Can I Build Garage in Chicago, IL? (2026)
Find out if you can build a garage in Chicago, IL. Rules, permit requirements, costs, and next steps.
Building a detached garage in Chicago, IL requires a building permit. Setback requirements and lot coverage limits apply.
Building a detached or attached garage in Chicago, IL typically requires a building permit through the local building department. Garages are governed by the same structural permit requirements as room additions, plus setback requirements that vary by zone. Detached garages must comply with accessory structure setbacks in Chicago, and total lot coverage (all covered structures combined) must not exceed zone limits.
Garage Rules in Chicago
Garage Construction Rules in Chicago: Permit required: Conditional depending on size. RS-1 zone setbacks (typical): Front varies ft, Side varies ft, Rear varies ft. Check your zone's lot coverage limits — adding a garage may push total coverage over the maximum.
Costs & Fees
Contact the local building department at (312) 744-3449 for current permit fee information.
Next Steps
Next steps for building a garage in Chicago: 1. Verify your zone setback requirements and lot coverage limits. 2. Prepare site plan showing garage location relative to property lines. 3. Submit a building permit application to the local building department. 4. Once approved, begin construction with required inspections at foundation, framing, and final.
Chicago Department of Buildings
Phone: (312) 744-3449 · Verified July 6, 2026 · Source
Website: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs.html
Online Permits: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/permits.html
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build an ADU in Chicago?
Yes. Chicago's ADU Ordinance, expanded citywide in July 2022, allows both attached ADUs (basement or attic conversions) and detached coach houses (rear-yard ADUs typically built over a garage). Owner-occupancy applies only where the principal building adding a conversion unit or coach house is a detached house — that detached house must be owner-occupied at the time of pre-certification, and only within the designated RS Areas, not citywide. No replacement parking is required. A building permit from the Chicago Department of Buildings is required.
What is a coach house in Chicago, and is it the same as an ADU?
Yes. In Chicago, a coach house is the traditional term for a detached ADU — typically a 1- or 2-story structure built over a rear garage, accessed from the alley. Chicago's ADU Ordinance specifically authorizes coach houses up to 1,000 sqft and 22 ft tall. They are built in the rear yard, behind the principal building. Chicago has a rich history of coach houses from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
How do I find the zoning of my Chicago property?
Use the City of Chicago Zoning Map at gisapps.chicago.gov/ZoningMapWeb/ — enter your address to find zone designation, applicable district standards, and special overlay zones. You can also check the Chicago Zoning Ordinance (Title 17) at codelibrary.amlegal.com.
Are short-term rentals allowed in Chicago?
Yes, with a license. The Chicago Shared Housing Ordinance (effective 2016) requires a Vacation Rental License or Shared Housing Host Registration ($125/year). Properties in buildings where the condo or co-op association has voted to ban short-term rentals are prohibited. Chicago collects a 4.5% Shared Housing Surcharge plus state hotel tax.
What are the setbacks for a standard Chicago bungalow lot?
In RS-3 (the most common single-family zone for Chicago bungalows), setbacks are: 15 ft front, 2 ft side (minimum — many have 2 ft on one side and 0 on the other with a shared driveway), and 30 ft rear. Chicago's standard lot is 25 ft wide by 125 ft deep. The rear yard is typically used for detached garages accessed from the alley.
Source: Chicago Department of Buildings — Building Regulations. Last verified April 3, 2026. View source