Non legal garden unit chicago

[Edward Kuk]

Hi everyone,

Hope you all are having an amazing weekend. My wife and I saw a multi unit that we really liked today. Biggest problem is that the basement unit is not legal. 

I did some research and think it’s pretty close to legal. It has an entrance and exit, high ceilings, own heat but there isn’t any ventilation / windows in the bedrooms. I assume I could make this legal but not sure how much it would cost.

That said, trying to assess the risk here. If something does happen, would my insurance pretty much be voided? If a tenant reports this, how large is the fine? Haven’t seen actual numbers here but more on the government making you remove things so it’s unrentable.

Appreciate the help!

[Brie Schmidt]

@Edward Kuk - Here is part of the code

13-160-050 Minimum number of exits

There shall be not less than two exits from every building, floor, space or room, except that one exit may be permitted from any room or space under the conditions outlined in subsection (a) through (b) of this section; and one exit may be permitted from a floor under the conditions outlined in subsections (c) through (o) of this section.

d. In multiple dwellings, one exit serving one family only shall be permitted from the first or second story, and one exit shall be permitted from a basement space provided that the area of such floor or basement shall not exceed 800 square feet.

13-196-510 Residential buildings – Ceiling heights.

At least one-half of the floor area of every habitable room shall have a ceiling height of not less than seven feet; and the floor area of that part of any room where the ceiling height is less than five feet shall not be considered as part of the floor area in computing the total floor area of the room for the purpose of determining the maximum permissible occupancy thereof. However, in any room, beams or furred spaces constituting not more than 25 percent of the ceiling area, may have a height of not less than six feet.

13-64-070 Requirements for habitable basement rooms. A basement may be used for habitable rooms or a dwelling unit, regardless of the depth of the floor below grade, if the floors and walls are impervious to leakage of underground and surface water and are protected from dampness, and if the required minimum 13-172-130, or by other approved means.  13-172-070 Natural light. (b) Minimum glazing area. Every room or space intended for human occupancy shall have an exterior glazing area of not less than 8 percent of the floor area. Natural light shall be provided by glazing areas that open onto courts, yards or public ways which comply with the requirements of Section 13-172-130, or by other approved means.