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CHAPTER 16.60: SITE DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS
Section
   16.60.010   General development standards
   16.60.020   Exterior lighting
   16.60.030   Permitted encroachments
   16.60.040   Environmental performance standards
   16.60.050   Street naming and numbering
   16.60.060   (Reserved)
§ 16.60.010 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS.
   A.   Number of Principal Buildings on a Lot or Parcel.
      1.   In the agricultural and residential zoning districts, excluding the R-2 and R-3 Districts, a maximum of one (1) dwelling unit is permitted per lot or parcel. However, where allowed by the Ordinance, this does not apply to the presence of an ancillary dwelling unit.
      2.   In the R-2 District, a maximum of one (1) residential structure containing a maximum of two (2) dwelling units is permitted per lot or parcel. However, where allowed by the Ordinance, this does not apply to the presence of an ancillary dwelling unit.
      3.   In all other districts, multiple principal buildings may be erected on a single lot or parcel provided that each building complies with all bulk and setback requirements of the district. See § 16.56.030B.4.a. for additional rules for agricultural exempt structures.
      4.   The owner of a parcel may construct a replacement structure on the same lot or parcel prior to the demolition of an existing structure, provided that:
         a.   The replacement structure complies with all applicable bulk and setback requirements of the district.
          b.   The property owner enters into a legally binding agreement with the County stipulating that occupancy of the second structure is tied to a demolition schedule for the first structure.
         c.   The property owner posts a letter of credit in the amount of one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the cost of demolition and removal of the first structure, in a form approved by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. This letter of credit may be redeemed by the County if the property owner defaults on the agreement.
   B.   Frontage on a Public or Private Street. All lots and parcels shall front on a public or private street.
   C.   Required Setbacks. Required setbacks are measured as the minimum dimension required by a zoning district measured from the applicable lot lines (see Figure 16.60-1: Required Setbacks). Required setbacks are defined as follows:
      1.   The required street setback extends along the front and corner side lot lines between the front, interior side, and rear lot lines, for the required minimum depth specified by the zoning district in which the lot is located, measured perpendicular to the applicable lot line.
Figure 16.60-1: Required Setbacks
 
         a.    For residential uses in the agricultural and residential zoning districts, the minimum required street setback is established in Table 16.36-1 . However, the required street setback may also be established by either of the following alternate methods:
            (1)   The platted street setback.
            (2)   The average of the street setback of existing homes on the same side of the blockface when sixty percent (60%) of the blockface is developed. For blockfaces that extend more than six hundred (600) feet, only parcels located within three hundred (300) feet of either side of the lot shall be considered.
      In no case shall a street setback be reduced to less than ten (10) feet, unless granted by a zoning variation.
      2.   The required interior side setback extends along an interior side lot line between the front and rear setbacks, for the required minimum depth specified by the zoning district in which the lot is located, measured perpendicular to the interior side lot line.
         a.    On nonconforming lots or parcels of record, setbacks for single-family dwellings and residential accessory structures may be reduced from the setbacks established by the bulk and setback tables of this Ordinance, per § 16.80.050D. (Reduced Setbacks).
         b.    On lots or parcels with an interior side lot line that abuts a body of water or waterway, principal and accessory structures are allowed a zero-foot (0') waterfront setback, subject to the McHenry County Stormwater Management Ordinance.
      3.   The required rear setback extends between the side lot lines for the required minimum depth specified by the zoning district in which the lot is located, measured perpendicular to the rear lot line.
         a.   On lots or parcels with a rear lot line that abuts a body of water or waterway, principal and accessory structures are allowed a zero-foot (0') waterfront setback, subject to the McHenry County Stormwater Management Ordinance.
      4.   Permitted encroachments are described in Table 16.60-1: Permitted Encroachments. An encroachment is the extension of an attached accessory structure or architectural feature of a principal dwelling into a required setback as listed in Table 16.36-1: Zoning Districts Bulk and Setback Regulations or as allowed under § 16.80.050D. (Reduced Setbacks).
