Does a Full Basement count as a Unit in a Multifamily House?

[Jun Zao]

On RedFin I found many 2 Story Houses listed as 2-Units or 2-flats but the ads also say that there is a full basement.

If so, doesn't that make it 3 units?

[Sam Amir]

Hey Jun, good question. There's an article on BP explaining this somewhere, try to see if you can find it. 

Usually if they separate basement and the number of units in the description, that means it is not a legal unit. In Chicago, a legal unit must have a few things:

• 7.5' high ceilings
• Plumbing/electric must be up to date per code
• One exit for spaces < 800 sq. ft. or 2 exits for spaces > 800 sq. ft.
• Certificate of zoning deeming the unit a legal unit

There's a few more things I'm probably missing. Check out the municipal code here (Title 13 specifically) : http://www.amlegal.com/codes/client/chicago_il/

Hope that helps!

-Sam