Abundant Housing Illinois

Parking mandates are so last year 🚗

While we're bummed that the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) ordinance was "deferred and published" at this month's City Council meeting, it did a greatjob diverting attention away from Ald. La Spata's parking reform ordinance. After the ADU debate concluded, parking reform was approved unanimously on a voice vote by City Council. So, what does this ordinance actually do, and why is it such a big deal?

• Applies to "transit-served locations" as defined by the Connected Communities Ordinance:
  
• • Within 1,320 feet of specific CTA bus corridors 🚍
  • Within 2,640 feet of CTA or Metra rail station entrances or exits 🚇
• The option to provide zero parking is extended to RS and RT zoning districts for the first time (these zoning districts are where the majority of detached houses and 2-to-6 flats exist and get built)
• The requirement to get an “administrative adjustment” for providing zero parking is eliminated, except in downtown and very small parts of the city where Metra is the primary transit option

All in all, the elimination of parking mandates across the vast majority of Chicago will help increase housing supply and lower housing costs. Many buildings and vacant lots no longer have the number of homes allowed constrained by how much parking is required to fit on a property. Eliminating parking requirements can also boost ADU construction; a backyard ADU in a transit-served location can now be constructed as a single-story, slab-on-grade structure with no parking, which could lower construction costs by 40%.