What matters for project planning
Inside the house this ordinance is not the relevant one; outside it frequently is. Work on a sewer lateral, a water service or an exterior drain line means excavation, and on a parcel inside the floodplain or floodway that is regulated development calling for a WDO permit under the city's Section 18-10 adoption of the Lake County ordinance. The ravine terrain matters here in a second way as well, since it puts real slope between some properties and their connections, which affects how a lateral runs and where it is vulnerable. Establishing the parcel's floodplain status early is worth it, because it changes the permit path rather than merely the paperwork.
Official sources
Verify the property, not just the city
Citywide context cannot establish a parcel’s flood zone, historic designation, stream buffer, permit requirements, soil conditions, or concealed construction. Confirm those specifics with the appropriate authority and the provider you select before work begins.
Sources were reviewed 2026-07-26. Outside requirements and mapping data are subject to change.