17-10-0100 General.

   17-10-0101 Applicability.

      17-10-0101-A New Development. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the parking and loading standards of this chapter apply to all new buildings constructed and all new uses established in all zoning districts.

      17-10-0101-B Expansions and increases in intensity.

         1.   Nonresidential Uses.

            (a)   Unless otherwise expressly stated, the parking and loading standards of this chapter apply when an existing nonresidential building or nonresidential use is expanded or enlarged by 15% or more. This provision applies to the addition of floor area, seating capacity, employees or other units of measurement used for establishing off-street parking and loading requirements.

            (b)   In the case of nonresidential buildings or nonresidential uses that have been in lawful existence for 50 or more years, the parking and loading standards of this chapter apply when the building or use is expanded or enlarged by 25% or more.

            (c)   In the case of nonresidential building or use expansions triggering requirements for additional parking, such additional off-street parking and loading spaces are required only to serve the enlarged or expanded area, not the entire building or use.

         2.   Residential Uses.

            (a)   Unless otherwise expressly stated, the parking and loading standards of this chapter apply whenever additional dwelling units are added to an existing residential building or other residential use. In such cases, additional off-street parking and loading spaces are required only to serve the added dwelling units. While a lawfully existing off-street parking deficit is not required to be eliminated when additional dwelling units are added to a building, existing off-street parking spaces may not be reduced below, or if already less than, may not be further reduced further below minimum required parking ratios. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to require that applicants provide reasonable evidence showing the existing number of dwelling units and the existing number of off-street parking spaces. The intent of this provision is to ensure that existing parking deficits are not increased as a result of additions containing dwelling units. If the residential building or other residential use has been in lawful existence for 20 or more years, the parking and loading standards of this chapter apply when 2 or more dwelling units are added.

      17-10-0101-C Change of Use (Nonresidential).

         1.   Unless otherwise expressly stated, when the use of property changes, off-street parking and loading facilities must be provided to serve nonresidential uses only when the number of parking or loading spaces required for the new nonresidential use exceeds the number of spaces required for the use that most recently occupied the building, based on the minimum parking standards of this Zoning Ordinance. In other words, "credit" is given to the most recent use of the property for the number of parking spaces that would be required now; a new nonresidential use is not required to "make up" the existing deficit.

         2.   If the building in which the change of use occurs has been in lawful existence for 50 or more years, additional parking and loading facilities must be provided only when the number of parking or loading spaces required for the new nonresidential use exceed by 25% or more the number of spaces that would have been required for the use that most recently occupied the building based on the minimum parking standards of this Zoning Ordinance. In such cases, additional parking and loading spaces must be provided only in the amount by which the number of parking or loading spaces required for the new nonresidential use exceed 125% of the number of spaces that would have been required for the use that most recently occupied the building (based on existing parking ratios).

         3.   Notwithstanding any other provision of the code to the contrary, no credit for required off-street parking or loading space shall be given to any building, or any part thereof, in which the change is to a use as an industrial private event venue.

   17-10-0102 Off-street Parking Exemptions and Reductions.

      17-10-0102-A Landmarks.

         1.   No additional off-street parking or loading spaces are required for rehabilitation or reuse of an official Chicago Landmark building.

         2.   No additional off-street parking or loading spaces are required for rehabilitation or reuse of an existing "contributing building" within an official Chicago Landmark district.

         3.   Minimum off-street automobile parking ratios for all uses may be reduced by up to 50 percent from the otherwise applicable standards for the rehabilitation of existing buildings which are 1) designated a National Historic Landmark; or 2) listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places; or 3) listed as a "contributing building" to a Historic District that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

      17-10-0102-B Transit-Served Locations.

