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 If you are planning to remodel, add an addition or any structure,
even a small shed or a fence, you will want to know the standards
set forth in the ordinances and codes.
Codes protect homeowners and assure that minimum standards of
construction are met. By consulting your local zoning office, you
may save yourself some expense and trouble, as well as protect both
your investment and whoever buys your property in the future by
doing it right the first time.
Below you will find a few areas the city of Lincoln and Logan County
regulations address.
Within Lincoln city limits
If you are remodeling and live in the city of Lincoln, you should be
aware that the city has adopted or updated several building codes in
recent years.
For property changes in Lincoln you would want to contact Building
and Zoning Officer John Lebegue, located in the City Hall. Lebegue
would tell you what codes have been adopted and what permits are
required.
The Building and Zoning Officer "issues permits and conducts field
inspections for all construction projects ranging from utility sheds
to large-scale commercial projects." The department website says,
"The review of building plans, issuance of permits and conduction of
inspections are all done in an effort to protect health, safety and
general welfare of city residents as well as to provide for the
orderly development of the city."
 When international codes appeared in 2000, many states adopted them.
Consistent and standardized code helps people understand what is
required. Lebegue says many cities used to have their own codes, but
now across the country many are adopting a unified code system.
Lebegue says new versions of codes come out about every four years
and that the city of Lincoln codes were recently updated.
Lincoln has adopted several codes including the international
building codes, international fire codes, plumbing codes, and
electrical codes. If you are remodeling, your plans may need to be
reviewed to be sure they comply. These codes are listed on the city
of Lincoln website.
He says whether or not a permit will be needed depends on scope of
what people are doing. For instance, structural changes such as
tearing down walls require a permit.
The Lincoln Building and Zoning Department page on the city's
website says a permit would also be needed for building additions,
utility structures such as garages, storage, sheds, pools, fences;
and electrical or plumbing alterations or additions.
Unincorporated areas of Logan County
New structures and additions
Logan County Zoning Officer Will D'Andrea says, "Setbacks are the
biggest consideration when doing additions." The setback refers to
the distance a building or part of a building is set back from the
property line. If you are adding on the house, you will need to make
sure you still follow the setbacks.
 The setbacks are different based on the zoning district. The
Agricultural District just has a front setback, while the
residential district has minimum setbacks for both front and back.
According to the Ordinance's Section 3 of the Residential District,
the minimum distance in the front needs to be 25 feet, and 30 feet
in the back. The side of the yard should only be ten percent of the
lot width. By example, D'Andrea says a 50-foot lot, the side would
need to have a five-foot setback.
[to top of second column] |
 For building, the maximum ground coverage is 30 percent of the
lot area
Agricultural districts have their own ordinances. Section 3.41-6a of
the zoning ordinances says, "Farmsteads not adjacent to or abutting
a public road right-of-way may have a private road right-of-way of
no less than 30 feet extending from the public road to the existing
farmstead."
Section 8.2 of the zoning ordinances has additional standards
that may need to be considered when renovating or adding on.
For instance:
- Uncovered stairs, landing, and fire escapes may project into
any yard, but not to exceed six (6) feet, and not closer than
three (3) feet to any lot line.
- Architectural projections such as chimneys, flues, sills,
eaves, belt courses and ornaments may project into any required
yard, but such projection shall not exceed two (2) feet.
- Residential fences are permitted on the property lines in
residential districts, but shall not be closer than two (2) feet
to any public right-of-way.
- Security Fences are permitted on the property lines in all
districts, but shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height and
shall be of an open type similar to woven wire or wrought iron
fencing.
D'Andrea says unincorporated areas of Logan County have not
adopted building codes. Recently, the Logan County Planning and
Zoning Committee has been working on developing standards,
though, so once these standards are in place, an addition might
need to be inspected.
These are just a few rules you need to be aware of when
remodeling in the city of Lincoln limits or in unincorporated
areas of Logan County.
If you live elsewhere in Logan County, contact your local city
hall about possible building laws to make sure you are following
the guidelines.
Lincoln
You will find a list of building code and permit links at the
bottom of this city of Lincoln page.
https://www.lincolnil.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=
501&Itemid=57
Logan County
You will find a link to Logan County Codes on this page
https://www.logancountyil. gov/index.php?
option=com_content&view=article&id=220
&Itemid=597
&lang=en
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