104 local rules on file · Pop. 1,784 · Lake County
Showing ordinances that apply to Forest Lake, IL
Forest Lake is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 1,784 in Lake County, Illinois. Because Forest Lake is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Lake County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Lake County may have different rules.
Lake County IL regulates amplified music through the UDO noise performance standards and municipal ordinances. Outdoor amplified events require special event permits. Ravinia Festival (Highland Park) operates under a long-standing conditional use arrangement. Home rule cities have broad authority under 65 ILCS 5 to regulate entertainment noise.
Lake County IL does not specifically ban leaf blowers in unincorporated areas. Use is governed by the general noise ordinance and UDO performance standards. Municipalities set stricter rules: Highland Park and Lake Forest restrict gas blower hours; Waukegan, Gurnee, Libertyville, Vernon Hills and Mundelein rely on general time limits. Illinois has no statewide equipment ban.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Lake County ordinances.
Chapter 94 of the Lake County Code regulates construction hours and noise in unincorporated areas. Standard construction hours apply with enforcement through the code enforcement hearing process.
Lake County enforces Illinois Vehicle Code provisions on abandoned vehicles. Vehicles left 7+ days on public property or visibly inoperable on private property may be tagged and towed after notice.
Lake County encourages EV charging installation. Residential Level 2 chargers require an electrical permit from the county or municipal building department. Illinois HOA Act limits HOA restrictions on chargers.
Lake County has no countywide overnight parking ban on unincorporated roads, but seasonal snow-route restrictions apply. Most incorporated municipalities within the county impose 2 AM to 6 AM bans or require permits.
Parking in unincorporated Lake County is regulated by the Lake County Sheriff's Office and the Unified Development Ordinance. Street parking rules vary by road type and jurisdiction.
Driveway construction in unincorporated Lake County requires building permits. Site Development Permits may also be needed depending on drainage and grading impacts.
Commercial vehicle parking and storage in unincorporated Lake County residential areas is restricted by the UDO zoning provisions. Screening requirements apply.
RV and recreational vehicle storage in unincorporated Lake County is subject to UDO zoning provisions. Screening and setback requirements may apply for vehicle storage.
Illinois Home-to-Market Act (410 ILCS 625/4) greatly expanded cottage food operations statewide in 2022. Lake County Health Department oversees registration for most non-potentially hazardous home-produced foods.
Home daycares in Lake County must be licensed by Illinois DCFS and comply with local zoning. Family daycare (up to 8 children) generally allowed in residential districts; group day care home (up to 16) needs special use permit.
Customary home occupations in unincorporated Lake County require a zoning certificate from Lake County Planning, Building and Development under Subsection 151.113(E) of the Unified Development Ordinance. The home occupation must be subordinate to the residential use, conducted by residents of the dwelling, and meet performance standards on employees, signage, parking, traffic, and outdoor activity. Bed and breakfasts may not exceed 50% of the floor area, are capped at five guest rooms, and require Lake County Health Department approval. Rural home occupations (greater intensity) are limited to lots of 80,000 sq ft or larger. Statewide, every business entity must register with the Illinois Secretary of State and the Illinois Department of Revenue (MyTax Illinois / REG-1) and collect 6.25% Retailers' Occupation Tax on taxable goods (35 ILCS 120).
Home occupations in unincorporated Lake County must not generate excessive traffic or other impacts incompatible with residential neighborhoods. UDO zoning provisions apply.
Home occupations in unincorporated Lake County are regulated under the Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 151). Contact Planning, Building and Development at 847-377-2600 for specific home occupation standards.
Signage in unincorporated Lake County is regulated under the UDO sign regulations. Home-based businesses are generally restricted from commercial signage to maintain residential character.
Lake County requires barriers around all residential pools, spas, and hot tubs per Illinois Swimming Pool and Bathing Beach Code and 2018 IRC Appendix G. Minimum 48-inch fence with self-closing, self-latching gates.
