Chicago Zoning Decisions: May 2026

In May 2026, Chicago held 7 public meetings covering zoning matters. 96 zoning decisions had a recorded outcome this month: 94 approved (100% approval rate), 2 deferred. Activity was up 624% compared to April (87 activity items across 3 meetings).

Zoning Decisions This Month

PPA license text amendment for alcohol manufacturers (Alderman Martin)

Approved.

Substitute ordinance amending section 17-3-0301 regarding public place of amusement licenses, allowing state-licensed alcohol manufacturers (28 breweries/distilleries in B and C zones) to apply for a PPA license without ZBA or zoning change for distance reduction. Came from Illinois Craft Brewers Guild.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Permit fee waivers for 3309-3313 South Prairie Avenue

Approved.

Three permit fee waivers for new construction of three 2.5-story single family houses with detached garages at 3309, 3311, and 3313 South Prairie Avenue in the 4th Ward, within the Calumet Giles Prairie Historic District. Owner plans $1M per house; seeks $5,000 waiver per house. Presented by John Ritsu, Historic Preservation.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning at 1616 North Burling Street

Approved.

City-owned nonstandard parcel at 1616 North Burling Street, 2nd Ward, rezoned from RM4.5 to RT4. Parcel at dead-end near cul-de-sac under L tracks, formerly used during Brown Line construction; still has CTA power relay box. Zoned to lowest residential minimum on the block.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning at 1236-1245 West 105th Street area (21st Ward)

Approved.

Rezoning at 1236-1230 West 105th Street, 1245 West 105th Street, and 10335 South Vincennes Avenue, 21st Ward, from M1-1 and M2-2 to B1-1 neighborhood shopping district. Area transitioning from heavy manufacturing to residential (Beverly Ridge project). Vice chair Lawson suggested B3 rather than B1 but no amendment made.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning at 2949-2951 East 79th Street

Approved.

Rezoning at 2949-2951 East 79th Street, 7th Ward, from C1-2 neighborhood commercial district to B2-2 neighborhood mixed use district, to limit automotive/industrial uses inconsistent with corridor planning. Presented by Alderman Mitchell; related to public comment opposition from auto shop operator.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning at 2206 East 75th Street

Approved.

Rezoning at 2206 East 75th Street, 7th Ward, from C1-2 neighborhood commercial district to B2-2 neighborhood mixed use district to limit automotive/industrial uses. Prior tire/auto mechanic shop cited as source of tension with building violations dating to 2009. Presented by Alderman Mitchell.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning at 5626 West 63rd Place

Approved.

Substitute rezoning at 5626 West 63rd Place, 13th Ward, from B1-1 neighborhood shopping district to RS-2 residential single unit detached house district. Old garage in middle of residential area (clearing neighborhood); opposed in public comment by property owner Irma Patino. Presented by Alderman Quinn.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Rezoning at 4315-4317 Cottage Grove Avenue

Approved.

Rezoning at 4315-4317 Cottage Grove Avenue, 4th Ward, from B3-3 community shopping district to C1-3 neighborhood commercial district for a community-minded bar (the 'Democratic Bar'), hours 3pm-midnight, no live music. Represented by attorney Thomas Moore.

See the vote tally and conditions for this decision →

Showing the 8 most significant of 96 recorded zoning decisions. See all Chicago meetings →

Zoning Changes

• Various → Various at Various locations in wards 2, 3, 8, 11, 15, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 30, 32, 33, 34, 36, 39, 40, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 50 (Various)
• Not specified → Not specified at 215 N Racine, 27th Ward (Not specified)
• Not specified → Not specified at 1313-1315 W Ancona St, 27th Ward (Not specified)
• Not specified → Light Equipment Sales Rental Overlay District at Cicero Ave area (Not specified)
• RM-4.5 → RT-4 at 1616 North Burling Street, 2nd Ward
• B3-1 → RS-2 at 224 East 103rd Street, 9th Ward
• M1-1 → RS-2 at 11150-11155 South Michigan Avenue, 9th Ward
• RS-2 → RT-4 at 4640 South Lemont Avenue, 22nd Ward

Top Keywords This Month

• zoning: 198 instances
• residential: 123 instances
• commercial: 59 instances
• mixed use: 42 instances
• setback: 40 instances

What to Watch

• Zoning mentions were up 383% from April.
• Residential came up 720% more often than April.
• Commercial saw 638% more mentions month-over-month.
• Mixed use is new this month with 42 mentions, not present in April.
• Setback is new this month with 40 mentions, not present in April.

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