BEEKEEPING AND APIARIES

Homeowner Association Covenants:

Before proceeding with registration, each applicant should determine whether his or her property is subject to homeowner’s association covenants, conditions, or restrictions and whether such restrictions would allow beekeeping.

• Zoning
  • Honey bees are allowed in the Agricultural, Rural Estate, Estate, R1, R2, R3, and R4 zoning districts
  • Hives may not be located in floodways, drainage easements, deed restricted open space, recorded access easements or unbuilt rights-of-way.
• Number of Hives

• Hive Setbacks to Property Lines
  • Minimum 10 feet from property lines
  • Minimum 30 feet from any adjoining road right-of-way, alley, or access easement
• Hive Setbacks to Neighboring Structures
  • Minimum 30 feet away from existing fixed structures on any adjoining parcel (not including storage structures such as garages or sheds)
• On Lots less than 40,000 square feet
  • Hives must be either enclosed behind a minimum four-foot high fence, hedge, or wall, or be identified with appropriate signage, reasonably visible from the apiary
  • If the beehive entrance is oriented to an exterior property line, a six-foot high flyway barrier (in accordance with the Lake County Code UDO 151.113 (P) must be located between the hive entrance and the property line
• Water Supply
  • A supply of water must be continuously available and located closer than water sources on any adjoining parcel.

Per the Illinois Department of Agriculture, hives shall be registered with the Illinois Department of Agriculture and actively maintained in accordance with 510 ILCS 20/1 et seq. the Illinois Bees and Apiaries Act. See Illinois Bees and Apiaries Program for more information.

A REGISTRATION MAY NOT BE ISSUED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Fences

Zoning:

The finished/ornamental side of the fence shall face outward. The maximum height of fence shall be 6 feet.

A permit shall be required when a fence is proposed within:

• Floodplain
• Wetland
• Drainage Easement
• Deed Restricted Open Space
• Within 30 feet of a water’s edge
• a corner lot

Prohibited Locations:

• Floodway
• Recorded Access Easements
• Unbuilt Rights-of-Way

An Affidavit is required for fences in Utility Easements.

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Freestanding Gazebo/Screen Rm.

• Must be freestanding
• The proposed structure cannot be larger than 200 square feet.
• The structure cannot contain any electrical work.
• The structure needs to be a minimum of 6 feet from all rear and side property lines, a minimum 30 feet from all water’s edge, and a minimum of 30 feet from the front property lines.
• If located in the floodplain the structure will need to be anchored appropriately and constructed with flood proof material.
• The structure cannot contain glass or any other type of glazing.
• If the property is served by a water well and/or a septic system, the survey drawing must indicate the location of the water well and septic system (tanks and field).

Prohibited Locations:

• Floodway
• Drainage Easement
• Deed Restricted Open Space
• Recorded Access Easement
• Unbuilt Rights-of-Way

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Freestanding Pergola

• Must be freestanding.
•  Pergola size needs to be less than 200 square feet.
• The structure needs to be a minimum of 6 feet from all rear and side property lines, a minimum 30 feet from all water’s edge, and a minimum of 30 feet from the front property lines.
• If located in the floodplain the structure will need to be anchored appropriately and constructed with flood proof material.
• If the property is served by a water well and/or a septic system, the survey drawing must indicate the location of the water well and septic system. (tanks and field)

Prohibited Locations:

• Floodway
• Drainage Easement
• Deed Restricted Open Space
• Recorded Access Easement
• Unbuilt Rights-of-Way

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

HOOPHOUSES

Homeowner Association Covenants 

Before proceeding with registration, each applicant should determine whether his or her property is subject to homeowner’s association covenants, conditions, or restrictions and whether such restrictions would allow hoophouses.

• Zoning: 
  Hoophouses are allowed on residentially zoned properties if used for the exclusive purpose of growing ornamental plants or for local food production.
• Size of Hoophouses:

• Setbacks:
   Hoophouses are subject to the setbacks for accessory structures
• Street Setbacks
  Hoophouses may not be located between the principal building and any improved road right-of-way. In the case of an unimproved right of way, this provision may be modified by the Planning, Building and Development Department Director in consultation with the appropriate local roadway authority.
• Prohibited locations
  Floodways
  Drainage Easements
  Deed Restricted Open Space
  Recorded Access Easements
  Unbuilt Rights-of-way
• Materials:
   “Hoophouses shall be covered with a colorless and transparent material and shall be maintained intact with all parts secure. Any repairs shall maintain consistency in appearance and condition with the original construction. The hoophouse must be replaced, removed, or repaired upon evidence of deterioration.” UDO151.113 (H) (2)

A REGISTRATION MAY NOT BE ISSUED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Keeping Chickens

Homeowner Association Covenants 

Before proceeding with registration, each applicant should determine whether his or her property is subject to homeowner’s association covenants, conditions, or restrictions and whether such restrictions would allow chickens. 

