All Forum Posts by: Ali Farhat

@Jonathan Klemm thanks for the mention

@Ali Farhat Jonathan is correct that you may still have some opportunity depending on the Zoning designation for the lot, and how many existing units are Legally Recognized by the City.
You can Check the Zoning Designation here on the Chicago Zoning Map
From there, you need to check the requirements for your lot based on the Chicago Zoning Ordinance (Note: RS-3 does not mean 3 Units. You need to check the Zoning Ordinance for more info).

Feel free to reach out to me directly with the property address if you would like some more assistance in determining how many units you can have "By Right" on the lot which is a calculation based on Total Lot Area dependent on the zoning designation. If you can't add any more units "By Right" and you are Not within any of the ADU Pilot areas, then the only current option would be to hire a Zoning Attorney and try to obtain a "Zoning Map Amendment" where you would legally change the zoning designation for your specific lot in order to permit you to add another unit.

Making the basement a legal unit is costly but can be done as an ADU depending on your exact location (ADU zone maps are on City of Chicago site). Expect to spend a minimum of $100k+. If you are on the northside by making it an illegal basement you will increase the value of building and I have never seen any clients have issues. You can do it without permits for less then 1/3 the cost and buyers will still pay a significant premium for a building with an illegal basement. I have even seen twice city inspectors walk buildings for other issues that have illegal basement units and as long as unit looks like a legal unit (normal ceiling height and two egresses) they didn't even say anything.