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Right to Farm in McHenry County, IL (2026)

2 rules for unincorporated McHenry County, Illinois.

Verified from official government sources

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

Farm Nuisance Protection

McHenry County's zoning code puts owners near its agricultural districts on official notice that Illinois' Right to Farm Law can bar them from winning a nuisance lawsuit against normal farm operations, covering noise, odors, dust, machinery, manure storage, and pesticide use.

Right-to-Farm Notice in McHenry County

Light Restrictions

McHenry County Code § 16.36.010(A)

Owners, residents, and other users of property in or adjoining these districts may be subjected to inconvenience, discomfort, and the possibility of injury to property and health arising from normal and accepted agricultural practices and operations, including but not limited to noise, odors, dust, the operation of machinery of any kind, including aircraft, the storage and disposal of manure, t...

Agricultural Zoning Protection

Unincorporated McHenry County protects farmland through two agricultural zoning districts. The A-1 Agriculture District permits agricultural purposes and activities with residences allowed only on large agricultural parcels, while the A-2 District permits individual single-family residences that must stay compatible with surrounding farm operations.

McHenry County Agricultural Zoning: A-1 and A-2

Some Restrictions

McHenry County Code § 16.36.010(A)(1)-(2)

1. Purpose of A-1 Agriculture District. The intent of the A-1 Agriculture District is to permit agricultural purposes and activities. Residences are allowed on large agricultural parcels within the County. The standards of the A-1 District promote the continuation of farming and protect agricultural land uses from the encroachment of incompatible uses. 2. Purpose of A-2 Agriculture District. Th...

All McHenry County ordinances

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