• The number of hens (female chickens) allowed on single family residential lots is based on the lot size, as follows: 

• Chicken Coop:
  • Hoops may be freestanding or integrated into an accessory structure
  • Freestanding Hoops - Maximum height 8 feet 
  • Minimum 3 square feet per hen
• Chicken Yard
  • Chickens must have access to an enclosed chicken yard
  • Wire mesh fencing materials must retain a flat and uniform plane
• Street Setbacks
  • Chicken coops and yards may not be located between the dwelling and any improved road right-of-way or access easement.
• Side and Rear Yard Setbacks
  • Chicken coops must meet all required rear and side yard setbacks for accessory structures.
• Setbacks to Neighboring Structures
  • Minimum 30 feet away from existing fixed structures on any adjoining parcel (not including storage structures such as garages or sheds)
• Prohibited Locations
  • Coops may not be located in floodways, drainage easements, deed restricted open space, recorded access easements or unbuilt rights-of-way.
• Site Plan and Coop Elevation Sketch
  • Applications must include a site plan identifying the location of the coop on the applicant's property and a coop elevation sketch noting the coop height.
• Management Practices
  • Roosters are NOT allowed on properties less than 200,000 square-feet in size.
  • Hens may be allowed to roam within a fenced back yard, but not outside of the fenced yard
  • Coops must be covered with uniform materials and be maintained intact with all parts secure.
  • Healthy Families and Flocks -  A CDC Brochure outlying best management practices for preventing exposure to salmonella 

Per the Illinois Department of Agriculture, those wishing to keep hens on their premises are advised to complete a Livestock Premises Registration. Visit https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/agr/Animals/AnimalHealth/Pages/Premises-Registration.aspx for more information.

A REGISTRATION MAY NOT BE ISSUED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Minor Demolitions

• Demolition of structure needs to occur within 30 days of the date of registration approval.
• Structure size must be less than 1,500 square feet.
• Area must be stabilized with seed and erosion control blanket immediately following demolition with backfill to existing grade.
• If the property is served by a water well and/or a septic system, the survey drawing must indicate the location of the water well and septic system (tanks and field).

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Re-Roofing - Residential

This registration form is only available to licensed roofers in good standing with the State of Illinois. No permit will be required when proposed improvements consist of only re-roofing your residential structure and work will be performed by a licensed roofer.

 A permit shall be required if: 

1. work will be performed by homeowners, 
2. re-roofing is part of a larger project that involves structural work such as truss work, replacing rafters, interior alterations or additions, or 
3. project is a commercial project

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Re-Siding - Residential

You may complete this registration form (in lieu of applying for a permit) when proposed improvements consist of only re-siding your residential structure. 

1. A permit shall be required if re-siding is part of: 
2. a larger project that involves interior alterations or additions, a commercial project

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Sheds

Zoning:

• Street Setbacks = 30 feet from the street property line (ROW)
• Side/Rear Setbacks = 4 feet from property line 
• Setback from other structure(s) on the property= 4 feet
• Height = 12 feet or less at the roof peak
• No more than 3 accessory buildings on the property
• The total area of all accessory buildings may not exceed 1.5 times the area of the house.

OTHER: 

RV and Mobile Home Parks

• Ineligible, requires a permit

Prohibited Locations

• Floodway
• Wetland
• Drainage Easement
• Utility Easement
• Within 30 feet of water’s edge
• Deed Restricted Open Space
• Recorded Access Easements
• Unbuilt Rights-of-Way

If located in floodplain, the shed shall be anchored with angle-irons, pipe or other similar method NOT involving post-holes and constructed with flood proof material.

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY

Stoop Replacement

• Project must only be an in-kind replacement of an existing concrete stoop.
• Stoop must have a maximum size of 16 square feet.
• The distance between the finished grade and top of stoop must be less than 30 inches.
• Any existing stairs need to remain in their current location.

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF PROPERTY HAS A RED TAG

Window Replacement

• In kind replacement only.
• Windows must have a maximum U-factor of 0.30.
• Skylights must have a maximum U-factor of 0.55.
• Every sleeping room shall have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening. All emergency escape and rescue openings shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches. The minimum net clear opening width shall be 20 inches. Existing emergency escape and rescue windows cannot be reduced in size by more than 5% of the total area of the window if installing a replacement unit within an existing window frame.

A PERMIT IS REQUIRED IF THERE IS AN ACTIVE LAKE COUNTY CODE VIOLATION ON THE PROPERTY