         If the principal dwelling is a nonconforming structure, the amount it encroaches into the required setback in Table 16.36-1 is added to the allowed encroachment amount granted in Table 16.60-1 . With the exception of accessibility ramps, encroachments shall not result in an attached accessory structure or architectural feature being constructed closer than ten (10) feet from a street lot line, fifteen (15) feet from a corner side lot line, or five (5) feet from an interior side or rear lot line. Encroachments into recorded easements are prohibited without the express written permission of the easement holder(s) to which the easement is granted.
TABLE 16.60-1: PERMITTED ENCROACHMENTS
Y= Permitted // N= Not Permitted
Attached Accessory Structure or Architectural Feature
Front Setback
Corner Side Setback
Interior Side Setback
Rear Setback
TABLE 16.60-1: PERMITTED ENCROACHMENTS
Y= Permitted // N= Not Permitted
Attached Accessory Structure or Architectural Feature
Front Setback
Corner Side Setback
Interior Side Setback
Rear Setback
Accessibility Ramp
- No encroachment restrictions
Y
Y
Y
Y
Air Conditioner Window Unit
- No more than 18" into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Air Conditioner/HVAC Condensing Unit/Generators
- No more than 3' into a required setback
N
Y
Y
Y
Awning and Canopy
- Minimum clearance of 7'6"
- No more than 2' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Balcony
- Shall be located at least 2' above ground
- No more than 4' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Bay Window
- No more than 3' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Carport
- No more than 5' into a required setback
N
Y
Y
Y
Chimney
- No more than 24" into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Deck, Patio (>4" above grade), or Pergola
- Shall be unenclosed
- No more than 5' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Eaves of the principal structure
- No more than 4' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Exterior Stairwells
- No more than 5' into a required setback
N
N
Y
Y
Fire Escape
- No more than 5' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Porch
- Shall be unenclosed
- No more than 5' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Sills, belt course, cornices, and ornamental features of the principal structure
- No more than 3' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
Steps and stoops
- No more than 10' into a required setback
Y
Y
Y
Y
 
   D.   Effective Yards. An effective yard is the space located between a structure and the adjoining lot lines. (See Figure 16.60-2: Effective Yards.) In this Ordinance, certain accessory structures are prohibited from locating within effective yards. The distinction is made because certain principal buildings may be set back further than required by district standards, thereby creating a yard larger than the minimum required setback dimension.
      1.   The effective street yard extends from the closest point of the front and corner side building lines of the principal building to the front and corner side lot lines. A yard that abuts an alley is not an effective street yard.
      2.   The effective interior side yard extends from the closest point of the side of the principal building to the interior side lot.
      3.   The effective rear yard extends from the closest point of the rear of the principal building to the rear lot line.
Figure 16.60-2: Effective Yards
 
   E.   Contiguous Lots or Parcels. In the event that the construction of a building or the establishment of a use requires multiple lots or parcels in order to meet the lot area, setback, or lot or parcel dimensional requirements of this Ordinance for the building or use, the lots or parcels shall be deed restricted prior to construction of the building or establishment of the use using County approved deed restriction language.
   F.   Building Height.
      1.   Principal Building Height.
         a.   Principal building height is measured as the vertical distance from the average ground elevation to:
            (1)   The highest point of the coping of a flat roof.
            (2)   The deck line of a mansard roof.
            (3)   The mean height level that is located midway between the eaves and ridge for gable, hip, or gambrel roofs.
         b.   Chimneys, architectural towers, spires, elevator penthouses, cooling towers, and similar appurtenances are not included in calculating building heights.
         c.   See § 16.56.050A. (Accessory Structures – General Regulations) for accessory structure height limits.
Figure 16.60-3: Principal Building Height Measurement
 
      2.   Exempt Structures. The following structures or their appurtenances are exempt from the height limitations within the zoning districts, unless limited by height restriction imposed by an airport authority or similar agency operating an airport, or other state or federal exemptions:
         a.   Agricultural buildings.
         b.   Bell towers.
         c.   Bulk storage towers and silos.
         d.   Cooling towers.
         e.   Flagpoles not used for advertising.
         f.   Gravity feed apparatus.
         g.   Public utility poles, towers, wires, and other apparatus.
         h.   Smokestacks.
         i.   Towers and antennas, subject to the conditions of §§ 16.56.030RR. and 16.56.030SS.
         j.   Water storage towers, tanks, and standpipes.
         k.   Wind energy systems, subject to the conditions of § 16.56.030TT.
         l.   Attached accessory structures, subject to the conditions of § 16.60.030.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 15.1; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018; Ord. O-201911-ZBA-057, passed 11-19-2019)
§ 16.60.020 EXTERIOR LIGHTING.