         1.   In RM5, RM5.5, RM6, RM6.5, B, C, D, M or PMD subarea B districts, minimum off-street automobile parking ratios may be reduced by up to 100 percent from the otherwise applicable standards for new construction or rehabilitation or reuse of existing structures located within 2,640 feet of a CTA or METRA rail station entrance or exit or within 1,320 feet of a CTA bus line corridor roadway segment listed in Table 17-17-0400-B. Any reduction in minimum off-street automobile parking ratios in excess of 50% under this Section 17-10-0102-B.1 shall be approved only as an administrative adjustment under the provisions of Section 17-13-1003-EE. Any party requesting a reduction in excess of 50% under this Section 17-10-0102-B.1 shall provide notice to the alderman of the ward in which the subject property is located, and no such reduction shall be approved until at least 10 days after the date that such notice was delivered to the alderman.

         2.   Residential buildings within 2,640 feet of a CTA or METRA rail station entrance or exit or within 1,320 feet of a CTA bus line corridor roadway segment listed in Table 17-17-0400-B must contain at least one bicycle parking space per dwelling unit. Non-residential buildings within 2,640 feet of a CTA or METRA rail station entrance or exit or within 1,320 feet of a CTA bus line corridor roadway segment listed in Table 17-17-0400-B must contain at least one bicycle parking space for each automobile parking space that would otherwise be required under the applicable standards of Section 17-10-0200. When such calculations for residential buildings or non-residential buildings result in a bicycle parking requirement in excess of 50 bicycle parking spaces, the limits described in Section 17-10-0301-B shall not apply. All bicycle parking design is subject to the regulations of Section 17-10-0302.

         3.   The 1,320-foot and 2,640-foot distances specified in this Section must be measured along a straight line between the rail station entrance or exit and the nearest boundary of the lot to be developed or, when applied to a CTA bus line corridor roadway segment listed in Table 17-17-0400-B, between the roadway segment centerline and the nearest boundary of the lot to be developed.

         4.   Residential buildings which: i. achieve a mandatory planned development threshold, pursuant to Section 17-8-0513; ii. maximize minimum lot area density for efficiency units, pursuant to Sections 17-2-0313, 17-3-0410 or 17-4-0409; iii. maximize floor area ratio, pursuant to Sections 17-2-0304, 17-3-0403 or 17-4-0405; and, iv. are located within 2,640 feet of a CTA or METRA rail station entrance or exit or within 1,320 feet of a CTA bus line corridor roadway segment listed in Table 17-17-0400-B, may replace, at a 1:1 ratio, square footage required for accessory parking that was reduced pursuant to Section 17-10-0102-B.1 with floor area for on-site affordable square footage, as defined by Section 2-44-085, provided:

            a.   the parking is reduced beyond 50% pursuant to Section 17-10-0102-B.1;

            b.   the residential unit floor area is provided for new units only, and not for the expansion of allowed units, per 17-10-0102-B(4)(ii) and 17-10-0102-B(4)(iii) above;

            c.   notwithstanding any other provision of this Code to the contrary, any affordable units, as defined by Section 2-44-085, as amended (the "ARO"), established in a project pursuant to this Section, shall be subject to all terms and provisions of the ARO until the project is re-established as a non-residential use; and,

            d.   the residential unit floor area is provided in the same residential building from which the parking is replaced.

            e.   the total number of on-site affordable units in the building equals at least the minimum number of on-site affordable units required by Section 2-44-085, plus the number of additional units added to the building pursuant to this Section.

         5.   For projects located within 2,640 feet of a CTA or METRA rail station entrance or exit or within 1,320 feet of a CTA bus line corridor roadway segment listed in Table 17-17-0400-B, minimum off-street automobile parking ratios may be reduced by up to 100 percent for the entire building from the otherwise applicable standards for new construction or rehabilitation or reuse of existing structures if:

            a.   50% or more of the dwelling units are either: (i) assisted housing, as defined by Section 2-44-120 or (ii) affordable units, as defined by Section 2-44-085; or

            b.   50% or more of the dwelling units are in a residential development otherwise subject to a recorded covenant, lien, regulatory agreement, deed restriction, or similar instrument requiring that units be income restricted to no more than 80% of Area Median Income, as defined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, approved or acknowledged by the Department of Housing.

      17-10-0102-C Underground Parking. When buildings in "D" zoning districts provide all parking spaces underground, minimum off-street parking ratios are reduced by 50 percent from otherwise applicable standards.

