Zoneomics Logo
search icon

Hecker City Zoning Code

ARTICLE VII

ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS

40-7-1 APPLICABILITY OF ARTICLE.

   This Article establishes lot and structure requirements and design/operational standards for specific, potentially troublesome structures and uses. These regulations apply in every zoning district where the specific structure or use is permitted or allowed by special-use permit; but if more stringent regulations are applicable in any particular district, such regulations shall prevail.

40-7-2 AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES.

   (A)   Farm Animals. No barn, stable, shed, or other structure intended to shelter farm animals shall be erected closer than three hundred (300) feet to any existing dwelling, or closer than two hundred (200) feet to any lot line of residential property, whichever distance is greater. Similarly, fences shall be erected, or other means shall be taken to prevent farm animals from approaching closer than three hundred (300) feet to any existing dwelling or closer than two hundred (200) feet to any lot line or residential property, whichever distance is greater.
   (B)   Farm Equipment/Commodities. No agricultural equipment or commodities (including, but not limited to, baled crops, fertilizer, pesticides/herbicides) shall be stored outdoors closer than three hundred (300) feet to any existing dwelling or closer than two hundred (200) feet to any lot line of residential property, whichever distance is greater. If said equipment/commodities are stored within a completely enclosed structure, said structure shall be located at least one hundred (100) feet from any lot line of residential property.
   (C)   Barbed Wire/Electrical Fences.  (See Section 40-7-3(A).)

40-7-3 FENCES, WALLS.

Publisher's Note: This Section has been AMENDED by new legislation (Ord. 25-02 , adopted 3-11-2025). The text of the amendment will be incorporated below when the ordinance is codified.
   (A)   No barbed wire or electrically charged fence shall be erected or maintained anywhere in the Village, unless a special-use permit is granted. Agricultural districts are exempt from the paragraph.
   (B)   No fence, wall, or other obstruction shall be erected within any public right-of-way or utility easement, except by written permission of the Zoning Administrator.
   (C)   No fence, wall, or other obstruction shall be erected in violation of the Illinois Drainage Code, 70 ILCS 605/2-1 through 2-13, as amended from time to time.
   (D)   Fences, walls, and hedges in any district may be located on lot lines, provided such fences, walls and hedges exceeding six (6) feet in height shall be subject to the minimum yard requirements of the district in which such fences are located.
   (E)   Every fence, wall or other obstruction shall conform to the special height restrictions applicable in areas near intersections. (See Section 40-3-18(B))

40-7-4 HOME OCCUPATIONS.

   A “home occupation” means any business, profession, or occupation conducted for gain or support entirely within any dwelling or on any residential premises. Within the Village, every home occupation shall be considered a special use. No home occupation shall be established or conducted except in conformity with the following regulations.
   (A)   Floor Space. The total area devoted to a home occupation shall not exceed twenty-five percent (25%) of the gross floor area of the dwelling, or three hundred (300) square feet, whichever is less.
   (B)   Dwelling Alterations. In any residential district, a dwelling shall not be altered to accommodate a home occupation in such a way as to materially change the residential character of the building.
   (C)   Outdoor Storage. In any residential district, unenclosed storage of equipment or materials used in connection with a home occupation is prohibited.
   (D)   Nuisances. A home occupation shall not generate any offensive noise, vibration, smoke, dust, odors, heat, glare, or electrical interference noticeable at or beyond the lot lines.
   (E)   Parking. (See Section 40-5-7)
   (F)   Signs. (See Section 40-6-8)

40-7-5 JUNK YARDS.

   (A)   No part of any junk yard, which includes any lot on which three (3) or more inoperable vehicles are stored, shall be located closer than five hundred (500) feet to the boundary of any residential district.
   (B)   All vehicles, parts, and equipment shall be stored within a completely enclosed structure or within an area screened by a wall, solid fence, or closely-planted shrubbery at least ten (10) feet high and of sufficient density to block the view from adjacent property.
(See definition of “Junk Yard”, Section 40-2-2)

40-7-6 NURSING HOMES.