Lake County UDO requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet measured from bottom of footing to top of wall. Engineered plans stamped by an Illinois PE required for taller or surcharged walls.
Lake County IL UDO and municipal zoning codes approve wood, vinyl, wrought iron, tubular steel and chain-link for residential fences, with chain-link often restricted in front yards and historic districts. Barbed wire and electrified fences are banned in residential zones. Materials must withstand Illinois freeze-thaw cycles. HOAs in Gurnee, Vernon Hills and Lake Forest often impose stricter standards.
Fences in unincorporated Lake County may qualify for a simplified registration process instead of a full building permit, depending on specifications. A plat of survey is required for all fence registrations.
Illinois Fence Act (765 ILCS 130) governs agricultural boundary fences. In residential unincorporated Lake County, fences must be entirely on private property. No state cost-sharing law for residential fences.
Maximum fence height in unincorporated Lake County is 6 feet. Fences exceeding 6 feet in nonresource zones require a building permit. Sight-obscuring fences must not violate vision clearance.
Lake County treats foundation-built tiny homes as dwellings subject to UDO minimum size and building code rules. Tiny homes on wheels (THOW) treated as RVs; not allowed as permanent residences outside licensed RV parks.
Carports in unincorporated Lake County require a building permit and must meet UDO setbacks and lot coverage limits. Attached carports treated as part of the principal dwelling; detached as accessory structures.
Lake County allows accessory dwelling units in unincorporated areas with limits: no more than one bedroom and no larger than 1,000 square feet. Building permits required.
Building permits required for sheds and all accessory structures in unincorporated Lake County. Some minor improvements may qualify for a simplified registration process. Site Development Permits may also be required.
Garage conversions in unincorporated Lake County require building permits and zoning compliance. Basements are not permitted in accessory structures. Required parking must be maintained.
Lake County actively encourages native Illinois prairie and woodland plants for stormwater management and pollinator habitat. Native plantings are exempt from grass-height nuisance rules when properly maintained.
Lake County permits artificial turf for residential lawns with proper drainage. No countywide permit is required for residential turf replacement, but subdivision HOA covenants may restrict front-yard use.
Rainwater harvesting is permitted throughout Lake County. Illinois has no statewide restriction on rain barrels or cisterns for non-potable use. The Illinois Plumbing Code (77 IAC 890) governs any connection to interior plumbing. Some municipalities offer rain barrel rebates.
Tree removal in unincorporated Lake County may require permits depending on the development context. The UDO includes natural resource protection standards for tree preservation during development.
Lake County UDO includes landscaping and natural resource protection standards for unincorporated areas. Tree preservation requirements apply to development projects.
Water restrictions in unincorporated Lake County depend on the local water supplier. The Lake County Stormwater Management Commission coordinates regional water management.
Tall grass and weeds are cited as nuisance violations in unincorporated Lake County. The Public Nuisance Ordinance addresses property maintenance including overgrown vegetation. Code enforcement handled through hearing process.
Lake County enforces weed abatement. IL Noxious Weed Act (505 ILCS 100) requires destruction of designated noxious weeds. Vacant lots monitored closely.
Lake County IL requires property owners to maintain lots free of excessive brush, weeds and combustible debris under UDO property maintenance standards and municipal nuisance codes. No statewide defensible space law exists; enforcement is by the Lake County Health Department, municipal code enforcement, and local fire districts. Illinois prairie and oak woodland fire risk peaks in spring and fall.
Lake County, IL is not a designated wildfire hazard zone. Illinois has no WUI code and no defensible space mandate. Primary wildland fire risk is grassland and forest preserve fires; open burning rules and IEPA regulations govern vegetation management rather than wildfire zoning.