      17-10-0102-D Small Dwelling Units. The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve off-street parking ratio reductions of up to 25 percent for multi-unit residential developments in "D" districts if the Zoning Administrator determines, based on information provided by the applicant, that automobile ownership rates are likely to be lower than minimum off-street parking requirements. In order to qualify for consideration of lower parking ratios under this provision, the building must contain 100 or more dwelling units and the average size of a dwelling unit within the building must be less than 800 square feet.

      17-10-0102-E Minimal Parking. When the minimum off-street parking requirements of this chapter result in a requirement to provide fewer than the following number of parking spaces, off-street parking need not be provided:

 

District	Parking Waived if Minimum Requirement is for Less than:
D dash 5	5 spaces
D dash 7, 10	10 spaces
D dash 12, 16	50 Spaces

 

      17-10-0102-F Type A Units. When a multi-unit residential building utilizes the incentives in 17-2-0303-B.2 or 17-2-0304-D, minimum off-street parking shall be no greater than 1 space per 8 feet of alley frontage, provided that an accessible parking space shall count as 2 spaces. Fractions in the calculation of the number of required off-street parking spaces shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number. In no circumstance should this provision be interpreted to require a greater number of off-street parking spaces than would otherwise be required.

   17-10-0103 Damage or Destruction. When a use that has been damaged or destroyed by fire, collapse, explosion, or other cause is re-established, off-street parking or loading facilities must also be re-established or continued in operation in an amount equal to the number maintained at the time of such damage or destruction. It is not necessary, however, to restore or maintain parking or loading facilities in excess of those required by this Zoning Ordinance for equivalent new uses or construction.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 3-9-05, p. 44391; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. VII, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 6-27-12, p. 30542, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 248; Amend Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 60173, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 11-5-14, p. 96201, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 3-18-15, p. 105476, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 9-24-15, p. 7499, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 2-10-16, p. 18766, § 15; Amend Coun. J. 1-23-19, p. 94981, § 3; Amend Coun. J. 7-20-22, p. 50878, § 6)

17-10-0200 Off-street parking ratios.

   17-10-0201 General. Off-street parking spaces must be provided in accordance with the off-street parking schedules of this section.

   17-10-0202 Parking Groups. Each land use listed in the use tables of Sec. 17-2-0200, Sec. 17-3-0200, Sec. 17-4-0200 and Sec. 17-5-0200, is assigned to a parking group which, in turn, establishes the applicable off-street parking standard for the listed use type. The off-street parking standards that apply to each of the parking groups are listed in the off-street parking schedules of this section.

   17-10-0203 Districts. Many parking standards vary according to the district in which the use is located. The first column of the off-street parking schedules identifies the zoning districts in which the listed standard applies.

   17-10-0204 Minimum Automobile Parking Ratio. The second column of the off-street parking schedules establishes the minimum required off-street automobile parking ratio.

   17-10-0205 Maximum Accessory Parking Ratio. In downtown zoning districts, many uses are subject to a maximum accessory parking ratio. The third column of off-street parking schedule 2 establishes applicable maximum accessory parking ratios. When the number of off-street spaces provided exceeds the stated maximum accessory parking ratio, then each parking space provided in excess of the maximum accessory ratio will be counted as 350 square feet of floor area when calculating the building's floor area and determining compliance with applicable floor area ratio standards. Parking spaces provided in excess of maximum accessory ratios will not be counted as floor area if such spaces are located underground, below the lowest grade level of any abutting street.

   17-10-0206 Minimum Bicycle Parking. The final column of the off-street parking schedules establishes the minimum bicycle parking ratio for the parking group.

   17-10-0207 Off-Street Parking Schedule 1: Neighborhood Zoning Districts. Schedule "1" presents off-street parking standards for uses in neighborhood zoning districts (i.e., R, B, C and M districts). The off- street parking standards for downtown (D) zoning districts are presented in Sec. 17-10-0208 below. In the event of conflict between this schedule and zoning district use regulations (e.g., this schedule establishes a parking standard for a use not allowed in the underlying zoning district), the zoning district use regulations govern.

