CHICAGO ADU DESIGN

In December 2020, Chicago’s City Council adopted an ordinance that re-legalized Accessory Dwelling Units, commonly known as coach houses or granny flats, among other names. The ordinance established five pilot areas: North, Northwest, West, South and Southeast.

Since the ordinance passed, we’ve seen a boom in the demand for ADUs; BLDG Projects currently has the third most active ADU applications to date, and it’s growing daily.

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For homeowners and buyers, the ADU ordinance provides a cost-effective solution for adding additional living space within an existing building or property without the necessity of rezoning. Every legalized unit yields more building value and, of course, new rental income.

An ADU-eligible property must be within one of the five pilot areas, as well as within an R-zoned district – either RM, RS or RT (with some exceptions). The City of Chicago’s website has a zoning district online map you can use to determine which district you’re in.

You can find more information from Cityscape’s Steven Vance here: Chicago Cityscape ADU Explanation Video

Visit Cityscape or more info on ADUs

ADU Frequently asked questions

What is an ADU?

Accessory Dwelling Units are second homes or apartments that share the building lot of a larger, primary residence. Qualifying property owners are now eligible for construction / conversion of ADUs on their property. ADUs are commonly referred to as a tiny house in the backyard, a coach house, a granny flat, a built-out basement unit, or dwelling space above a garage.

When was the ordinance reversed?

December 16th, 2020 the City of Chicago adopted an ordinance that re-legalizing accessory dwelling units. The reversal now allows for property owners to add a coach house, basement unit, or attic unit within one of the 5 ADU pilot areas, and within RS-2, RS-3, RT, or RM zoning districts.

In May 2021, the City of Chicago began issuing permits for ADUs. BLDG Projects currently has the 3rd most active ADU construction permits within the city.

Where can you add an ADU?

There are five “Pilot Zones” or pre-approved areas where ADUs fall within zoning guidelines without a re-zoning or variance request.

Where are the ADU Pilot Zones?

NORTH ZONE is bounded by Devon, the lakefront, Lawrence, Clarendon, Halsted, Diversey, Lincoln, Belmont, the North Branch of the Chicago River, the North Shore Channel, Peterson, California, Granville, and Seeley.

NORTHWEST ZONE is bounded by the Eisenhower Expressway, Sacramento, Fulton, Damen, Chicago, Western, Hirsch, Rockwell, North, Sacramento, Bloomingdale, Kedzie, Palmer, Kostner, Fullerton, Central Park, Belle Plaine, Lawndale, Montrose, Harding, Lawrence, Kedzie, Elston, California, Fullerton, Western, North, and Ashland.

WEST ZONE is bounded by the Eisenhower Expressway, Homan, the South Branch of the Chicago River, and 4600 West.

SOUTH ZONE is bounded by Cicero, 7500 South, Kedzie, 71st St., Halsted, 63rd St., 600 West, 47th St., King, 60th St., Dorchester, 65th St., Cottage Grove, 67th St., the Dan Ryan Expressway, 95th St., Ashland, and 87th St.

SOUTH EAST ZONE is bounded by 8300 South, the city limits, Torrence, 95th St., Commercial, 83rd Pl., and Houston.