Smoke alarm rules in unincorporated Lake County come from the Illinois Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60), not the county. At least one approved smoke alarm is required within 15 feet of every sleeping room and on every story (including basements). Effective January 1, 2023 under Public Act 100-0200, every NEW alarm installed in a single- or multi-family dwelling must be a 10-year non-removable, non-replaceable sealed-battery alarm. Hard-wired interconnected alarms (post-1988 construction) and wireless integrated radio-frequency/Wi-Fi alarms are exempt from the sealed-battery rule. Carbon monoxide alarms are separately required within 15 feet of each sleeping room under 425 ILCS 135 (Carbon Monoxide Alarm Detector Act).
Consumer fireworks are illegal statewide in Illinois under the Pyrotechnic Use Act (425 ILCS 35). Only sparklers up to 12 inches and novelty items are legal in unincorporated Lake County.
Open burning of refuse is prohibited in unincorporated Lake County per Illinois EPA regulations (415 ILCS 5). Recreational fires in approved containers may be permitted with conditions.
Portable fire pits are allowed in unincorporated Lake County in approved noncombustible containers with proper clearances. Local fire protection districts may have additional requirements.
Illinois Wildlife Code and Lake County Code prohibit feeding of white-tailed deer and Canada geese. Coyote feeding is discouraged. Bird feeders must not attract nuisance wildlife or bears (rare but documented).
Lake County regulates livestock keeping in unincorporated areas. Western rural townships allow more agricultural activity while eastern suburban areas restrict livestock. Zoning determines what animals are permitted by property classification.
Lake County does not appear to maintain a breed-specific ban for unincorporated areas. Dangerous and vicious dog provisions are behavior-based. Illinois has no statewide breed ban preemption.
Beekeeping in unincorporated Lake County may be regulated under the UDO zoning provisions. The Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act (510 ILCS 20) establishes state registration. Contact Planning, Building and Development.
All dogs and cats must be leashed when off their owner's property in Lake County per Chapter 172 (Animals). Maximum 4 dogs and 4 cats per household. Rabies vaccination and registration required for pets 4 months and older.
Exotic and dangerous animals in unincorporated Lake County are regulated under Chapter 172 (Animals). Lake County Animal Care and Control investigates dangerous animal reports.
Lake County STR hosts in Fox Lake, Antioch, and Libertyville must carry commercial liability insurance of $500K to $1M. Standard homeowner HO-3 policies exclude commercial STR activity — hosts need a rider or commercial policy. Airbnb AirCover alone typically does NOT satisfy local requirements.
STR occupancy in Lake County varies by municipality. Lake Geneva-adjacent Chain O'Lakes STRs (Fox Lake, Antioch, Round Lake) typically cap at 2 per bedroom + 2. Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Lake Bluff effectively ban whole-home STRs through zoning.
Unincorporated Lake County effectively imposes the strictest possible night cap: short-term rentals under 30 days are prohibited entirely in residential zoning districts under the Lake County Unified Development Ordinance (Chapter 151). The county classifies any rental of less than 30 days as a 'retail sales and service use' that is not allowed in residential zones. Illinois has no statewide STR preemption (proposed SB 1735 did not advance). The 30-day floor applies only in unincorporated areas; municipalities such as Waukegan, Highland Park, North Chicago, Lake Bluff, and the other 50 incorporated places set their own STR rules under home-rule authority (Ill. Const. Art. VII §6).
Short-term rentals are prohibited in unincorporated Lake County residential zones. No STR-specific parking rules apply because the activity is banned.
Short-term rentals are prohibited in unincorporated Lake County residential zones. No noise rules apply because the activity itself is banned.
Short-term rentals are prohibited in unincorporated Lake County residential zones. No tax collection pathway exists for prohibited STR activity.
Short-term rentals of single-family homes in residential zoning districts are PROHIBITED in unincorporated Lake County per the Unified Development Ordinance. Bed-and-breakfasts with owner on-site are allowed.
Hot tub installations in Lake County require an electrical permit for the 240V circuit and must comply with barrier rules unless a locked ASTM F1346 safety cover is in place. GFCI and bonding mandatory per Illinois adopted NEC.