For a printer-friendly PDF version of Table 17-10-0207, please click here.

District	Minimum Automobile Parking Ratio (per unit or gross floor area)	Minimum Bike Parking
17-10-0207-A Parking Group A. (Detached Houses, Two-flat, Townhouses)
RS1 and RS2	2 spaces per unit, provided that off-street parking is not required for detached houses on lots of records that are 33 feet or less in width if the subject lot does not have access to an improved alley and provided further that the Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve an administrative adjustment allowing a minimum of 1 parking space per unit if such reduction will result in more useable open space on the lot (See Sec. 17-13-1003-CC); 1 space per unit for government-subsidized units	None
RS3	2 spaces per unit for detached houses and 1.5 spaces per unit for two-flats, provided that off-street parking is not required for detached houses or two-flats on lots of records that are 33 feet or less in width if the subject lot does not have access to an improved alley and provided further that the Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve an administrative adjustment allowing a minimum of 1 parking space per unit if such reduction will result in more useable open space on the lot (See Sec. 17-13-1003-CC); 1 space per unit for government-subsidized units	None
All other districts	1 space per unit, provided that off-street parking is not required for detached houses or two-flats on lots of records that are 33 feet or less in width if the subject lot does not have access to an improved alley; 1 space per unit for government-subsidized detached houses and two-flats	None
17-10-0207-B Parking Group B. (Single-room Occupancy)
All districts	1 space per 10 units	1 per 2 auto spaces in buildings containing 8 or more units
17-10-0207-C Parking Group C. (Multi-Unit, nongovernment-subsidized; based on zoning)
R (all)	1 space per unit	1 per 2 auto spaces in buildings containing 8 or more units
B, C dash 1, 1.5, 2	1 space per unit
B, C dash 3	1 space per unit
B, C dash 5	1 space per unit for first 100 units; 0.60 spaces per unit for all additional units
(Multi-Unit, government-subsidized; based on unit size)
Less than 600 sq. ft.	0.33 spaces per unit	1 per 2 auto spaces in buildings containing 8 or more units
600 – 1,200 square feet	0.70 spaces per unit
1,201+ square feet	1 space per unit
(Note: DPD authorized to grant further reductions for government-subsidized units based on transit availability, auto availability, income levels, availability of shopping and services within walking distance and other pertinent factors) (Note: Business live/work units shall comply with the off-street parking standards of Parking Group C; provided, however, in the case of buildings constructed prior to August 1, 2012, one business live/work unit per building shall be exempt from such parking standards.)
17-10-0207-D Parking Group D. (Elderly Housing)
All	0.33 spaces per unit	1 per 4 auto spaces in buildings containing 8 or more units
17-10-0207-E Parking Group E. (Universities, Day Care, Parks and Recreation, Postal Service, Public Safety, Schools, Utilities, Business/Trade School)
R (All) B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1 per 3 employees + additional parking and drop-off spaces as determined by Department of Zoning and Land Use Planning	1 per 10 auto spaces; minimum 4 spaces
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-F Parking Group F. (Cultural Exhibits and Libraries)
R (All) B, C, M dash 1, 1.5 or 2	None for first 4,000 square feet then 1 space per 1,000 square feet	1 per 10 auto spaces; minimum 4 spaces
B, C, M dash 3	None for first 10,000 square feet then 2.5 space per 1,000 square feet
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-G Parking Group G. (Hospitals)
R (All) B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1 space per 3 beds + 1 per 3 employees + 1 per doctor	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-H Parking Group H. (Lodges and Private Clubs)
R (All) B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1 per 3 lodging rooms + 1 per 10 persons capacity	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-I Parking Group I. (Religious Assembly)
R (All) B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1 per 8 seats in auditorium	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-J Parking Group J. (Adult Use)
C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	Entertainment-related: 1 per 10 persons capacity Retail-related: None for first 4,000 square feet then 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	Entertainment-related: 1 per 10 persons capacity Retail-related: None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-K Parking Group K. (Shelter/Boarding Kennel, Veterinary)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	2 spaces for 1,000 square feet not including space used for animal pens and other non-public areas	None
