Village Codes & Zoning Ordinances

Village Code

The Village Code details ordinances that govern all aspects of Village operations. It includes sections that establish each of the elected offices, the managerial form of government and the Village's administrative departments. Fees for all Village licenses, services and permits are set by the Village Code.

Chapters in the Village Code establish policies for water and health services. The Code also defines nuisances and contains provisions for pet and animal control issues. Further, it sets garbage and refuse service regulations, as well as those for establishing and maintaining food service operations in the Village.

Other components of the Village Code include establishing the numerous codes administered by the Village's Community Development Department. These include adopting the International Building Code, 2012 edition, with local amendments, as published by the International Code Council, Inc., as the Building Code for the Village.  The Village Code further defines the single family, multifamily, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, housing and fire prevention codes. It also contains a Fair Housing section.

The Village Code regulates commercial activities, amusements and charitable solicitations in the community. Other chapters regulate the operations of taxicabs, other motor-driven vehicles and bicycles. Standards for weights and measures are defined in the Village Code.

Regulations regarding fireworks and other potential offenses against public peace, safety and morals can also be found in the Village Code. Parameters for parades and other public assemblies in Skokie are established as well.

Please call the office of Village Clerk Pramod Shah at 847/933-8203 with specific questions about the Village Code. The Village Code can be reviewed at the Village Clerk's Office during normal business hours or on the Village's website.  For questions about the Zoning Ordinance, please contact the Zoning Administrator at 847/933-8223.

Zoning Ordinances

Zoning refers to regulations and a map that determine how land in Skokie may be used or developed such as the types and locations of residential, commercial, and industrial uses and buildings; off-street parking and loading; and landscaping requirements. It also regulates the density and intensity of developments. Every parcel of land in the Village is in a zoning district. Each zoning district has allowable uses that are either permitted uses or special uses.

Permitted uses are uses that are explicitly allowed in a zone such as single-family homes in an R1 Single-Family district or bookstores in a B3 Business district. Special uses are uses that are allowed in a zone only after public hearings. The Plan Commission reviews each special use, and the Village Board of Trustees must approve the special use prior to its establishment. Land uses that are not specifically listed as permitted or special uses in a zoning district are not allowed without a Zoning Chapter amendment.

Permitted uses, special uses, and rules about setbacks, lot coverage, parking requirements, landscaping and other development requirements can all be found in Chapter 118. Zoning, of the Skokie Village Code.  Click here to view an electronic copy of the zoning map and zoning district definitions.

A print copy of the Zoning  chapter and Zoning map can be purchased for $30 from the Planning Division at 847/933-8447. For additional zoning information, contact the Building, Zoning, and Property Standards Division at 847/933-8223.