Swimming pool construction in unincorporated Lake County requires building permits and compliance with the 2024 International Code Council standards adopted by the county.
Swimming pools in unincorporated Lake County require building permits and must be enclosed by a barrier meeting building code standards. A Site Development Permit may also be required.
Above-ground pools with minimum 42-inch walls may be exempt from separate fencing under Illinois state law. Building permits still required in unincorporated Lake County.
Lake County requires building permits for pools, spas, and hot tubs. Inspections required for electrical, plumbing, and barriers.
Lake County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8 sets minimum setbacks by zoning district. Unincorporated residential R-1 requires 40 ft front, 10 ft side, 40 ft rear; Waukegan, Libertyville, Gurnee, Highland Park, and Lake Forest have their own stricter municipal standards.
Lake County UDO limits residential lot coverage to 30-40% in R-1/R-2 districts. Municipalities like Highland Park and Lake Forest apply stricter impervious coverage ratios, and the Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) triggers stormwater review at 15%+ impervious area.
Lake County UDO caps residential building height at 35 ft or 2.5 stories in R-1/R-2 districts. Lake Forest limits height to 30 ft in estate zones; Highland Park restricts ravine and lakefront heights to protect view corridors along Lake Michigan.
Solar panel installation requires a building and electrical permit in all Lake County municipalities. Permits typically issued in 2-4 weeks under streamlined SolarAPP+ or local review. Illinois follows 2020 NEC with required roof fire setbacks of 3 ft from ridges/edges.
Illinois Homeowners Solar Rights Act (765 ILCS 165) prohibits HOAs and CC&Rs from effectively banning rooftop solar. HOAs in Lake Forest, Vernon Hills, Libertyville, and Gurnee may impose reasonable aesthetic rules but cannot block installation outright.
Lake County IL recreational drone use follows FAA rules under 49 USC §44809 and the Illinois Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act (725 ILCS 167). FAA registration required for drones over 0.55 lbs, 400 ft max altitude, TRUST certificate required. O'Hare Class B airspace restricts most of southern Lake County; Waukegan National Airport creates additional controlled airspace. Forest Preserves ban drone launches.
Lake County IL commercial drone operators must hold FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. O'Hare Class B airspace, Waukegan National and Chicago Executive require LAANC authorization. Municipal filming permits required in Waukegan, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Gurnee. Illinois Freedom from Drone Surveillance Act (725 ILCS 167) and Private Detective Act (225 ILCS 447) apply to surveillance/inspection work.
Lake County follows Illinois Forcible Entry & Detainer Act (735 ILCS 5/9). No just-cause requirement — landlords may non-renew month-to-month with 30 days notice. Evictions must go through the Lake County Circuit Court in Waukegan.
Rent control is BANNED in Lake County under the Illinois Rent Control Preemption Act (50 ILCS 825). No municipality — Waukegan, Libertyville, Gurnee, Highland Park, or Lake Forest — may cap rent. Market rates apply to all rentals.
Waukegan, North Chicago, Highland Park, and Zion require mandatory rental licensing and inspections. Libertyville, Gurnee, and Lake Forest do not require registration but enforce property maintenance codes. Annual fees $25-$100/unit.
Lake County IL municipalities contract with private haulers (Groot, LRS, Waste Management, Lakeshore Recycling Systems) for weekly curbside trash and single-stream recycling. Pickup days vary by city; bins must be curbside by 6-7 AM. Illinois Solid Waste Planning Act (415 ILCS 15) and Lake County Solid Waste Plan drive diversion goals.
Lake County IL municipalities require bins placed at the curb or alley with lids closed on collection day. Bins must be retrieved within 12-24 hours and stored out of view of the public right-of-way between pickups. Winter placement must not block plowed snow routes. HOAs in Vernon Hills and Gurnee often impose stricter storage rules.