   A.    New installations of permanent lighting for a commercial or industrial use must use a fully shielded lighting fixture positioned so as to prevent direct view of the bulb or polished reflective surface through a window of a residence. (See Figure 16.60-4)
   B.   New installations of permanent lighting for a residential use must be positioned so as to prevent direct view of the bulb or polished reflective surface through a window of a residence, with the exception of ‘period-style” fixtures. (See Figure 16.60-4)
   C.   Installations of non-permanent lighting is allowed without shielding so long as it is done in conjunction with a temporary use permit or for primarily decorative purposes, such as holiday lighting.
Figure 16.60-4: Exterior Lighting
 
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 15.2; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.60.030 PERMITTED ENCROACHMENTS.
   A.   Purpose. The landscape and screening requirements are intended to preserve and enhance the appearance, public health, safety, and welfare of the County by fostering an aesthetically pleasing development. Proper landscape contributes to the County in many ways: enhancing its character and scenic beauty, providing clean air, reducing noise, preventing erosion of topsoil, reducing the rate of stormwater runoff, providing nesting areas for birds and habitat for other wildlife, conserving energy, and providing shade and windbreaks. These regulations are also intended to increase the compatibility of adjacent uses, and minimize the adverse impact of noise, dust, motor vehicle headlight glare or other artificial light intrusions, and other objectionable activities or impacts conducted on, or created by, adjoining or neighboring uses.
   B.   Applicability. The landscape and screening requirements established by this Section apply to property in the commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts. Property in the agricultural and residential zoning districts are exempt. Landscape and screening standards must be met for buffer yards, refuse storage areas, loading berths, and parking lot perimeters and interiors.
   C.   Enforcement of Landscape Provisions. No occupancy permit will be issued for any structure, subject to the requirements of this Section, unless all the requirements have been met. Failure to implement the landscape plan or to maintain the lot or use in substantial conformance with the landscape plan is cause for an enforcement action including the possible application of fines and penalties, as established in this Ordinance. In addition, all landscape is subject to periodic inspection.
      1.   If weather prohibits the installation of landscape at the time an occupancy permit is applied for, the applicant can provide the County with a letter of credit or cash in the amount required to complete landscape installation in order to receive an occupancy permit, which will be returned upon completion of required landscape.
      2.   Landscape materials depicted on approved landscape plans are considered required site plan elements in the same manner as buildings, parking and other improvements. As such, the owner or, if applicable, the homeowners association is responsible for the maintenance, repair and replacement of all landscape materials, and fences, steps, retaining walls, and similar landscape elements over the entire life of the development.
      3.   All landscape materials shall be maintained in good condition, present a healthy, neat and orderly appearance, and kept free of refuse and debris. Unless an extension is granted due to weather, any dead, unhealthy, or missing plants shall be replaced within thirty (30) days of notification by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Fences, steps, and retaining walls and similar elements shall be maintained in good repair. The owner of the premises is responsible for the maintenance, repair, and replacement of all landscape materials, fences, steps, retaining walls and similar elements, and refuse disposal areas. Irrigation systems, when provided, shall be maintained in good operating condition.
   D.   Required Landscape Design Standards. Required landscape plans, as described above, shall be evaluated and approved based on the following design criteria.
      1.   The scale and nature of landscape materials shall be appropriate to the size of the site and related structures.
      2.   Plant material shall be selected for its form, texture, color, pattern of growth, and suitability to local conditions. Species shall be considered for hardiness, year-round interest, color, habitat and food source for birds and animals, and use in similar locations in other communities. Trees with inappropriate root systems for an area or those generally not recommended by landscape architects are not permitted.
