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.
Rental registration in Lake County varies dramatically by municipality. Waukegan requires a Residential Rental License under City Code Ch. 15, with annual inspections and a fee of roughly $75 per unit. North Chicago mandates a rental license with biennial inspections for fire safety, smoke/CO detectors, and habitability. Highland Park operates a Rental Housing Program (Code Ch. 98) requiring registration and periodic inspection. Zion and Round Lake Beach also license rentals. In contrast, Libertyville, Gurnee, Mundelein, Vernon Hills, and Lake Forest do NOT require rental registration but enforce International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) adopted locally. All Illinois rentals must comply with: Smoke Detector Act (425 ILCS 60) and CO Alarm Detector Act (430 ILCS 135) requiring working detectors; Lead Poisoning Prevention Act (410 ILCS 45) disclosure for pre-1978 units; Radon Awareness Act (420 ILCS 46) disclosure. Unincorporated Lake County applies the county building code but has no county-wide rental registry.
Operating unlicensed rental in Waukegan or Highland Park: fines $100 to $750 per day per unit. Failed inspection: 30-day correction notice, re-inspection fee $50-$150. Missing smoke/CO detectors: Class B misdemeanor under 425 ILCS 60/3, up to $1,500 fine.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Waukegan, IL
Barking dogs that create excessive noise fall under Waukegan's general noise ordinance and Chapter 4 animal control provisions. Complaints handled by Waukega...
Waukegan, IL
Construction, demolition, and repair noise is exempt from Waukegan's excessive noise ordinance between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Work outside those hours is subje...
Waukegan, IL
Waukegan Municipal Code Chapter 11, Article II regulates excessive noise citywide. Sound audible at 50 feet or more from the source is prohibited on public w...
Waukegan, IL
Waukegan enforces an alternate parking ordinance year-round: odd side on odd days, even side on even days, 12:01 AM to 11:59 AM. No all-night parking on stre...
Waukegan, IL
Commercial vehicle parking on Waukegan residential streets is restricted. The alternate parking ordinance and overnight ban apply to all vehicles including c...
Waukegan, IL
Driveway construction and modifications in Waukegan require permits from the Building & Code Department. Curb cut permits required for new driveways per Sect...
See how Waukegan's rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.