Build Legislation Summary and Its Impact in the Village of Barrington
In February, Governor Pritzker presented the Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) agenda, which includes proposals to preempt local zoning, aimed at addressing middle housing supply and affordability. The legislation includes a Home Rule preemption that prohibits municipalities from opting out of it, unlike other laws impacting zoning, such as video gaming and recreational cannabis.
The legislation requires municipalities to allow the construction or conversion of middle housing on any residential lot. Density is determined by lot size. This means that the lot next door to you could be converted into a multi-family dwelling at any time by simply obtaining a building permit. The proposal would override local zoning, which means the Village would be unable to prohibit such redevelopment.
What BUILD Would Allow by Lot Size:
| Lot Size | Units Permitted by Right |
|
2,500 sq. ft. or less |
1 unit |
|
2,500 to 5,000 sq. ft. |
Up to 4 units |
|
5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft. |
Up to 6 units |
|
Over 7,500 sq. ft. |
Up to 8 units |
*The minimum lot size currently permitted in the Village is 7,500 sq. ft. Typical lots in the Village range between 6,800 sq. ft. in the historic area of town to 20,000 sq. ft. in larger subdivisions like Fox Point. The vast majority of lots in the Village would qualify for six or eight multi-family units.
Letter from Village President Mike Moran
Barrington has always taken a thoughtful and balanced approach to growth, preserving the character of our neighborhoods while planning responsibly for the future. With that in mind, I am writing to share serious concerns and urge opposition to House Bill (HB) 5626, known as the BUILD legislation. View the full text of the bill and its status here.
This proposal would override local zoning and require municipalities like Barrington to allow multi-family housing on nearly every residential lot.
Local zoning authority grants the Village the power to create and maintain single-family residential districts, which cover most of the Village’s footprint. In these locations today, only single-family homes are permitted. This helps to maintain the existing character and density of our neighborhoods.
What BUILD Would Allow by Lot Size:
| Lot Size | Units Permitted by Right |
|
2,500 sq. ft. or less |
1 unit |
|
2,500 to 5,000 sq. ft. |
Up to 4 units |
|
5,000 to 7,500 sq. ft. |
Up to 6 units |
|
Over 7,500 sq. ft. |
Up to 8 units |
Because all single-family residential lots in the Village exceed 5,000 sq. ft., this legislation would allow for any single-family residential lot in the Village to be redeveloped into a 6 or 8-unit building without any ability for the Village to prohibit such redevelopment. In short, if you live in a single-family residential district, the home next to yours could become a 6 or 8-unit apartment building.
This legislation raises several concerns. It removes local control, does not reflect the character of our neighborhoods, and could place additional strain on parking, infrastructure and schools. It also creates the risk that existing single-family homes, including naturally affordable housing, could be replaced by higher-density development, leaving uncertainty about future costs and fees.
Barrington supports responsible growth, but these decisions should remain local and grounded in careful planning. The Village will continue to share updates and information about this legislation in the coming months. I encourage you to continue visiting this page to stay informed.
Please contact your state legislators and ask them to oppose HB 5626. Your voice is important in protecting our community. You can find the contact information for your district officials here.
Mike Moran
Village President
Municipal Leaders Hold BUILD Press Conference
Municipal leaders from across Northeastern Illinois, including Barrington Village President Mike Moran, came together to speak out about the BUILD Act and its potential impact on local planning, infrastructure, neighborhoods and taxpayers. The message was clear: housing solutions are most effective when developed in partnership with local communities, not imposed through one-size-fits-all mandates. Local planning, infrastructure capacity, and resident input remain important parts of conversations surrounding future housing growth and development.