      3.   All planting materials used shall be of good quality. The use of species native to northeastern Illinois is encouraged. Size and density of plant material, both at the time of planting and at maturity, should be considered when selecting plant material. Where appropriate, the use of drought and salt tolerant plant material is preferred.
      4.   All plant materials shall be free of disease and installed so that soil of sufficient volume, composition, and nutrient balance are available to sustain healthy growth.
      5.   Unless specified otherwise in this ordinance, trees and shrubs shall be sized as follows at planting:
         a.   All deciduous shade trees shall have a minimum trunk size of three (3) inches in caliper at planting.
         b.   Evergreens trees shall have a minimum height of eight (8) feet at planting.
         c.   Single stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum trunk size of three (3) inches in caliper at planting. Multiple stem ornamental trees shall have a minimum height of eight (8) feet at planting.
         d.   Unless otherwise specified, all large deciduous and evergreen shrubs shall have a minimum height of three (3) feet at installation, and all small deciduous and evergreen shrubs shall have a minimum height of eighteen (18) inches at installation. Large shrubs are those that reach five (5) or more feet in height at maturity. Small shrubs are those that can grow up to five (5) feet in height if left unmaintained, but are generally kept at heights of eighteen (18) to thirty (30) inches.
      6.   Species diversity in required plant material is required for visual interest and to reduce the risk of losing a large population of plants due to disease. Table 16.60-2: Species Diversity indicates the of diversity required based on the total quantity of species being used. (For example, if a landscape plan requires 12 trees, a minimum of three tree species is required.)
TABLE 16.60-2: SPECIES DIVERSITY
TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUIRED PLANTINGS PER EACH PLANT TYPE
MINIMUM NUMBER OF SPECIES
TABLE 16.60-2: SPECIES DIVERSITY
TOTAL NUMBER OF REQUIRED PLANTINGS PER EACH PLANT TYPE
MINIMUM NUMBER OF SPECIES
1-4
1
5-10
2
11-15
3
16-75
5
76-500
8
500-1,000
10
1,000+
15
 
   E.   Buffer Yards. This section establishes standards for the dimensions and improvement requirements of buffer yards between land uses and/or zoning districts within the rear or interior side yard. (See Figure 16.60-5: Buffer Yard Landscape)
Figure 16.60-5: BUFFER YARD LANDSCAPE
 
      1.   As of the effective date of this Ordinance, buffer yards are required for new commercial or industrial construction or uses that abut a property with an existing residential use in a residential zoning district or the A-2 District, unless separated by a street or alley. When new commercial construction locates next to an existing residential use, the new commercial construction shall provide the buffer yard. If a new residential use locates next to an existing commercial use, the existing commercial use is not required to provide a buffer yard and is not considered nonconforming. Agricultural buildings and uses are not required to provide buffer yards.
      2.   Buffer yards are required along the interior side and rear lot lines. Buffer yards may be located within required setbacks, but shall be reserved for the planting of material and installation of screening as required by this section. No parking, accessory buildings, or other structures are permitted within the buffer yard area.
      3.   All plantings in the buffer yard shall meet the following standards:
         a.   The buffer yard planting area shall be a minimum of five (5) feet in width in addition to the area provided for the required fence or wall.
         b.   Shade trees shall be planted on an average of one (1) tree for every twenty-five (25) linear feet of yard length. As part of the landscape plan approval, trees may be spaced at various intervals based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of trees planted shall be no less than the amount required by a linear planting spaced twenty-five (25) feet apart.
         c.   An opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), solid fence, or dense evergreen hedge, at least six (6) feet in height, is required along one hundred percent (100%) of the yard length. The fence may be located on the inside of the landscape plantings (adjacent to the non-residential use) or may be located on the outside of the landscape plantings (adjacent to the existing residential use in a residential zoning district or the A-2 District).
         d.   Shrubs shall be planted on an average of one (1) shrub for every three (3) feet of yard length. As part of the landscape plan approval, shrubs may be spaced at various intervals based on specific site requirements or design scheme, but the total number of shrubs planted will be no less than the amount required by a linear planting spaced three (3) feet apart.