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-L Parking Group L. (Office, High Technology Office, Animal Sales and Grooming, Communication Service, Financial Services, Business Support Services, Employment Agencies)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2	None for first 4,000 square feet then 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 3	None for first 10,000 square feet then 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-M Parking Group M. (Retail, Body Art, Eating and Drinking Establishments, Food and Beverage Sales, Participant Sports and Recreation, Fortune Telling, Personal Service, Auto Supply/Accessory Sales, Artist Work or Sales Space, Copying and Reproduction, or Cannabis Business Establishment)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2	Health Clubs: as required by Sec. 4-6-020 of the Municipal Code Participant Sports and Recreation: 1 per 10 persons capacity All other: None for first 4,000 square feet then 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet	1 per 5 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 3	Health Clubs: as required by Sec. 4-6-020 of the Municipal Code Participant Sports and Recreation: 1 per 10 persons capacity All other: None for first 10,000 square feet then 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet
B, C, M dash 5	Health Clubs: as required by Sec. 4-6-020 of the Municipal Code Participant Sports and Recreation: 1 per 10 persons capacity All other: None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-N Parking Group N. (Building Maintenance, Business Equipment Sales and Service, Repair or Laundry Service, Vehicle Sales and Service)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2	None for first 4,000 square feet then 1.66 spaces per 1,000 square feet	None
B, C, M dash 3	None for first 10,000 square feet then 1.66 spaces per 1,000 square feet
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-O Parking Group O. (Construction Sales and Service)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1.66 spaces per 1,000 square feet	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5D (all)	See Off-Street Parking Schedule "2"
17-10-0207-P Parking Group P. (Entertainment and Spectator Sports)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1 space per 10 persons capacity; none for live theater venues with less than 150 seats	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	Indoor Event Venues: 1 space per 10 persons capacity All other: None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-Q Parking Group Q. (Group Living, Funeral and Interment, Consulates, Philanthropic Institutions, Day Labor Employment Agency, Residential Storage Warehouse)
R (All) B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	As determined by DPD	As determined by DPD
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-R Parking Group R. (Flea Market, Gas Stations)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1 space per 3 employees	None
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-S Parking Group S. (Lodging)
R (All) B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	Bed and Breakfast: 1 space per 4 rooms, plus 1 space for owner; none required if guests have access to public parking (non-accessory) facility within 600 feet Hotel/Motel: 1 space per 3 lodging rooms	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-T Parking Group T. (Medical Service, Children's Activities Facility)
R (All)B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	None for first 4,000 square feet, then 2.5 spaces per 1,000 square feet	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-U Parking Group U. (Commercial Garden or Greenhouse, Electronic Data Storage Centers, Industrial)
B, C, M dash 1, 1.5, 2, 3	1 space per 4 employees	1 per 10 auto spaces
B, C, M dash 5	None for first 35,000 square feet or 2 × lot area, whichever is greater, then 1.33 spaces per 1,000 square feet
17-10-0207-V Parking Group V. (Indoor Special Event)
All	1 space per 10-persons capacity; none required on-site (i) for events with an estimated attendance of 150 or fewer persons; or (ii) upon proof of an agreement, submitted pursuant to Section 17-10-0604, providing for the use of off-site parking privileges; or (iii) in manufacturing districts, upon proof of an agreement with a licensed valet parking operator in a form acceptable to the Zoning Administrator.	None
17-10-0207-W Parking Group W. (Motor Vehicle Repair Shops required to be licensed under Chap. 4-228 of the Chicago Municipal Code)
All	2 spaces for each repair bay or 300 square feet of vehicle repair space, whichever is greater	None

