; or 2. Construction of buildings or improvements.
Weed Ordinances
Lake County caps grass and weeds at 10 inches tall within platted subdivisions, treating taller growth as a public nuisance subject to county abatement.
Lake County: 10-inch weed/grass limit
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 94.05(C)
(C) High grass and/or weeds. It is a public nuisance to fail to maintain a property free from grass and/or weed growth in excess of ten inches in height within platted subdivisions. Excluded from this provision are the following: (1) Areas preserved within an open space easement or plat-designated natural area; (2) Plant growth that, in the opinion of the Enforcement Officer, enhances, protects...
Water Restrictions
Lake County's public water system bans outdoor watering from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day from May 15 through September 15, and limits lawn and garden watering to odd or even days matching the property's address.
Lake County Odd-Even Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 52.03(C)(1)
(a) The use of water from the county water supply system for landscape irrigation ... and all outside water use including washing cars and vehicles and filling pools is prohibited between the hours 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., from May 15 through September 15 of each year. New lawns (less than three months old) and hand held water cans shall be exempted from this provision. (b) Customers with even...
Rainwater Harvesting
Unincorporated Lake County has no stand-alone rainwater-harvesting permit. The only place its Unified Development Ordinance addresses cisterns and above-ground water storage is as an accessory structure to a local food garden, and installing one takes the Planning, Building and Development Director's case-by-case discretionary sign-off, not an as-of-right building permit.
Lake County Rain Cistern Rules for Food Gardens
Significant RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.112(II)(2)(c)
(II) Local food garden (agriculture use category). The standards of this subsection (II) shall apply to local food gardens that are principal uses. ... (2) Accessory structures. (a) Sheds not to exceed 250 square feet in area shall be permitted to serve local food gardens and shall only contain tools and materials to cultivate onsite crop raising. (b) Hoophouses shall be permitted and s...
Native Plants
Unincorporated Lake County requires every designated open space area created by a subdivision or development to be landscaped with native plant materials rather than turf grass or ornamental exotics, unless the Planning, Building and Development Director approves a different planting plan. The requirement attaches during site capacity/site plan review or subdivision review, and the county can require a landscaping bond to guarantee installation.
Lake County Native Plant Landscaping in Open Space
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.072(A)(3), (A)(4), (A)(6), (B)(7)
(3) Landscaping. Landscaping within open space areas shall be designed so that open space areas are aesthetically pleasing and functionally usable for the purpose specified. Native plant materials shall be used unless otherwise approved by the Planning, Building and Development Director. (4) Management plan. A management plan covering a minimum period of five years following release of the main...
Composting
Unincorporated Lake County caps home compost piles tied to local food gardens at 4 feet tall and 100 square feet, fenced and set back 30 feet.
Lake County compost pile limits
Some RestrictionsLake County Code § 151.112(II)(1)(d)
Any composting areas shall be located on the same parcel as the permitted local food garden, all composted materials must be produced on site, no compost pile shall exceed four feet in height, and no single compost pile can be in excess of 100 square feet in area. All compost piles shall be fenced with a six foot solid fence, and be setback a minimum of 30 feet from any existing structure on an...
Landscaping Rules by City in Lake County
1 cities in Lake County have their own landscaping 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 →