ADU Owner Occupancy: Chicago vs Des Plaines
How do adu owner occupancy rules compare between Chicago, IL and Des Plaines, IL?
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 →Des Plaines, IL
Cook County
No data available yet for Des Plaines.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chicago | Des Plaines |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
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.
Des Plaines FAQ
No FAQs available.
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