Lake County, IL Environmental Rules: Boat Dock Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- unincorporated Lake County only
- Dock/pier setback
- exempt up to 4 feet wide
- Permit trigger
- parcel contains regulatory floodplain
- Permitting body
- Planning, Building and Development Dept.
Summary
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.
(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.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-15: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 26-0618, passed 6-9-2026 | State legislation current through ILCS Pamphlet 2025 #5).
Full Breakdown
Lake County's Unified Development Ordinance (Ch. 151), which governs unincorporated county land only, lists "Boat docks/piers" and "Boathouse" as allowed floodplain uses when the underlying zoning district permits them (§ 151.148(A)). Docks, piers and walkways up to four feet wide, plus private boathouses, are exempt from the water's-edge setback (§ 151.131(C)(r)). Because dock sites typically sit on a parcel containing a regulatory floodplain, a Site Development Permit from the Planning, Building and Development Department is triggered under § 151.145(B)(1), and floodway construction must also meet the § 151.150 performance standards.
Violations & Fines
Building or using a dock without a required Site Development Permit, or in violation of permit conditions, is a code violation; the Planning, Building and Development Director can withhold, revoke or condition permits and issue stop-work orders (§§ 151.251, 151.253).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Waukegan, Highland Park or Gurnee?
Do I need a permit just to build a small dock?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lake County
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