Does Lake County, IL have its own flood zones ordinance?

No. Lake County, IL does not appear to have a local flood zones ordinance, Illinois state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from 615 ILCS 15/ Flood Control Act of 1945.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Lake County

Lake County, IL Environmental Rules: Flood Zones (2026)

Significant Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

FEMA flood zone rules in Lake County, IL, also called floodplain regulations or special flood hazard area (SFHA) rules, determine flood insurance requirements and elevation standards for new construction.

Key Facts

Governing section: Lake County Code § 151.147
Applies to: Unincorporated Lake County only
Permitted uses: Limited to those listed in § 151.148
Floodway rule: No encroachment except under § 151.150
Enforcement: Stop-work orders, permit revocation, injunctions

FEMA Flood Zone Lookup

FEMA assigns every parcel in the U.S. a flood-hazard designation on its Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs). Zones starting with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where federally backed mortgages require NFIP flood insurance. Zone X indicates moderate-to-minimal risk, where insurance is optional but often recommended. Your specific zone determines insurance cost, build elevation, and permit requirements in Lake County, IL.

Zone	What it means	NFIP required?
A	High-risk flood area; 1% annual chance flood, no detailed analysis.	Yes
AE	High-risk; same as A but with established Base Flood Elevations.	Yes
AH	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft), usually ponding.	Yes
AO	High-risk shallow flooding (1-3 ft) with sheet flow on sloping terrain.	Yes
V	High-risk coastal zone subject to wave action (no BFE).	Yes
VE	High-risk coastal zone with wave action and established BFEs.	Yes
X (shaded)	Moderate risk; between the 1% and 0.2% annual chance flood.	Recommended
X	Minimal risk; outside the 0.2% annual chance floodplain.	No

Look up Lake County, IL on the FEMA flood map

FEMA maps update periodically; verify zone before buying flood insurance or building.

Summary

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.

City-specific rules exist: Waukegan has its own flood zones rules that differ from Lake County's county-level regulations. If you live in Waukegan, check the city-specific page instead.

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 undertaken on existing structures and facilities.

Source: 615 ILCS 15/ Flood Control Act of 1945View official code

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 Code § 151.147 regulates any man-made change to real estate lying in the regulatory floodplain, regulatory floodway, or flood table land and flood-prone areas, buildings, mining, dredging, filling, grading, paving, excavation, or drilling, but applies only in unincorporated Lake County; Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, Gurnee and Libertyville administer their own floodplain rules. Only uses listed in § 151.148 are permitted by right in the floodplain regardless of the underlying zoning district, and no encroachment is allowed in the regulatory floodway except as explicitly permitted by § 151.150. Base flood elevations come from FEMA's Flood Insurance Study for Lake County's unincorporated areas or the Stormwater Management Commission's own regulatory floodplain profiles.

Violations & Fines

The Planning, Building and Development Director can deny, condition or revoke development permits, issue stop-work orders, and pursue injunctive relief or administrative adjudication under §§ 94.50-94.66 for uncorrected floodplain violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this floodplain rule apply inside Waukegan or Highland Park?

No. Chapter 151 applies only to unincorporated Lake County; incorporated cities like Waukegan and Highland Park enforce their own separate floodplain ordinances.

What triggers floodplain review under Lake County Code § 151.147?

Any man-made change to real estate in the regulatory floodplain or floodway, including buildings, grading, filling, excavation, mining, dredging, paving, or drilling operations.

Sources & Official References

[1]Lake County, IL Code of Ordinances (amlegal)

Other rules in Lake County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome Restrictions Erosion ControlSome Restrictions Boat Dock PermitsSome Restrictions Coastal DevelopmentSignificant Restrictions Stormwater ManagementSome Restrictions Flood Elevation RequirementsSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Driveway RulesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Wildlife Rescue PermitsSignificant Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Pet LimitsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Lake County rules

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Flood Zones in Cities Across Lake County

Waukegan, IL