In order to carry out the purpose and intent of this chapter, the unincorporated area of the County is hereby divided into the following districts:

A.

Residence Districts:

R-1 Single-family residence district

R-2 Single-family residence district

R-3 Single-family residence district

R-4 Single-family residence district

R-5 General residence district

R-6 General residence district

R-7 General residence district

B.

Business Districts:

B-1 Local business district

B-2 General business district

C.

Office Research Districts:

O Office district

O-R Office research district

D.

Industrial Districts:

I-1 Light industrial district

I-2 General industrial district

(2005 Code)

The location and boundaries of the districts established by this chapter are as shown on the zoning district map of each township of the County, which together with all explanatory matter thereon, are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this chapter. The said zoning maps, together with everything shown thereon and all amendments thereto, shall be as much a part of this chapter as if fully set forth and described verbally herein.

(2005 Code)

When uncertainty exists with respect to the boundaries of the various districts as shown on the zoning district maps, the following rules shall apply:

A.

District boundary lines are either the centerlines of railroads, highways, streets, alleys, waterways or easements, or the boundary lines of sections, quarter sections, division of sections, tracts or lots, or such lines extended unless otherwise indicated.

B.

In areas not subdivided into lots and blocks, wherever a district is indicated as a strip adjacent to and paralleling a street or highway, the depth of such strips shall be in accordance with dimensions shown on the maps measured at right angles from the street or highway, and the length of the frontage shall be in accordance with dimensions shown on the maps from section, quarter section, or division lines or centerlines of streets, highways, or railroad rights-of-way unless otherwise indicated.

C.

Where a district boundary line divides a lot as defined herein, the regulations for either portion of the lot may, in the owner's discretion, extend to the entire lot, but not more than twenty-five feet (25′) beyond the boundary line of the district.

D.

Questions concerning the exact locations of zoning district boundary lines shall be interpreted by the Director, Department of Economic Development and Planning.

(2005 Code)

Any additions to the unincorporated area of the County, resulting from disconnection by municipalities shall be classified as R-1 single-family residence districts until otherwise reclassified by amendment.

(2005 Code)

The following uses are exempted by this chapter and permitted in any district:

A.

Cables, conduits, laterals, poles, towers, vaults, wires or any other similar distribution equipment of a public utility as defined in an act entitled, "An Act Concerning Public Utilities," of the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

B.

Agriculture, when situated on a zoning lot of five (5) acres or more provided all buildings associated with the agricultural use, except for single-family homes, shall be set back not less than one hundred fifty feet (150′) from any front property line, and not less than thirty feet (30′) from any side or rear property line. For the purposes of preventing flood damages and preserving the flood carrying capacity of streams, floodplain and wetland regulations shall apply to all buildings, structures, construction, excavation, and filling in the floodplain and wetland whether or not the land, buildings, structures, construction, excavation or filling are for agricultural purposes. Activities such as gardening, plowing, and similar agricultural practices, that do not involve filling, grading or construction of levees, are allowed in regulatory floodplains and/or wetlands and shall not require a conditional use for modification of a regulatory floodplain and/or wetland.

C.

Temporary use of land for the installation, maintenance and operation of facilities used by contractors in the ordinary course of construction activities, provided such facilities shall be located not less than one thousand feet (1,000′) from any building used for residential purposes, and provided that the period of such temporary use shall not exceed the duration of the construction contract.

Any use exempted under this chapter shall be required to obtain a location permit from the Director, Department of Economic Development and Planning or his designate.

(2005 Code)