   F.   Screening Requirements.
      1.   Refuse Disposal Dumpsters and Refuse Storage Areas. All refuse containers shall be fully enclosed on three (3) sides by an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick) or wall of the principal structure six (6) feet in height, or a solid fence, and the enclosure shall be gated. The materials used for screening, including the enclosure, shall complement the architecture of the principal structure. An extension of an exterior principal structure wall may be used as one of the screening walls for a refuse container, provided that such wall meets the minimum six (6) foot height requirement and is of the same building materials as the principal building. Such wall may not be the gated enclosure.
      2.   Loading Berths. Where feasible, loading berths should be located and oriented so as not be visible from the street and adjacent properties, while still allowing access to the use it is serving. In addition, loading berths in all zoning districts shall be screened from view, unless such screening is determined unnecessary by the Zoning Enforcement Officer. Such screening shall consist of an opaque masonry wall (stone, stucco or brick), a solid fence, or dense evergreen hedge, at least six (6) feet in height.
   G.   Parking Lot Landscape.
      1.   Applicability.
         a.   Interior parking lot landscape is required for new or expanded parking facilities that consist of fifteen (15) or more paved spaces. This Section applies whether the parking facilities are required to be paved by this Ordinance or have been paved voluntarily.
         b.   Perimeter parking lot landscape is required for new or expanded parking facilities within ten (10') feet of a right-of-way that consist of fifteen (15) or more paved spaces. This Section applies whether the parking facilities are required to be paved by this Ordinance or have been paved voluntarily.
         c.   For existing parking lots in the commercial, office, and industrial zoning districts that currently do not comply with the required parking lot landscape standards, such landscape is required when a new principal building is constructed or an existing building or use is expanded to the extent that the parking lot is required to be expanded by fifty percent (50%) or more.
         d.   Nothing in this Section prevents the applicant’s voluntary installation of additional landscape.
      2.   Parking Lot Perimeter Landscape. Parking lot perimeter landscape provides for the enhancement and screening of parking lots by requiring a scheme of pedestrian walls and/or landscape along public streets. The landscape treatment shall run the full length of the parking lot and be located between the property line and the edge of the parking lot. Landscape areas outside of shrub and tree masses shall be planted in live groundcover. (See Figure 16.60-6: Parking Lot Perimeter Landscape.) The landscape area shall be improved as follows:
         a.   The perimeter parking lot landscape area shall be at least five (5) feet in width, as measured from the back of curb or wheelstop.
         b.   One (1) shrub, measuring a minimum of eighteen (18) inches at planting and a minimum of three (3) feet at maturity, shall be planted for every three (3) feet of landscape area length, spaced linearly to adequately screen vehicle bumpers. Alternatively, a low pedestrian wall, the height of which provides effective screening to a maximum height of three (3) feet, may be used instead of shrubs.
         c.   All perimeter parking lot landscape areas shall be protected through curbing or alternate designs to prevent damage to landscape from vehicles. Protection designs that allow water to infiltrate into landscape are encouraged.
Figure 16.60-6: Parking Lot Perimeter Landscape
 
      3.   Parking Lot Interior Landscape. (See Figure 16.60-7: Interior Parking Lot Landscape)
         a.   Amount of Landscape. A minimum of one (1) parking lot island shall be provided per every row of twenty (20) parking spaces, whether a single row or double row of stalls. As part of the landscape plan approval, parking lot island locations may be varied based on specific site requirements or design scheme. All rows of parking spaces shall be terminated by a parking lot island or landscape area.
         b.   Size and Planting of Parking Lot Islands. Parking lot islands shall be the same width and depth as a parking stall. Double rows of parking shall provide parking lot islands that are the same width and depth as the double parking stall. A minimum of one (1) shade tree is required for every parking lot island. If the island extends the width of a double row, then two (2) shade trees are required. As an alternative to intermediate landscape islands within rows of more than twenty (20) parking stalls, linear planting strips that separate double rows of parking stalls and that serve as stormwater swales are permitted. However, all rows of parking spaces shall be terminated by a parking lot island or landscape area.
         c.   Type of Landscape Material. Shade trees shall be the primary plant materials used in parking lot islands and landscape areas. Ornamental trees, shrubs, hedges, and other plant materials may supplement the shade tree plantings but cannot create visibility concerns for automobiles and pedestrians.
         d.   Groundcover. A minimum of seventy-five percent (75%) of every parking lot island shall be planted in live groundcover, perennials, or ornamental grasses.
         e.   Curbing. All parking lot islands shall be protected through curbing or alternate designs to prevent damage to landscape from vehicles. Protection designs that allow water to infiltrate into landscape are encouraged.
