Detached Accessory Storage Structures (Shed) Regulations

At the January 26th, 2004, Village Board meeting, an ordinance was approved regulating storage structures (aka storage sheds) in the Village of Lincolnshire. These structures, which had previously been prohibited since 1965, are now permitted uses on single-family residential property, with specific requirements regulating their size, appearance and location on the property. The Village Board approved this ordinance because of the understanding that there is a need for storage of gardening and lawn equipment and related yard tools, outside of the home or garage. However, the Board also understands the importance of maintaining the open yards and forested expanses for which Lincolnshire is known, rather than cluttering those areas with structures. A Building Permit will be required to erect such a structure on your property, so be sure to contact the Building Division of the Community Development Department.

Following, is the Village ordinance related to storage structures (sheds)

STORAGE STRUCTURE
A structure that is intended solely for the storage of household goods, lawn and garden equipment, materials typically found in sufficient quantity for residential purposes, and other related goods and machinery intended solely for the use of the residents of the single-family property upon which it is located.

6-3-5: DETACHED ACCESSORY STRUCTURES (BUILDINGS)(Amend. Ord. 95-1397-27)

1. PROPOSED STRUCTURES
   No detached accessory structure shall be erected, altered or moved onto a lot unless it is specifically allowed in item B. below and it conforms with the requirements of this Section and a building permit has been issued for the same.
   1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
      1. Size
         1. Floor Area Ratio: The maximum size of the structure shall not exceed .025 of the lot size and not more than 10% of the gross square feet of the principal structure on the lot, whichever is less, except as further restricted by Section 6-3-5A.2.
         2. Height: The maximum height of the structure shall not exceed .66 the height of the principal building, except that the height of any gazebo or storage structure shall be restricted by Section 6-3-5A.2.
      2. Location
         1. Building Envelope: All detached accessory structures shall meet the minimum yard requirement applicable to the principal structure on the lot, except as further restricted by Section 6-3-5A.2.
         2. Relationship to Principal Building: No portion of the structure shall be closer to any public way than the principal building on the lot, and shall be further restricted by Section 6-3-5A.2.
      3. Appearance
         1. Materials: All detached accessory structures shall be constructed with compatible materials and in the same proportion as those used in the principal structure on the lot, except that any gazebo or storage structure shall be constructed in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 6-3-5A.2.
         2. Architecture: The style and details of all detached accessory structures shall be compatible with the principal structure on the lot, and further provided that any gazebo or storage structure shall be designed in accordance with the criteria set forth in Section 6-3-5A.2.
      4. Quantity: No more than one detached accessory structure shall be permitted on a lot. A playhouse or storage structure shall be permitted in addition to the one detached accessory structure on a lot provided it meets all other requirements of this section.
      5. Establishment: The structure shall not be erected, altered or moved onto a lot prior to the establishment of the principal structure on the lot. (Amd. Ord. 97-1531-55, eff. 10/13/97)
   2. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
      1. Shall have a maximum floor area of no more than 100 square feet.
      2. Shall either be located within 6" of the principal structure, attached to a deck or patio or within 6" of a deck or patio.
      3. Shall be placed on a hard surface, including, but not limited to a concrete pad, cement blocks partially sunk into the ground, or similar materials.
      4. Shall be screened by plant material, which provides visual relief throughout the year from both the public way and adjacent properties. Said plant material screen shall consist of a minimum of one square foot of plant material for each linear foot of the shed which faces a public way or adjacent property.
      5. Shall not exceed a height of 10' from the established grade.
      6. Shall maintain the same roof materials as the principal structure.
      7. The following materials are prohibited, unless they are the primary material on the principal structure: plastic, corrugated metal, fiberglass and dryvit/stucco.
      8. An appeal from any Staff determination regarding the application or interpretation of the requirements for storage sheds listed in Section 6-3-5 may be taken to the Architectural Review Board, for recommendation to the Village Board, by any person or entity aggrieved by said application or determination. (Amd Ord. 04-1888-03, eff. 26/04)

Should you have any questions regarding the requirements for storage structures or have a question whether or not your existing accessory structure is defined as a storage structure and therefore subject to these regulations, please feel free to contact the Community Development Department. Conformance with these regulations will provide the ability for additional storage, while maintaining the high quality design standards for which Lincolnshire continues to be known.