Lake County IL municipalities offer scheduled bulk item pickup for furniture, mattresses, and white goods through their franchised hauler. Appliances with refrigerant (fridges, AC units) require EPA Section 608 freon evacuation tag. Electronics and household hazardous waste must go to SWALCO drop-offs. Construction debris is excluded.
Lake County IL municipalities mandate single-stream curbside recycling of paper, cardboard, glass, aluminum/steel cans and plastics #1-#5 through SWALCO-coordinated programs. Contaminated bins may be rejected at the curb. Commercial and multi-family recycling required under Lake County Solid Waste Plan. Plastic bags, food waste and styrofoam are not accepted curbside.
Lake Forest and Highland Park designate heritage/landmark trees, typically oaks, hickories, and specimen hardwoods 24+ inches DBH. Removal requires City Council or commission approval, rarely granted except for imminent safety hazards.
Lake Forest, Highland Park, and Libertyville require tree removal permits for trees 6-10 inch DBH and larger on private property. Waukegan and Gurnee manage parkway/right-of-way trees. The Lake County WDO requires tree preservation during development.
Lake Forest requires 1:1 caliper-inch replacement for permitted removals (3:1 for heritage). Highland Park enforces 2:1 caliper-inch ratio. Libertyville requires replacement or fee-in-lieu to the tree fund. Replacements must use approved native species.
Garage sale signs allowed on private property in Lake County cities. Waukegan, Libertyville, and Gurnee prohibit signs on utility poles, traffic signs, and public right-of-way. Most caps: 4-6 sq ft, posted 24-48 hours before, removed 24 hours after sale.
Political signs are broadly protected as political speech under the First Amendment and Reed v. Town of Gilbert (2015). Lake County and municipalities like Libertyville, Gurnee, and Highland Park allow unlimited quantity on private property; most cap size at 6-32 sq ft and prohibit right-of-way placement.
Lake County and its municipalities permit holiday decorations on residential property with minimal restrictions. Displays cannot obstruct sight lines, create fire/electrical hazards, or violate noise ordinances. Typical allowed window: 45 days before to 30 days after the holiday.
Several Lake County IL municipalities maintain no-knock registries; all honor posted 'No Soliciting' signs at the door. Solicitors who visit registered addresses or ignore signs face citation. Registries do not apply to constitutionally-protected religious, political or nonprofit canvassing under Watchtower v. Stratton (2002). Waukegan, Libertyville, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Vernon Hills operate formal lists.
Lake County IL municipalities require commercial door-to-door solicitors to obtain a peddler/solicitor permit, pass a background check, and carry photo ID badge. Hours typically 9 AM to sunset or 8 PM. Religious, political and nonprofit canvassing exempt under First Amendment and Watchtower Bible Tract Society v. Stratton (2002). Waukegan, Gurnee, Highland Park and Lake Forest all maintain permit programs.
Lake County enforces strict erosion and sediment control under the Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) Article V. Any land disturbance over 5,000 sq ft requires a permit, SESC plan, silt fencing, and stabilized construction entrance per NPDES ILR10 rules.
Lake County WDO requires a Watershed Development Permit for any grading over 5,000 sq ft or 100 cubic yards of fill. Drainage must not redirect stormwater onto neighbors per Illinois civil law rule (reasonable-use doctrine).
The Lake County Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO), administered by the Stormwater Management Commission (SMC), applies countywide. Permits required for 5,000+ sq ft disturbance, floodplain work, or wetland impacts. Fox River, Des Plaines River, and Chain O'Lakes flood-prone areas enforce strict floodway standards.
Waukegan, Highland Park, and Lake Forest enforce strict Lake Michigan coastal bluff setbacks and IDNR Office of Coastal Management review. Lake County WDO also requires 100-ft riparian buffers along the Des Plaines, Fox River, and Chain O'Lakes.
Lake County has extensive floodplain regulations. The Watershed Development Ordinance (WDO) governs all development in floodplains. Lake County is a CRS community, qualifying residents for flood insurance discounts up to 20%.