Figure 16.60-7: Interior Parking Lot Landscape
 
(Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
§ 16.60.040 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE STANDARDS.
   A.   Standards. All uses, except agricultural uses, shall be so operated so as to comply with the performance standards described in this section. In addition to these performance standards, all uses shall be constructed, maintained, and operated as not to be injurious to the use and occupation of the adjacent premises by reason of the emission or creation of noise, vibration, radiation, fire and explosive hazard, or glare. All noise, vibration, radiation, fire and explosive hazard, or glare shall conform to local, state, and federal laws. Nothing in this section may be construed to alter, change, modify or abrogate any authority granted exclusively to any state or federal regulations.
   B.   Noise. Any activity or use shall be conducted wholly in compliance with Title 9 Chapter 9.16 NOISE PROHIBITED of this McHenry County Code of Ordinances.
   C.   Heat. Any activity or the operation of any use that produces heat shall be conducted so that no heat from the activity or operation is detectable at any point off the lot on which the use is located.
   D.   Lighting and Glare.
      1.   All exterior lighting must meet the requirements of § 16.60.020 (Exterior Lighting).
      2.   Any commercial or industrial activity or operation that produces glare or flickering of intense light sources shall be shielded, screened, or conducted so that no glare from the activity or operation is detectable, and flickering does not cause a nuisance, at any point off the lot or parcel on which the use is located.
   E.   Dust and Air Pollution. Dust and other types of air pollution, borne by the wind from sources, such as storage areas, yards, driveways and parking areas, conveying equipment, and the like, within lot boundaries, shall be kept to a minimum by appropriate landscape, screening, sheltering, paving, fencing, wetting, collecting, or other acceptable means.
   F.   Discharge and Disposal of Radioactive and Hazardous Waste. The discharge of fluid and the disposal of solid radioactive and hazardous waste materials shall comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing such materials or waste. No operation that produces radioactive or hazardous waste material may commence without prior notice to the County. Notice shall be given at least three (3) weeks before the operation is commenced. Radioactive and hazardous material waste shall be transported, stored, and used in conformance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
   G.   Odors. Any condition or operation which results in the creation of odors of such intensity and character as to be detrimental to the health and welfare of the public, or which interferes unreasonably with the comfort of the public, shall be removed, stopped, or modified so as to remove the odor.
   H.   Toxic Substances. The storage, handling, or transport of toxic substances shall comply with federal, state, and local regulations.
   I.   Fire and Explosion Hazards. Materials that present potential fire and explosion hazards shall be transported, stored, and used only in conformance with all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 15.4; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018; Ord. O-202208-ZBA-031, passed 8-16-2022)
§ 16.60.050 STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING.
   A.   General.
      1.   Street names shall be assigned at the time of subdivision in accordance with the standards of this section and shall be designated on the recorded final plat as specified in § 16.76.070 (Subdivision Street Naming And Addressing).
      2.   Street numbers shall be assigned at the time of subdivision in accordance with the standards of this section and shall be designated on the recorded final plat as specified in § 16.76.070 (Subdivision Street Naming And Addressing).
      3.   Unplatted metes and bounds parcels will be assigned an address by the Zoning Enforcement Officer at the time they are developed with a principal structure. An address will consist of a number, based on § 16.60.050.C. (Address Numbering), and a street name, based on county records of street names.
