Title
Ordinance adopting the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) International Existing Building Code (as amended), and amending the 2024 ICC International Building Code, the 2024 ICC International Residential Code, and the 2023 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 National Electrical Code.
Staff Summary
• The Planning, Building and Development Department periodically updates its building codes. The last update occurred in 2025 with adoption of the 2024 ICC Building Codes and the 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code with amendments.
• To ensure the County complies with new statutory requirements for minimum baseline building codes, adoption of the 2024 ICC International Existing Building Code is necessary.
• Amendments to the 2024 ICC International Building Code, the 2024 ICC International Residential Code and the 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code are also proposed with minor non-substantive changes that reflect language updates, clarifications, and industry best practices.
• If adopted, the new code (as amended) and other amendments will become effective July 11, 2026. Projects in process prior to the effective date will be reviewed under the codes in effect at the time of application submittal.
Body
ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, this County Board has heretofore adopted the 2024 International Code Council (ICC) International Building Code, the 2024 ICC International Residential Code, the 2024 ICC International Mechanical Code, the 2024 ICC International Fuel Gas Code, the 2024 ICC International Swimming Pool and Spa Code, the 2024 ICC International Fire Code, and the 2023 National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70 National Electrical Code; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Code requires periodic review to maintain relevancy and address changing conditions; and
WHEREAS, the Planning, Building and Development Department recommends the adoption of the 2024 ICC International Existing Building Code (as amended), and updates of the 2024 ICC International Building Code (as amended), 2024 ICC International Residential Code (as amended), and 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (as amended) that reflect current construction industry standards and best practices be adopted; and
WHEREAS, three (3) copies of said 2024 ICC International Existing Building Code, (as amended), 2024 ICC International Building Code (as amended), 2024 ICC International Residential Code (as amended), and 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (as amended) have been filed in the Office of the Lake County Clerk pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/5-6002, in compliance with the time-frame set out therein; and
WHEREAS, your Planning, Building, Zoning and Environment Committee duly considered the proposed codes and amendments before described and recommends that the text amendments as specified in Exhibit A be approved.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois that:
Section 1. Effective July 11, 2026 upon passage of this ordinance, the 2024 ICC International Building Code (as amended), 2024 ICC International Residential Code (as amended), 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (as amended), and the 2024 ICC International Existing Building Code (as amended) be and are hereby adopted by reference in unincorporated Lake County, Illinois pursuant to 55 ILCS 5/5-6002 through 5-6006. Applicable amendments to these codes are attached hereto and made part hereof.
Section 2. The Planning, Building and Development Department shall enforce the 2024 ICC International Building Code (as amended), 2024 ICC International Residential Code (as amended), 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (as amended) and the 2024 ICC International Existing Building Code (as amended) within the Planning, Building and Development Department’s areas of jurisdiction.
Section 3. The penalty for violation of any of the provisions of the 2024 ICC International Building Code (as amended), 2024 ICC International Residential Code (as amended), 2023 NFPA 70 National Electrical Code (as amended) and the 2024 ICC International Existing Building Code (as amended), shall be a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) per offense and that each week that the violation exists shall be a separate offense. Nothing herein, however, shall preclude enforcement proceedings by means other than a fine, including injunction proceedings; and
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED, that the Clerk of the County Board shall keep a record of this action.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on May 12, 2026.