City Council Approves Ordinance Expanding Accessory Dwelling Units Across Chicago (Chicago, IL) – The Chicago City Council has approved a measure to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) citywide, a policy supporters say will help ease the city’s housing shortage while creating new jobs.
The ordinance, championed by 44th Ward Alderman Bennett Lawson, expands the use of ADUs—also known as coach houses, basement apartments, and granny flats—beyond pilot zones and makes them legal in every neighborhood.
“On my first day as Alderman, I introduced an ordinance to authorize ADUs citywide because I believe Chicago needs bold, creative solutions to meet our housing crisis head-on,” Lawson said in a statement following Wednesday’s vote.
Lawson said the policy reflects months of collaboration between residents, developers, and labor groups, and will both expand affordable housing options and support union jobs in construction.
“This is a testament to our ability as members of City Council to get big things done through listening and collaboration,” Lawson said, thanking Alderman Quinn and labor partners for their role in advancing the measure.
The expansion of ADUs has been a key housing policy priority for advocates who see them as a flexible way to add rental units in existing neighborhoods without large-scale redevelopment.
City Council Approves Ordinance Expanding Accessory Dwelling Units Across Chicago
