Cook County, IL Parking Rules: RV & Boat Parking (2026)
Key Facts
- Base rule
- No visible RV/boat storage on lot
- Township opt-in
- Max 2 RVs, lots 1+ acre
- Rear yard size limit
- 32 ft long, 12 ft high
- Screening required
- 5-ft evergreens or wood fence
- Penalty
- $100-$1,000 per day, per offense
Summary
In unincorporated Cook County, RVs, boats, and trailers can't be parked or stored on a residential lot unless garaged, enclosed, or hidden from the street and neighboring lots.
Trailers, recreational vehicles and boats. Travel trailers, camping trailers, recreational vehicles, motor homes, boats, boat trailers and miscellaneous trailers shall not be parked or stored on a zoning lot, except when located in a garage, a fully enclosed structure or in such a location that they are not visible from adjacent rights-of-way or from other zoning lots.
Full Breakdown
Cook County Zoning Ordinance § 4.1.9.C bars parking or storing travel trailers, camping trailers, RVs, motor homes, boats, boat trailers, and other trailers on a residential zoning lot in unincorporated Cook County, unless the unit sits in a garage, a fully enclosed structure, or a spot not visible from the street or neighboring lots. Townships that opt in by board ordinance may instead allow up to two RVs on lots of an acre or more, with size and setback limits (20 ft in a side yard; 32 ft long and 12 ft high in a rear yard), evergreen or fence screening, and a ban on hookups or overnight living use.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by the Zoning Administrator/Department of Building and Zoning. Zoning Ordinance § 13.10 sets a fine of $100 to $1,000 per offense, and each day a violation continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I park my RV in my front yard in unincorporated Cook County?
Does this rule apply inside Chicago or other Cook County towns?
Can someone live in a parked RV on their property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
How Cook County compares: Cities with the Strictest Parking Rules·Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois parking rules overview
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