Unified Development Ordinance

The City of Waukegan is updating its Zoning Ordinance! This update will create a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that will organize and modify development regulations in Waukegan. The UDO will update and modernize our Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, and Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance.

Upcoming Events and Meetings

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Project Overview

As part of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP) Local Technical Assistance (LTA) Program, the City of Waukegan is beginning the process of updating and modernizing our Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision Ordinance, Sign Ordinance, and Landscape and Tree Preservation Ordinance to create a Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). Originally approved in 1987, the City of Waukegan Zoning Ordinance has since had numerous amendments and will 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.

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. Please visit the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning's (CMAP)  website for some of the following information and become engaged in the process:

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

Click HERE to be redirected to CMAP's website.

Previous Events and Meetings

November 9, 2023 - The City of Waukegan was joined by two guest speakers from the Morton Arboretum and Chicago Region Trees Initiative to present on the benefits of trees in community infrastructure and the different ways we can manage, preserve, and grow our tree canopy. A recording of the presentation can be found here. To learn more about the Morton Arboretum and their mission, visit mortonarb.org

August 24, 2023 - The City of Waukegan hosted guest speaker Lindsey Bayley from CMAP and the Parking Reform Network on a presentation on off-street parking reform. A recording of the presentation can be found here. 

January 12, 2023 - CMAP presented the draft Recommendations Memo to the Planning and Zoning Commission

November 16, 2022 - The UDO project team visited more than 30 businesses and community organizations in Downtown Waukegan and along Grand Ave to spread awareness about the UDO, the potential impacts to local business owners, and collect input. 

July 8, 2022 - The UDO project team attended Scoop to get the word out about the project and gather community feedback.

May 12, 2022 - In partnership with CMAP, the City of Waukegan hosted a UDO outreach workshop at City Hall to get feedback from residents, businesses, and community stakeholders about topics including housing diversity, landscaping, downtown, parking, and signs.