Waukegan Unified Development Ordinance

Share Waukegan Unified Development Ordinance on Facebook Share Waukegan Unified Development Ordinance on Twitter Share Waukegan Unified Development Ordinance on Linkedin Email Waukegan Unified Development Ordinance link

The Unified Development Ordinance has been approved and this project has been completed.

Aerial view of Waukegan

Project Overview

As part of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program, the City of Waukegan began the process of updating and modernizing their Zoning, Subdivision, Sign, and Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinances to create a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Originally approved in 1987, the zoning ordinance has since had numerous amendments, and would benefit from a comprehensive review and overhaul.

The City of Waukegan, CMAP, and local stakeholders will embark on a community-based process that will align Waukegan's development regulations, land-use practices, and community vision with its 2020 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The UDO will help direct Waukegan's future growth and build its economic strength.

Key Topics

  • Zoning district updates
  • Allowable uses
  • Subdivision standards
  • Zoning applications
  • Special uses, variations, and amendments
  • Parking and lighting
  • Landscaping
  • Signage

Community Background

The City of Waukegan is the most populous city in- and the county seat of- Lake County, Illinois. The City is located within the Chicago metropolitan area along Lake Michigan, situated 40 miles north of the City of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, the population of the City was 89,321. Waukegan offers commuter rail service to Chicago and PACE Bus service. Waukegan features a growing lakefront and downtown area with an active marina, and diverse neighborhoods. The City utilizes several planning documents to guide land use decision-making:

Community Feedback

We want to hear from you! Public input is crucial and encouraged to develop an ordinance that fits the needs of the community. There are many ways to participate and engage in the planning process, starting on this page:

  • Follow the Plan Updates Tab
  • Complete the Community Survey
  • Connect with the Project Contacts
  • Attend Future Community Meetings

Project Overview

As part of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program, the City of Waukegan began the process of updating and modernizing their Zoning, Subdivision, Sign, and Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinances to create a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Originally approved in 1987, the zoning ordinance has since had numerous amendments, and would benefit from a comprehensive review and overhaul.

The City of Waukegan, CMAP, and local stakeholders will embark on a community-based process that will align Waukegan's development regulations, land-use practices, and community vision with its 2020 Comprehensive Land Use Plan. The UDO will help direct Waukegan's future growth and build its economic strength.

Key Topics

  • Zoning district updates
  • Allowable uses
  • Subdivision standards
  • Zoning applications
  • Special uses, variations, and amendments
  • Parking and lighting
  • Landscaping
  • Signage

Community Background

The City of Waukegan is the most populous city in- and the county seat of- Lake County, Illinois. The City is located within the Chicago metropolitan area along Lake Michigan, situated 40 miles north of the City of Chicago. As of the 2020 census, the population of the City was 89,321. Waukegan offers commuter rail service to Chicago and PACE Bus service. Waukegan features a growing lakefront and downtown area with an active marina, and diverse neighborhoods. The City utilizes several planning documents to guide land use decision-making:

Community Feedback

We want to hear from you! Public input is crucial and encouraged to develop an ordinance that fits the needs of the community. There are many ways to participate and engage in the planning process, starting on this page:

  • Follow the Plan Updates Tab
  • Complete the Community Survey
  • Connect with the Project Contacts
  • Attend Future Community Meetings

The Unified Development Ordinance has been approved and this project has been completed.

  • Community workshop on May 12!

    Share Community workshop on May 12! on Facebook Share Community workshop on May 12! on Twitter Share Community workshop on May 12! on Linkedin Email Community workshop on May 12! link

    Join us for a community meeting to learn how zoning regulations impact your day-to-day life.

    Attend this public workshop to help update zoning regulations with feedback from residents, business owners, and local stakeholders. The City of Waukegan is updating its Zoning Code. This update will create a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that will organize and modify development regulations in Waukegan.

    Date: Thursday, May 12, 2022
    Time: 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
    Location: Waukegan City Hall, 100 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.

    The workshop will be held in English and Spanish and provide supervised kids’ activities. More information about the UDO project is available at https://engage.cmap.illinois.gov/ waukeganudo Please contact Jaemi Jackson with questions about the event at jjackson@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8706.