Building Setbacks & Zoning in McLean County, IL (2026)
3 rules for unincorporated McLean County, Illinois.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
McLean County Code § 350-36(F) fixes yard setbacks for the unincorporated R-1 Single-Family Residential District: 30 feet from the street side, 20 feet on each interior side lot line (5 feet on narrow lots that predate the chapter), and 40 feet at the rear. Structures sheltering livestock other than hens need 150 feet. Bloomington and Normal apply their own separate codes.
McLean County R-1 Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsMcLean County Code § 350-36(F)
Yard regulations. (1) Exterior setback: (a) A minimum of 30 feet. (b) A minimum of 30 feet for any building or structure sheltering hen chickens. (c) A minimum of 150 feet for any building or structure sheltering all other livestock. (2) Interior setbacks: (a) Interior side setback: 20 feet on each side. The interior side yard for any lot in existence on the effective date of this chapter that ...
Structure Height Limits
A principal home in McLean County's R-1 Single-Family Residential District cannot rise above 2 1/2 stories or 35 feet, whichever limit is stricter. Section 350-36E(1) sets that ceiling, while accessory structures like detached garages are separately capped at 12 feet on the side wall under § 350-36E(2).
McLean County R-1 Residential Height Limit
Some RestrictionsMcLean County Code § 350-36E(1)
Principal structure: not more than 2 1/2 stories or 35 feet, whichever is less.
Lot Coverage Limits
Single-family lots in McLean County's R-1 Single-Family Residential District cannot exceed 35% lot coverage under Zoning Code Section 350-36D(4), with accessory building area additionally capped on a sliding scale from 1,500 to 2,400 square feet depending on lot size.
McLean County R-1 District Maximum Lot Coverage
Some RestrictionsMcLean County, IL Code of Ordinances § 350-36.D(4)
Maximum lot coverage: 35%. Total area of accessory buildings, including attached garages, shall not exceed the following: On lots 0.74 acre or less: 1,500 square feet. On lots 0.75 acre to 0.99 acre: 1,725 square feet; On lots 1.00 acre to 1.49 acres: 1,950 square feet; On lots 1.5 acres or more: 2,400 square feet.
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