(A)   The districts. The county's residential zoning districts are listed below. When this zoning ordinance refers to "residential" zoning districts, it is referring to these districts.

 

   (B)   Purposes. Will County's residential zoning districts are primarily intended to create, maintain and promote a variety of housing and lifestyle opportunities for individual households and to maintain and promote desired form and use concepts designated in the county's Land Resource Management Plan. While the districts primarily accommodate residential use types, some nonresidential uses are also allowed.

      (1)   E-1 and E-2 districts.

         (a)   E-1 and E-2 districts are primarily intended to:

            1.   Help preserve the rural and open space character of areas that are not prime agricultural lands and not suitable for urban or suburban development because of location, topography, soil characteristics, the lack of urban services or other natural or man-made factors;

            2.   Accommodate very large-lot, rural and estate-type residential use;

            3.   Help conserve sensitive natural resources; and

            4.   Allow farming and the keeping of horses and domestic farm animals as an accessory use to the primary residential use of the property.

         (b)   Conservation design subdivisions are allowed and encouraged for new residential developments in E-1 and E-2 districts.

      (2)   R-1, R-2 and R-2A districts.

         (a)   R-1, R-2 and R-2A districts are primarily intended to accommodate detached houses on large lots in areas served by paved roads and where police, fire and emergency medical services are readily available. As with all residential districts, R-1, R-2 and R-2A districts also allow some other uses typically found within residential areas in Will County.

         (b)   Conservation design subdivisions are allowed and encouraged for new residential developments in R-1, R-2 and R-2A districts.

      (3)   R-3 district.

         (a)   The R-3 district is primarily intended to accommodate detached houses in areas served by central water service and paved roads and where police, fire and emergency medical services are readily available. As with all residential districts, the R-3 district also allows some other uses typically found within residential areas in Will County.

         (b)   Conservation design subdivisions are allowed and encouraged for new residential developments in the R-3 district.

      (4)   R-4 and R-5 districts.

         (a)   R-4 and R-5 districts are primarily intended to accommodate detached houses in areas served by central water and sewer and a full range of urban facilities and services, including public transportation. As with all residential districts, R-4 and R-5 districts also allows some other uses typically found within residential areas in Will County.

         (b)   Conservation design subdivisions are allowed and encouraged for new residential developments in the R-4 district.

      (5)   R-6 district. The R-6 district is primarily intended to accommodate a mix of housing types, including townhouses, multi-unit buildings and detached houses. Like the R-4 and R-5 districts, the R-6 district is appropriate for application only in areas served by central water and sewer and a full range of urban services, including public transportation.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   Principal uses are allowed in residential zoning districts in accordance with the regulations of Article 155-7 (Allowed Uses).

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)

   (A)   General. This section establishes basic lot and building regulations that apply in residential districts. These regulations offer certainty for property owners, developers and neighbors about the limits of what is allowed; they are not to be construed as a guarantee that maximum allowed densities and development yields can be achieved on every lot. Other factors, such as topography, the presence of protected resources, health department requirements for well and septic, off-street parking and other factors may work to further limit actual development potential.

   (B)   Basic standards. The lot and building standards of the following table apply to all principal and accessory uses allowed in residential districts, unless otherwise expressly stated in this zoning ordinance. See § 155-18.10 for exceptions to these standards and rules for measuring compliance.

 

(Ord. effective 10- 1-2012; Ord. 18-1, passed 1-18-2018; Ord. 18-192, passed 10-18- 2018; Ord. 19-88, passed 4-18-2019; Ord. 21-139, passed 5-20-2021)

   Uses and development in residential districts may be subject to other regulations and standards, including the following:

   (A)   Conservation design subdivisions. Conservation design subdivisions are encouraged and permitted in E-1, E-2, R-1, R-2, R-2A, R-3, and R-4 districts. See part 3 of the subdivision ordinance for applicable regulations and incentives.

   (B)   Nonconformities. See Article 155-15.

   (C)   Accessory uses. See § 155-10.10.

   (D)   Parking and loading. See Article 155-11.

   (E)   Landscaping and screening. See Article 155-12.

   (F)   Signs. See Article 155-13.

   (G)   Temporary uses. See § 155-10.20.

   (H)   Outdoor lighting. See § 155-14.110.

   (I)   Tents. Tents may not be erected, used, or maintained on any lot, except those used for temporary recreational purposes.

(Ord. effective 10-1-2012)