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ADU rules in Illinois

Representative cities: Chicago, Springfield.

Verify locally. Illinois has no single statewide building code — most municipalities adopt the IRC locally while Chicago enforces its own 2019 Chicago Building Code. Permit rules differ significantly between Chicago and the rest of the state; verify with your specific city (e.g., Chicago DOB or Springfield). ADU rules below are drawn from official sources — always confirm with the issuing building department before designing or building.

ADU permit rule

Permit requiredCase by casecity authority
Fee basis
No flat statewide fee; Chicago calculates fees from construction type, occupancy, square footage, and scope via its online calculator. Other municipalities set their own fees.
Typical timeline
Varies
Setback
Area threshold
Not size-exempt
Exempt if
Not exempt
Go / no-go
case-by-case
Illinois has no statewide building code; most municipalities use the IRC while Chicago enforces the 2019 Chicago Building Code. ADUs require a building permit plus local zoning approval — Chicago and other cities regulate ADUs through zoning. Verify with your municipality.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to build an ADU in Illinois?

Per Illinois rules, an ADU is "yes" for a permit and the authority is "city". Illinois has no statewide building code; most municipalities use the IRC while Chicago enforces the 2019 Chicago Building Code. ADUs require a building permit plus local zoning approval — Chicago and other cities regulate ADUs through zoning. Verify with your municipality. Always confirm with the issuing building department.

How big can an ADU be in Illinois?

Size limits for an ADU in Illinois are set by local zoning — verify with your city building department.

What are the ADU setbacks in Illinois?

Setback rules vary by city in Illinois; confirm with the local planning or building department.

How much does an ADU permit cost in Illinois?

Fee basis: No flat statewide fee; Chicago calculates fees from construction type, occupancy, square footage, and scope via its online calculator. Other municipalities set their own fees.

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