Des Plaines City Code Title 12 (Zoning) and Title 8 (Building) require residential driveways to be paved with approved hard-surface materials and meet width limits set by the Zoning Ordinance. A driveway permit and right-of-way permit for the apron are required from Community and Economic Development.
Under the Des Plaines Zoning Ordinance, single-family driveways must be constructed of concrete, asphalt, brick pavers, or other approved impervious surfaces. Gravel and dirt driveways are not allowed in residential R-1 through R-3 districts. Driveway width at the property line is generally limited to 20 feet for single-family lots, with wider widths permitted for circular drives or three-car garages subject to review. Aprons in the public right-of-way must meet Public Works specifications and require a separate permit. Side-yard setbacks of 2 feet are typical, and parking is restricted to the approved paved surface, not on lawns. Contact Community and Economic Development at (847) 391-5380 for driveway permits and Public Works at (847) 391-5464 for apron permits.
Parking on unpaved or unapproved surfaces may result in citations of $50 to $200 per offense. Building a driveway without permits can trigger stop-work orders, double permit fees, and orders to remove non-conforming work at owner expense.
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines regulates amplified music under Title 6, Chapter 6 of the City Code. Amplified sound plainly audible at 75 feet during daytime, or audible at the...
Des Plaines, IL
Outdoor music in Des Plaines falls under Title 6, Chapter 6's amplified-sound provisions. Backyard gatherings with amplified music must comply with the 10 PM...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits feeding deer, coyotes, raccoons, and other wild animals that creates a nuisance or attracts dangerous wildlife. Bird feeding is general...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines City Code prohibits keeping horses, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and other livestock in all residential and most commercial districts. Only tradi...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines is not located in any wildfire hazard zone. As a fully developed Chicago suburb in Cook County, the City has no wildland-urban interface designat...
Des Plaines, IL
Des Plaines prohibits weeds and rank vegetation over 8 inches and requires control of noxious weeds listed under the Illinois Noxious Weed Law (505 ILCS 100)...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cook County.
See how other cities in Cook County handle driveway rules.
See how Des Plaines's driveway rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.