Once you know what you can build, find an architect with experience getting permits in the City of Chicago (a process unto itself).

The Zoning department is now saying that the guest house is not to be rented or lived in as it was never permitted when it was converted from a garage 12 years ago.

One extra thing is parking permits, I know that's for the tenants but would be good to pass onto them. 

That was a helpful piece of information, but I was unable to uncover or maybe just not fully understand the permit history, if permits were even pulled for the work.  

Account Closed thank you for the replyI am a non-immigrant on work visa and trying to find out if there is a way to solve this without getting into legal matters (not trying to gain sympathy, don't know if it affects my work permit renewal, but just trying to stay away from such issues)asked the manager to reduce these additional charges (since the apartment is benefitting from what I pay and he said, "we already gave you 10% discount of what a laminate would have costed")if I said yes to granite and terminated the lease next day, its two months notice and the increase in rent after granite tops install is IIRC 110 per month; I am ready to pay the $220 as additional charges but the manager just ignored...I strongly believe its unfair but I am worried taking it up legally, is court my only option?

Gutted in 2 days, electrical and complete replumb in 2 weeks punctuated by lots of typical city permit requirements, insulated in a day.

Good indication of buyer demand.Go to your local city or county building permit office, and ask for a copy of the last years permit applications/approvals numbers.

Setting up Permits for the Postcards (Approx. $2000+) I wanted to mail these post cards myself as mailing these via mailing service would be very expensive.

My lease specifically states:5) UseThe stated premises shall be used only as a family residence and no business activity whatsoever is allowed including babysitting – childcare and the lessee shall not permit said premises or any part thereof to be used for (a) the conduct of any offensive, noisy or dangerous activities that would increase the premiums for fire insurance on said premises; (b) the creation or maintenance of a public nuisance; (c) anything which is unlawful or in violation of any public authority at any time during the term of this lease; or (d) any purpose or manner which will obstruct, interfere with, or infringe upon the rights of adjacent properties.

He's what I've thought up today:1 - cardboard permit that entitles tenant to preferred parking.2 - cardboard discount card that works at local businesses3 - cardboard storage locker for laundry room4 - cardboard markers to defines gardening space 5 - cardboard room partitions that divides space or creates a reading nook