Champaign County, IL Parking Rules: Loading Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Zoning Ordinance Section 7.4.2
- Vertical clearance
- At least 14 feet
- Intersection setback
- No berth within 50 feet
- Smallest commercial berth
- 12 x 40 feet (1,000-9,999 sq ft)
- Base thickness
- 6 inches (7 for industrial)
- Maximum fine
- Up to $500 per day, Sec. 10.2.3
Summary
Champaign County's Zoning Ordinance requires commercial and industrial establishments in the unincorporated area to provide off-street loading berths sized and located by a floor-area schedule, not on-street loading zones. Berths need 14-foot vertical clearance and cannot sit within 50 feet of a street intersection.
7.4.2 Off-Street LOADING BERTHS
A. General Provisions
1. All LOADING BERTHS shall have vertical clearance of at least 14 feet. ...
C. Off-street LOADING BERTHS for commercial ESTABLISHMENTS shall be provided as follows: ...
3. No LOADING BERTH shall be located within 50 feet of the nearest point of intersection of two STREETS.
4. All LOADING BERTHS shall be improved with a compacted base at least six inches thick and shall be surfaced with at least two inches of some all-weather dustless material.
5. Schedule of off-street LOADING BERTHS
Full Breakdown
2 of the Champaign County Zoning Ordinance sets the standards for off-street loading berths on unincorporated land (county zoning reaches only the unincorporated area; the City of Champaign and City of Urbana administer their own separate codes). All loading berths must have vertical clearance of at least 14 feet and must be designed with vehicular access to a street or alley that least interferes with traffic movement; no vehicle repair or service work may be performed on a loading berth. For commercial establishments, the number and size of berths is set by a floor-area schedule: one 12x40-foot berth for establishments with 1,000 to 9,999 square feet of floor area, two 10x40-foot berths from 10,000 to 24,999 square feet, two 10x70-foot berths from 25,000 to 39,999 square feet, three 10x70-foot berths from 40,000 to 99,999 square feet, and four 10x70-foot berths from 100,000 to 249,999 square feet, with one additional 10x70-foot berth required for each additional 200,000 square feet of floor area.
No berth may sit within any yard abutting a residential district or within 100 feet of the building restriction line of a lot in an R district or a conforming dwelling unless screened by a Type C screen (Type D if adjacent to an elevated loading dock), and no berth may be located within 50 feet of the nearest intersection of two streets. Berths must be improved with a compacted base at least six inches thick (seven inches for industrial uses) and surfaced with at least two inches of all-weather dustless material.
Residential developments of four or more dwelling or lodging units follow a separate schedule starting at one 12x40-foot berth per ten units. The industrial-use schedule for number and size of berths follows the same commercial floor-area table.
Violations & Fines
Failing to provide the required off-street loading berths, or using a berth for vehicle repair, is a zoning violation. Under Section 10.2.3, the Zoning Administrator or an affected property owner can seek an injunction, and any violation is a petty offense punishable by a fine of up to $500, with each day the violation continues after notice constituting a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Champaign County regulate on-street loading zones?
How many loading berths does a store need in unincorporated Champaign County?
Can a loading berth sit next to a residential lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Champaign County
Compare Champaign County to another location·View the Illinois parking rules overview
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