Under 410 ILCS 705/55-25, Lake County municipalities may regulate or prohibit dispensaries. Waukegan and Gurnee permit dispensaries with conditional use approval and 250-1,500 ft school buffers. Highland Park allows limited dispensaries; Lake Forest and Libertyville have opted to restrict recreational sales.
Under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (410 ILCS 705), only registered medical patients may grow cannabis at home — up to 5 plants in a locked, enclosed space. Recreational home cultivation is PROHIBITED for non-patients. Lake County municipalities cannot authorize recreational home grows.
Lake County municipalities restrict garage sale hours to daylight periods, typically 7 AM-7 PM or 8 AM-6 PM. Highland Park and Lake Forest enforce 8 AM start to protect residential quiet. All items and signs must be removed daily.
Lake County municipalities limit garage sales to 2-4 per household per calendar year. Waukegan allows 3 sales; Gurnee 3; Libertyville 3; Highland Park 2; Lake Forest 2. Each sale is limited to 2-3 consecutive days.
Most Lake County municipalities (Gurnee, Waukegan, Libertyville) do not require a permit for residential garage sales. Highland Park and Lake Forest require free registration. Unincorporated Lake County has no permit requirement; standard zoning applies.
Lake County IL municipalities restrict food truck vending to approved zones with minimum distances from brick-and-mortar restaurants (often 100-200 ft), schools and residential zones. Private property vending requires owner permission and zoning check. Waukegan, Libertyville, Highland Park and Lake Forest maintain specific food truck location programs; Gurnee and Vernon Hills focus on commercial corridors.
Lake County IL food trucks need a Lake County Health Department mobile food vendor permit and municipal business license for each city of operation. Annual vehicle inspection, certified food protection manager (410 ILCS 625), commissary agreement, and liability insurance required. Separate licenses may be needed for Waukegan, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest and Libertyville.
Lake County property maintenance codes require garage sale merchandise to be displayed neatly and removed daily after sale hours. Items left at the curb trigger property-blight citations. Signs must come down within 24 hours of sale end.
Lake County SWALCO coordinates waste management countywide. Residential trash and recycling bins must be stored out of street view between pickups and placed curbside only the evening before or morning of collection.
Lake County unincorporated property owners must maintain vacant lots with weeds and grass under 8 inches per Lake County Code Chapter 38 Nuisances. Code enforcement may abate and lien costs. Municipal ordinances apply inside Waukegan, North Chicago, and incorporated villages.
Lake County Property Maintenance Code enforces minimum standards against blight. Deteriorating exteriors, accumulated debris, overgrown lots, and vacant structures trigger 10-30 day compliance notices with daily fines.
Waukegan requires snow clearance within 24 hours; Highland Park 24 hours after snowfall ends; Lake Forest 24 hours; Libertyville and Gurnee 24 hours. Clear paths must be at least 36-48 inches wide. Unincorporated Lake County has no county-wide requirement.
Light trespass onto neighboring properties is prohibited under Lake County UDO §12.7 and municipal nuisance codes in Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Libertyville. Most cap spillover at 0.1 to 0.5 footcandles at residential property lines.
Lake Forest, Highland Park, Libertyville, and unincorporated Lake County require fully shielded (full-cutoff) outdoor fixtures under local zoning. Most adopt IES standards; Lake Forest caps fixture height at 15 ft in residential zones to protect lake views.
Lake County IL Forest Preserves close from sunset to sunrise under LCFPD Ordinance §7. Municipal parks in Waukegan, Libertyville, Gurnee, Highland Park, Lake Forest, Vernon Hills and Mundelein typically close at 10-11 PM. Lighted athletic fields may extend to 10-11 PM for scheduled use. After-hours presence is criminal trespass under 720 ILCS 5/21-3.
Lake County enforces a juvenile curfew for minors under 17. Nighttime curfew hours typically run 11 PM to 6 AM on school nights with later weekend hours.