 

   17-10-0208 Off-Street Parking Schedule 2: Downtown Zoning Districts. Schedule "2" presents off-street parking standards for uses in downtown (D) zoning districts. The off-street parking standards for neighborhood zoning districts (i.e., R, B, C and M) are presented in Sec. 17-10-0207 above.

For a printer-friendly PDF version of Table 17-10-0208, please click here.

District	Minimum Automobile Parking Ratio (Per unit or gross floor area)	Maximum Accessory Parking Ratio (per unit or gross floor area)	Minimum Bike Parking
Residential Uses
D dash 3	1 space per dwelling unit	2.0 per dwelling unit	1 per 2 auto spaces in buildings containing 8 or more units
D dash 5	1 space per unit for first 100 units; 0.60 spaces per unit for all additional units; subsidized units as determined by DHED	1.5 per dwelling unit
D dash 7	0.7 spaces per dwelling unit	DC district: 1.1 per dwelling unit DX and DR districts: 1.1 per dwelling unit for dwelling units containing less than 1,600 square feet of floor area; 1.5 per dwelling unit for dwelling units containing 1,600 square feet of floor area or more
D dash 10, 12, 16	0.55 spaces per dwelling unit
Nonresidential Uses
D dash 3	None for first 10,000 square feet then 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet	None	None
D dash 5	None for first 70,000 square feet or 2 x lot area, whichever is greater, then 0.8 spaces per 1,000 square feet	None
D dash 7, 12, 16	No minimums in dash 7, 12 or 16 except for the following: Hotels with more than 15,000 square feet of meeting, conference or banquet area: 1 space per 1,000 square feet Theaters and other indoor entertainment and spectator sport facilities with seating capacity of more than 1,000: 1 space per 20 seats when located in a DX district (none required in DC)	Maximum accessory parking ratio in DC and DX dash 7, 12 and 16: Hotels: 1 space per 400 square feet of assembly space (i.e. meeting, conference or banquet area) + 1 space per 10 rooms in DC and 1 space per 5 rooms in DX Offices: 1 space per 2,800 square feet of gross floor area Retail: 1 space per 1,000 square feet in DC; 2.5 per 1,000 square feet in DX Restaurant: 1 space per 1,000 square feet in DC; 3 per 1,000 square feet in DX Theaters and other indoor entertainment and spectator sport facilities: 1 space per 10 seats in DC; 1 per 5 seats in DX

 

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 3-9-05, p. 44381; Amend Coun. J. 3-9-05, p. 44391; Amend Coun. J. 11-30-05, p. 62719; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-06, p. 84870, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-19-08, p. 47220, Art. VII, § 1; Amend Coun. J. 5-12-10, p. 91343, § 4; Amend Coun. J. 11-17-10, p. 106597, Art. IX, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 9-8-11, p. 7541, § 8; Amend Coun. J. 5-9-12, p. 27485, § 193; Amend Coun. J. 6-27-12, p. 30744, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, §§ 249, 250; Amend Coun. J. 11-26-13, p. 67481, Art. I, § 30; Amend Coun. J. 7-30-14, p. 86194, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 10-16-19, p. 7854, § 7; Amend Coun. J. 1-18-23, p. 59 796, § 9; Amend Coun. J. 7-17-24, p. 14728, § 4)

17-10-0300 Bicycle parking.

   17-10-0301 Spaces Required. Except as expressly stated in Section 17-10-0301-B, bicycle parking must be provided in accordance with the off-street parking ratios of Section 17-10-0200.

      17-10-0301-A Unless otherwise expressly stated, whenever bicycle parking is required, at least 2 bicycle spaces must be provided.

      17-10-0301-B No use is required to provide more than 50 bicycle parking spaces.

      17-10-0301-C The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve an administrative adjustment reducing the number of bicycle spaces required for a particular use in accordance with Sec. 17-13-1003-GG.

   17-10-0302 Design and Location.

      17-10-0302-A Required bicycle parking spaces for nonresidential uses must have minimum dimensions of 2 feet in width by 6 feet in length, with a minimum overhead vertical clearance of 7 feet. Racks and other fixtures used to provide required bicycle parking for nonresidential uses must be of a design that is approved by the Chicago Department of Transportation. Such fixtures must be affixed securely to the ground or a building, to which a bicycle may be locked or chained. Bicycle racks are not required for bicycle parking associated with residential uses. Required bicycle parking for residential uses may be provided in garages, storage rooms and other resident-accessible, secure areas.

