Accessory Dwelling Units
The City of Chicago adopted an ordinance re-legalizing accessory dwelling units on Wednesday, December 16, 2020. It allows a backyard house or interior ADU at properties in one of the 5 pilot areas and also within a RS-2, RS-3, RT, or RM zoning district.
Properties with 5 or more units can have 2 or more interior ADUs, but no backyard house.
Look up your address in the search field above to check if it's in one of the 5 pilot areas and it's within a RS-2, RS-3, RT, or RM zoning district.
4-minute ADU explainer video
Get building in Chicago
1. Check your address
Look up an address to check eligibility
3. Contact an architect or builder
More resources
Understanding the law
Participate in a webinar on Wednesday, 2/16/22
Municipal Code of Chicago section on coach houses (17-9-0201-F)
Municipal Code of Chicago section on conversion units (17-9-0131)
Eligible areas (Chicago)
- View a map of the 5 pilot areas
- Not eligible? Here's how to build an ADU outside a pilot area by taking advantage of #UnusedZoningCapacity
Eligible areas (outside Chicago)
Design ideas
Review the "Better Basement Units" manual from NHS
Zoning worksheet to calculate how large a backyard house can be
News
- A Zillow survey found 71% of respondents in Chicago supported allowing ADUs in residential areas.
- As of March 16, 2022, 39 ADU permits have been issued, and at least three coach houses are under construction – read the full summary.
- As of February 5, 2022, 32 ADU permits have been issued (see where on our map), and at least two coach houses are under construction.
- In 2021, 22 ADU permits were issued - check out our visual thread on Twitter: part 1, part 2
- Construction & consultation grants are open (Nov. 9, 2021)
- 10 ADU permits have been issued as of November 8, 2021
- Preservation professionals are overwhelmingly in favor of ADUs
Data about ADUs
Sign in or create a free account to view our "Data about ADUs".