Chicago Guides
Chicago zoning
Reference tools for Chicago’s zoning districts and ordinance, and guides to the rules that only exist here.
Reference
Districts and the code
Look up any district’s numbers, or read the ordinance itself.
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Reference
Chicago Zoning Field Guide
Every Chicago district on one page — FAR, height, setbacks and uses, with a page per district.
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Reference
Chicago Zoning Code
The full text of Title 17, searchable and cross-linked, with every definition anchored.
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Reference
Chicago Zoning by Neighborhood
What the zoning actually is on the ground in 93 neighborhoods, counted from the parcel record.
Guides
Chicago-specific guides
Programs and procedures written into Chicago’s Zoning Ordinance, explained with citations to each section.
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Guide
Coach houses & conversion units (ADUs)
Chicago’s two kinds of additional dwelling unit, where they are allowed, and the rules each must meet.
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Guide
Transit-served development (TOD)
Near a station: parking reductions by right, and density, FAR and height bonuses paid for with affordable units.
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Guide
Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO)
What triggers Chicago’s inclusionary rules, how many affordable units they ask for, and what buying out costs.
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Guide
The 606 & Pilsen block rules
Two anti-displacement overlays where the block face decides what you may build — plus the demolition surcharge.
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Guide
Variations, special uses & planned developments
The routes to relief in Chicago — administrative adjustment, variation, special use, rezoning, PD — and when each applies.
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Guide
The standard Chicago lot (25 × 125)
What 3,125 square feet allows in every residential district — units, floor area, height, and the ground the yards leave.
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Guide
How to read a Chicago zoning code
RS-3, B1-2, DX-16, RT-4A: what the letters, the district number, the dash number and the suffix each control.
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Tool
Chicago Zoning Calculator
Enter a lot size and a district: setbacks, floor area, height, units, open space and parking, each cited to the ordinance.
Zoning Resources
New to the concepts?
The general guides explain floor area ratio, setbacks, building height, density and lot types from the ground up.
For a real address
Put it together for a real parcel
LotGrade applies these rules at once to any Chicago address and shows what can be built.