Naperville, IL Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback cap (B4)
- 6 feet maximum
- Max building height (B4)
- 60 feet
- Max floor area ratio (B4)
- 2.5
- Design plan
- Downtown Design Standards, Ord. 11-055
Summary
Naperville caps downtown core building setbacks at six feet and adopts a formal Downtown Design Standards plan to control the streetscape.
For new construction or modifications to any exterior building wall made after January 1, 2012, the setback shall be no greater than six (6) feet from the front lot line and the corner side lot line. If permanent outdoor seating is proposed after January 1, 2012, the setback shall be measured from the limit of the defined outdoor dining area. There are no yard requirements from the rear lot line or the interior lot line in the B4 district.
(Ord. 03-18, 1-21-2003; Ord. No. 11-179, § 3, 12-19-2011; Ord. No. 22-121, § 2, 11-15-2022)
6-7D-8: - HEIGHT LIMITATIONS/BULK REGULATIONS: The maximum floor area ratio for all buildings and structures in the B4 district shall be 2.5. The maximum height shall be 60 feet.
(Ord. 03-18, 1-21-2003; Ord. No. 11-179, § 3, 12-19-2011)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 101).
Full Breakdown
In the B4 Downtown Core District, any new construction or wall modification made after January 1, 2012 must sit no more than six feet back from the front lot line and corner side lot line, effectively a build-to line that keeps storefronts close to the sidewalk; there are no rear or interior side yard requirements. Maximum floor area ratio in B4 is 2.5 and maximum building height is 60 feet. The city also formally adopted freestanding "Downtown Design Standards" as part of its comprehensive master plan, attached to Ordinance 11-055 (the Naperville Downtown2030 plan), which conditional-use and planned-development review in the downtown districts must support.
Violations & Fines
Building or altering an exterior wall beyond the 6-foot setback cap, or exceeding the 60-foot height/2.5 FAR limits, in the B4 district requires a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals before a permit issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a downtown Naperville building be set back from the sidewalk?
Is there a height limit for downtown Naperville buildings?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Naperville
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