Chicago may adopt a pro-ADU policy

Next 5-year housing plan says City should permit coach houses

Coach houses, of which there are 1,000–2,000 in Chicago (based on our shaky counting method), are a type of natural affordable housing and a hidden density in many of our inner neighborhoods. They’re cheaper to rent because they’re older and smaller than flats, and they don’t affect the visual character of a block.

Can someone get in touch with Bob Vila to see if he will help support legalizing coach houses in Chicago? Vila renovated a coach house on his show, “Home Again”, which aired May 20, 1991. Watch the episode in full.

They’re also illegal to build in Chicago. Current ones can remain, but the city’s zoning code “errs” on the side of not preserving them. (Don’t rent a coach house you own out for a year and code says you can’t rent it out again.)

In the next 5-year housing plan, Mayor Emanuel has proposed permitting coach houses and other Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU).

That should be big news to homeowners, renters, architects, and contractors.