   (A)   The lot on which any nursing home is situated shall have a minimum width and depth of two hundred (200) feet, and a minimum area of two (2) acres.
   (B)   The principal building of any nursing home shall be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from all lot lines.

40-7-7 RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.

   The regulations of this Section do not apply to travel trailers or other recreational vehicles parked in a permitted travel trailer park that conforms to the pertinent requirements of the Manufactured Housing Code. The requirements of paragraphs (A), (C), and (D) do not apply to travel trailers or other recreational vehicles parked on a permitted recreational vehicle sales lot.
   (A)   Not more than two (2) travel trailers or recreational vehicles shall be parked on any lot. They shall not be parked on a street.
   (B)   No travel trailer or other recreational vehicle shall be used as a dwelling.
   (C)   No travel trailer or other recreational vehicle shall be used as an office or for any other commercial purpose.
   (D)   Travel trailers or recreational vehicles shall be required to have setbacks as required for accessory buildings.
   (E)   No travel trailer or other recreational vehicle shall be parked on any front yard.
   (F)   No unlicensed manufactured home may be located in a travel trailer or recreational vehicle park.

40-7-8 SERVICE STATIONS.

   (A)   All gasoline pumps and other service facilities shall be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from any street right-of-way line, side lot line, or rear lot line.
   (B)   Every access way shall be located at least two hundred (200) feet from the principal building of any fire station, school, public library, church, park or playground, and at least thirty (30) feet from any intersection of public streets.
   (C)   Every device for dispensing or selling milk, ice, soft drinks, snacks, and similar products shall be located within or adjacent to the principal building.
   (D)   All trash receptacles, except minor receptacles adjacent to the gasoline pumps, shall be screened from view.
   (E)   Whenever the use of a service station has been discontinued for twelve (12) consecutive months or for eighteen (18) months during any three (3) year period, the Administrator shall order that all underground storage tanks be removed or filled with material approved by the Fire Chief.
   (F)   A permanent curb of at least four (4) inches in height shall be provided between the public sidewalk and the gasoline pump island, parallel to and extending the complete length of the pump island.

40-7-9 SWIMMING POOLS.

   (A)   No private swimming pool shall be located in any front yard or closer than ten (10) feet to any side or rear lot line.
   (B)   Every swimming pool that is more than two (2) feet deep shall be enclosed by a wall or fence at least four (4) feet in height. The passage through such wall or fence shall be equipped with a gate capable of being secured with a locking device. The foregoing requirement for enclosure shall not apply to a swimming pool which is (a) intended and suitable for temporary installation and seasonal removal and (b) not surrounded or incorporated within a deck, patio or similar permanent structure; provided that such has a ladder or similar means of access that is removed when the pool is unattended.
   (C)   All lights used to illuminate any swimming pool shall be arranged or shielded so as to confine direct light rays within the lot lines to the greatest extent possible.
(See Chapter 6 – Article IV and Chapter 29 – Property Maintenance Code) (Ord. No. 22-02; 05- 10-22)

40-7-10 UTILITY SUBSTATIONS.

   Every electrical substation, gas regulator station, telephone exchange facility, private sewage treatment plant, private water storage facility, or similar facility shall be deemed a special use, and shall conform to the following regulations:
   (A)   Every lot on which any such facility is situated shall meet the minimum area and dimension requirements of the district in which it is located. Every part of any such facility shall be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from all lot lines, or shall meet the district setback requirements, whichever is greater.
   (B)   In any residential district, each such facility shall be designed, constructed, and operated so that it is compatible with the residential character of the area.
   (C)   Screening at least ten (10) feet in height and of sufficient density to block the view from adjacent property shall be installed around every such facility. Furthermore, if the Administrator determines that the facility poses a safety hazard (for example, if there are transformers exposed), he shall require that a secure fence at least ten (10) feet in height be installed behind the planting screen.

40-7-11 LIGHTING CONTROLS.

   Any light used for the illumination of signs, parking areas, swimming pools, or for any other purpose shall be arranged in such manner as to direct the light away from neighboring residential properties and away from the vision of passing motorists.