Legalizing a non-conforming in Chicago ADU Zone

[Noah Lomax]

Hi Folks,

Just days before closing on a multi-unit in west Wicker Park we learned the city had revoked the permit for the garden unit of our building. After sorting out that headache, we went through with purchasing the property as a 3-unit with a non-conforming garden unit. The building is in the ADU zone, so now we are beginning that process.

It does look like everything in the unit was done to code, so I expect minimal work would be needed. But it looks like the city still requires me to work with GC and architect to apply for the permit. I have a great GC who is willing to go through the process, but it's new for both of us. Does anyone have experience applying for a permit to legalize an already-existing unit under Chicago's new ordinance? The seller agreed to an escrow account to get the re-permitting completed but I have a time window in which I must use it.