Question: Finding Info/Appealing Zoning Restrictions in Chicago

[Brandon Seyferth]

Hi Everyone,

First, thanks in advance for any information on this subject.

I'm looking at a two flat in Chicago, Rogers Park 60626. It has enough space to make a nice three flat, but I'm concerned about zoning issues. Would anyone know how to find zoning info on a property in Chicago? I've been to the city of Chicago zoning website, but can't find the info I need.

Also, is it possible to appeal zoning restrictions (ie in case this property isn't zoned to allow a three flat), and how might one go about filing an appeal?

Again, thanks to this great community for any information you can provide.

Sincerely,

Brandon

[Brie Schmidt]

ok, makes much more sense. Any side street is now zoned RS and for years I have not heard of a single time the alderman upzoned it to RT and increased units. The reason is pretty much every property is "grandfathered" in as a 2-4 unit. Chicago zoning code states that if a property is destroyed not by the hand of the owner, it can be rebuilt as its grandfathered use. But if a property is destroyed by the hand of the owner it has to be rebuilt as it's current use, which is probably as a SFH (RS)

I have spoken to zoning attorneys, expediters, supervisors at the zoning and building department, and about 10 alderman throughout the years and every time I was told no way it can go from a 2 to a 3 or a 3 to a 4 if it has RS zoning.  

I am hoping that is going to change soon, finally some alderman (at least in the 47th) are starting to see that by downzoning everything we are losing people and affordable housing. North Center where I live has the fastest declining population in the city and it is not cause it is a bad neighborhood. It is because we are taking all the 2-4 units and converting them to SFH. Now they are up in arms about affordable housing. When I moved in 3 years ago the block had about forty 2-4 units and ten SFH and now it's the other way around. So we lost 60-90 rental units on that block so now it is even more expensive to rent in the area cause inventory is so low.