Title
Resolution directing the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals to conduct a public hearing on proposed text amendments to Chapter 151 of the Lake County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances relating to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in unincorporated Lake County.
Staff Summary
• Planning, Building and Development (PBD) staff have evaluated and determined the need to amend existing standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in unincorporated areas.
• Staff’s proposed amendments are designed to increase flexibility in the allowance of ADUs in unincorporated Lake County through an expansion of available zoning districts and reduction of minimum lot sizes for ADUs.
• In accordance with PBD’s current practice for text amendments, a resolution has been prepared for County Board action directing the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to conduct a public hearing upon staff’s completion of corresponding draft amendments.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board adopted the Unified Development Ordinance of Lake County, Illinois, on April 11, 2000; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board incorporated the Lake County Unified Development Ordinance into the Lake County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances as Chapter 151 of the Lake County, Illinois, Code of Ordinances on February 10, 2015; and
WHEREAS, the regulations specified in Chapter 151 of the Lake County Code are being implemented and require periodic review, and revisions may be necessary to these regulations; and
WHEREAS, the Planning, Building and Development Department has determined the need to evaluate and amend existing standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in response to evolving housing needs and opportunities to support attainable housing; and
WHEREAS, the Planning, Building and Development Department will draft proposed amendments to the text of the Lake County Code of Ordinances related to zoning and development standards for accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and will submit such proposed amendments to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) at a public hearing; and
WHEREAS, the Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee is of the opinion that necessary steps should be taken by the Lake County Board to initiate the public hearing process; and
WHEREAS, state law requires a public hearing to amend the text of the Lake County Code of Ordinances.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the ZBA is hereby directed to conduct a public hearing to consider the adoption of regulations, as proposed by the Planning, Building and Development Department, related to accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and such other amendments that are directly related thereto; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Secretary of the ZBA is hereby directed to notify the ZBA of this action and keep a record of this Resolution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Clerk of the County Board shall keep a record of this action.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on September 8, 2026.