ADU Owner Occupancy: Arlington Heights vs Chicago
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Arlington Heights, IL and Chicago, IL?
Arlington Heights, IL
Cook County
No data available yet for Arlington Heights.
Chicago, IL
Cook County
Chicago Municipal Code Section 17-9-0118-D requires owner-occupancy of either the principal unit or the ADU for the first five years after permit issuance in some pilot zones, recorded by a covenant. The South and Southeast zones have no owner-occupancy requirement.
View full Chicago rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Arlington Heights | Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| North/Northwest Zones | - | Five-year owner-occupancy |
| South/Southeast Zones | - | No requirement |
| West Zone | - | No requirement |
| Code Section | - | MCC 17-9-0118-D |
| Covenant Term | - | Five years |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Arlington Heights FAQ
No FAQs available.
Chicago FAQ
Must I live on-site to rent my Chicago ADU?
Only in the North and Northwest pilot zones. MCC 17-9-0118-D requires five-year owner-occupancy of either the primary unit or the ADU, recorded by covenant. South, Southeast, and West zones have no requirement.
When does the Chicago ADU owner-occupancy covenant end?
Five years after permit issuance. The covenant is released upon owner request and DOH verification, after which the ADU may be operated as a standard rental unit.
Can I sell my Chicago ADU separately from the main house?
Generally no. Chicago does not have an ADU condo-conversion pathway. ADUs and coach houses remain part of the principal property and are sold together with the lot.
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