Waukegan, IL Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Zoning designation
- "A" (allowed by right) in all 17 districts
- Permit required
- None
- Use standard cross-reference
- None listed in Table 9.03-1
- Rain barrel definition
- Above-grade, generally under 500 gallons
- Cistern definition
- Storage container, above or below grade
Summary
Waukegan's accessory use table allows a Rain Barrel or Rainwater Cistern by right ("A") in all seventeen zoning districts, with no building permit and no additional use standard listed, defining a rain barrel as an above-grade container generally under 500 gallons and a cistern as above- or below-grade storage.
Rain Barrel: A container for storing rainwater installed above-grade that generally has a capacity of less than 500 gallons.
Rainwater Cistern: A container for storing rainwater that may be installed either above or below grade.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
03-1 Accessory Uses and Structures gives "Rain Barrel or Rainwater Cistern" an "A" designation across every column, CR, R1 through R5, B1 through B4, H/C, E, R/LI, I, and L1 through L3, and its Use Standards column reads "None," meaning no cross-referenced section adds size, setback, or screening requirements. " That places rain barrels and cisterns in the least-regulated tier of accessory use in the Unified Development Ordinance, alongside items like arbors, compost bins, and flagpoles. Section 13 of the Ordinance separately defines the two terms: a Rain Barrel is "a container for storing rainwater installed above-grade that generally has a capacity of less than 500 gallons," while a Rainwater Cistern is "a container for storing rainwater that may be installed either above or below grade," a broader category that covers larger or buried systems homeowners sometimes install for irrigation. 11, extend automatically to rain barrels or cisterns under the current ordinance text.
Violations & Fines
Because rain barrels and cisterns carry no cross-referenced use standard, there is no permit-based violation tied to installing one; the general nuisance and drainage provisions that apply citywide, such as the prohibition on directing water onto a neighboring lot, remain the only basis for a code complaint against a poorly placed unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to install a rain barrel in Waukegan?
What size counts as a rain barrel versus a cistern in Waukegan?
Are there setback or size rules for rain barrels in Waukegan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukegan
Compare Waukegan to another location·View the Illinois landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.