      4.   Assignment of a city name or ZIP code is the responsibility of the U.S. Postal Service.
      5.   Only one address will be assigned to each lot or parcel with a principal building. Additional address numbers will not be assigned when more than one principal building or use is on a property, nor to accessory structures. A property owner with multiple principal buildings or uses may create and use additional addressing information, such letters or numbers for suites, buildings, units, etc., so long as it is acceptable to the U.S. Postal Service and the information is provided to the appropriate emergency response agencies.
   B.   Street Naming. All streets shall be named and, in the case of branching streets, the line of departure from one street to another shall be shown. Each street shall have a unique name that is not a duplicate of any other in the same or any adjoining McHenry County township. The use of streets with the same name differentiated only by compass direction or by street type (i.e., street, lane, court, road, circle, etc.) are prohibited. However, a loop-type road needs only one street name for the entire loop.
   C.   Address Numbering. Even numbers are assigned to locations on the north or east sides of all streets and roads, and odd numbers are assigned to all locations on the south or west sides of all streets and roads.
   D.   Baselines. The street and road addressing system has two (2) baselines. The first runs north and south along the east edge of the county bordering on Lake County, Illinois. The second runs east and west across the county at the north edges of Marengo, Seneca, Dorr, and Nunda Townships and therefore along the south edges of Dunham, Hartland, Greenwood, and McHenry Townships.
   E.   Division of Miles into “Blocks” or Tenth-Mile Segments.
      1.   Each mile (section) out from the baseline will be divided into ten (10) equal segments or blocks. The first block or tenth-mile (0.1-mile) segment within that mile will be designated as the one hundred (100) block. Each block will include five hundred and twenty-eight (528) feet of street or road frontage if the road or street is perpendicular to the baseline.
      2.   The second block will be designated as the two hundred (200) block, the third block as the three hundred (300) block, etc. through the tenth, which will be the one thousand (1000) block.
   F.   Assigning Address Numbers to Property.
      1.   On roads and streets that are perpendicular to the baseline, a number will be assigned to each fifty-two and eight-tenths (52.8) feet of each tenth-mile (0.1-mile) segment except in cases of stores or similar situations where each possible address would include less frontage.
      2.   More or fewer numbers should be used when necessary in order for block numbering to change at cross roads or streets.
      3.   The smallest odd house number in a block will be one (1). The smallest even house number will be two (2).
      4.   In cases where lots have more than fifty-two and eight-tenths (52.8) feet of frontage, numbers will be omitted or skipped. In the case of lots with one hundred (100) feet of frontage, for instance, every other number is used. Consecutive numbers shall not be skipped arbitrarily.
      5.   Where a street or road runs at an angle or is curved, the first consideration is whether it runs predominantly north and south or east and west. It will then be numbered accordingly, and a number will be assigned to each fifty (50) running feet of frontage on the street or road, and the block number if changed upon crossing the tenth-mile (0.1-mile) segment.
      6.   Where a street or road in a subdivision makes a loop that intersects with the same street, the numbers shall be continuous from one end to the other.
   G.   First Mile Addresses.
      1.   Numbers will continue progressively so that normally final numbers in the first mile and in the tenth-mile (0.1-mile) segment of that mile would be 1019 and 1020.
      2.   On a curving and diagonal road or street, the numbers would continue beyond 1019 and 1020 as needed.
   H.   Second Mile Addresses.
      1.   Numbers in the first block of the second mile from the baseline will begin 1101 and 1102 and finish with 1119 and 1120.
      2.   Numbers in the second block will begin with 1201 and 1202 and progress through each block or tenth-mile (0.1-mile) segment and until numbers in the tenth block would normally end with 2019 and 2020.
   I.   Third through Tenth Mile Addresses. In the third mile from the baseline, numbers will begin 2101 and 2102 and normally end with 3019 and 3020. Addresses would progress in this way through the tenth mile, which would begin with 9101 and 9102 through 10019 and 10020.
(Ord. O-201410-10-035, passed 10-14-2014; Ord. O-201601-ZBA-006, passed 1-19-2016; Ord. O-201603-ZBA-010, passed 3-17-2016, § 15.5; Ord. O-201803-ZBA-10-08, passed 3-19-2018; Ord. O-201808-10-033, passed 8-21-2018)
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