Development Codes

Development Codes for Unincorporated Lake County



Access the Lake County Code of Ordinances Title XV: Land Usage: Chapter 151: Unified Development Ordinance

The Unified Development Ordinance includes the County's Zoning, Site Development, Subdivision, and Enforcement Codes.

Building Codes Adopted for Unincorporated Lake County

The Lake County Board has adopted the following building codes with amendments. The list of County amendments to these codes is available through this link: Lake County, Illinois Code of Ordinances Title XV: Land Usage Chapter 150: Building Codes. 

International Residential Code - 2018 Edition

  • Governs construction on one and two family detached dwellings.
  • Guidelines for the construction of one- and two-family detached dwelling. (For specific code requirements please contact the office at 847-377-2600)
  • For residential fire suppression system requirements (residential sprinkler system), contact the Fire Protection District within which your project is located.

Published by:

International Code Council®
5203 Leesburg Pike
Suite 708
Falls Church, VA 22041-3401

Phone: 703-931-4533

National Electrical Code© - 2017 Edition

  • Adopted by Ordinance April 2014
  • Governs construction on one- and two-family detached dwellings and commercial project.

Published by:

National Fire Protection Association, Inc.
One Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02269

Phone: 800-344-3555

State of Illinois Plumbing Code Current Edition

State mandated code with County Amendments

Published by:

Illinois Department of Public Health
525 W Jefferson Street
Springfield, IL 62761

Phone: 217-524-0795

International Building Code - 2018 Edition

Governs construction of commercial projects including multi-family projects with more than 2 units.

Published by:

International Code Council®
5203 Leesburg Pike
Suite 708
Falls Church, VA 22041-3401

Phone: 703-931-4533

International Fire Code - 2018 Edition

Governs construction of commercial projects including multi-family projects with more than 2 units.

Published by:

International Code Council®
5203 Leesburg Pike
Suite 708
Falls Church, VA 22041-3401

Phone: 703-931-4533

International Mechanical Code - 2018 Edition

Governs construction of commercial projects including multi-family projects with more than 2 units.

Published by:

International Code Council®
5203 Leesburg Pike
Suite 708
Falls Church, VA 22041-3401

Phone: 703-931-4533

International Fuel Gas Code - 2018 Edition

Governs construction of commercial projects including multi-family projects with more than 2 units.

Published by:

International Code Council®
5203 Leesburg Pike
Suite 708
Falls Church, VA 22041-3401

Phone: 703-931-4533

International Swimming Pool and Spa Code - 2018 Edition

Governs the construction, alteration, movement, renovation, replacement, repair and maintenance of aquatic vessels.

Published by:

International Code Council®
5203 Leesburg Pike
Suite 708
Falls Church, VA 22041-3401

Phone: 703-931-4533

Illinois Accessibility Code

  • State mandated code
  • Governs construction of commercial projects including multi-family projects with more than 2 units. Applies to all “public facilities” and “multi-story housing unit” as defined and governed by the Environmental Barriers Act and located in whole or in part, within the legal geographic boundaries of the State of Illinois unless specifically exempted.

Published by:

State of Illinois, Capital Development Board
Wm. G. Stratton Building
401 S Spring Street
3rd Floor
Springfield, IL 62706

Phone: 217-782-2864

Illinois Energy Conservation Code

  • The Illinois Energy Conservation Code requires design and construction professionals to follow the latest published edition of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) Standard 90.1 "Energy Standard for Buildings except Low-Rise Residential Buildings" including amendments adopted by the Capital Development Board.
  • Privately Funded Commercial Facilities must comply with IECC per 20 ILCS 3125.  See Subpart C of the Illinois Energy Conservation Code for more information. The 2018 edition of the IECC went into effect on 7/1/19.
  • Residential Buildings must comply with IECC per 20 ILCS 3125. See Subpart D of the Illinois Energy Conservation Code for more information. The 2018 edition of the IECC went into effect on 7/1/19.