Chicago regulates ADUs through the Additional Dwelling Unit pilot program codified at Chicago Municipal Code Chapter 17-2 and Section 17-9-0118, adopted by ordinance in December 2020. The pilot operates in five designated zones citywide, with permits issued by the Department of Buildings.
Chicago's ADU pilot at Chicago Municipal Code Section 17-2-0303-G and 17-9-0118 allows coach houses and conversion units in five pilot areas (North, Northwest, West, South, and Southeast zones). Coach houses are detached ADUs in rear yards on lots zoned RT, RM, or RS-3; conversion units include basement, attic, or garage-conversion units. Permit applications go through the Department of Buildings with site plan review and Department of Planning and Development zoning review. Owner-builder permits are allowed, but Master Plumber and Master Electrician licensed by Chicago must perform utility work. The Cityscape program offers pre-approved coach-house designs. Outside the five pilot zones, ADUs are not permitted under the zoning code.
Building an ADU outside the pilot zones, or without permits inside the zones, results in DOB Stop-Work Orders under MCC 13-12-100, citations issued through Administrative Hearings, and fines from $200 to $1,000 per day under MCC 13-32-070.
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