Parking reforms in Chicago
Illinois, United States

2,693,976 residents

Parking minimum removals

Policy record 1

There are no minimum parking requirements for certain nonresidential uses within the Downtown Zoning District. In certain districts (B,C, or D), the minimum parking requirement for residential uses may be reduced by 50% if the property is within 1,320 feet of a CTA rail station, a Metra rail station, OR along a high frequency bus line corridor, or 2,640 feet of other specified bus line corridors that is also along a designated 'pedestrian street or a 'pedestrian retail street'. In other districts (B,C, D or M), the minimum parking requirement for non-residential uses may be reduced by 50% if the property is within 1,320 feet of a CTA rail station, a Metra rail station, OR along a high frequency bus line corridor, or 2,640 feet of other specified bus line corridors that is also along a designated 'pedestrian street or a 'pedestrian retail street'. The parking may be reduced by 100% if it is approved as a special use.

Status

Adopted

Scope

City center / business district
Transit-oriented

Affected land uses

Commercial
Residential, all uses

Requirements

By right
Frequent transit

Citation

Source: 17-10-0102 Off-street Parking Exemptions and Reductions. and 17-10-0207 Off-Street Parking Schedule 1: Neighborhood Zoning Districts.
URL: codelibrary.amlegal.com
Attachments: chicago-illinois-united-states-remove-min1-attachment.pdf

Policy record 2

Chicago removed parking mandates for any use within 1/4 mile of a frequent bus route, or 1/2 mile of a rail station in July 2025. When located downtown or where a Metra station is the only transit service, an administrative adjustment is required when less than 50% of the normal minimums would be provided.

Status

Adopted

Adoption date

Jul 16, 2025

Scope

Transit-oriented

Affected land uses

All uses

Requirements