      17-10-0302-B Required bicycle parking may be located indoors or outdoors. Such spaces must be located on private property unless the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation approves location within the public right-of-way. If required bicycle parking facilities are not visible from the street, signs must be posted indicating their location.

      17-10-0302-C A nonresidential use may use up to two vehicle parking spaces required under this Chapter as space for providing bicycle parking.

      17-10-0302-D Space within dwelling units or on balconies may not be counted toward satisfying bicycle parking requirements.

      17-10-0302-E Areas used for required bicycle parking must be:

         1.   paved and drained to be reasonably free of mud, dust, and standing water; and

         2.   well-lighted.

   17-10-0303 Non-accessory Parking. A non-accessory parking facility must provide bicycle parking area equivalent to 2 parking spaces if the facility has more than 250 parking spaces. The space must contain lockers, hard covers or shells, or other similar structures or devices in which bicycles may be individually covered and locked.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 251; Amend Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 60173, § 11; Amend Coun. J. 7-20-22, p. 50878, § 6)

17-10-0400 Calculation rules.

   The following rules apply when calculating off-street parking requirements.

   17-10-0401 Multiple Uses.

      17-10-0401-A Unless otherwise approved, lots containing more than one principal use must provide parking in an amount equal to the total of the requirements for all principal uses. (See the shared and cooperative parking provisions of Sec. 17-10-0600 and Sec. 17-10-0800 for possible exceptions)

      17-10-0401-B When two or more principal uses are located on a single lot and the applicable parking ratio for such uses exempts a certain portion of the floor area (e.g., the first 4,000 or 10,000 square feet), only one such floor area exemption may be taken.

      17-10-0401-C No parking is required for accessory uses unless otherwise expressly stated.

   17-10-0402 Fractions. When measurements of the number of required spaces result in a fractional number, any fractional result of 0.5 or more must be rounded up to the next consecutive whole number. Any fractional result of less than 0.5 may be rounded down to the previous consecutive whole number. For example, if a minimum ratio of 2 spaces per 1,000 square feet is applied to a use with 1,900 square feet of floor area, the result (3.8) must be rounded up to 4 spaces.

   17-10-0403 Area Measurements.

      17-10-0403-A Unless otherwise expressly stated, all area-based (square feet) parking standards must be computed on the basis of gross floor area, which is to be measured as the sum of the gross horizontal area devoted to such use, including accessory storage areas located within sales or working spaces, such as counters, racks, or closets and any basement floor area devoted to retailing activities, to the production or processing of goods, or to business or professional offices. Except as noted in the preceding sentence, "floor area" for purposes of calculating off- street parking requirements does not include: floor area devoted primarily to storage purposes; floor area devoted to off-street parking or loading facilities, including aisles, ramps, and maneuvering space; or basement floor area.

      17-10-0403-B For outdoor areas, calculations will be based on the portion of the lot actually being used for the specified purpose.

      17-10-0403-C When open land is used for manufacturing, storage, or other operations in a manner similar to indoor operations, such open use of land must be added to floor space in determining the number of off-street parking spaces required

   17-10-0404 Occupancy- or Capacity-Based Standards. For the purpose of calculating parking requirements based on employees, students, or occupants, calculations are to be based on the greatest number of persons working on any single shift, the maximum enrollment or the maximum fire-rated capacity, whichever is applicable and whichever results in the greater number of spaces.

   17-10-0405 Bench Seating. When seating consists of benches, pews or other similar seating facilities, each 20 linear inches of seating space counts as 1 seat.

   17-10-0406 Unlisted Uses. Upon receiving a permit or development application for a use not specifically addressed, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to apply the off-street parking standard specified for the use that the Zoning Administrator deems most similar to the proposed use or require the applicant to submit a parking study or other evidence that will help Zoning Administrator determine the appropriate parking ratio to be applied.

   17-10-0407 Public Places of Amusement. There is no special parking requirement for uses that require a public place of amusement (PPA) license. Parking requirements are to be determined solely in accordance with the off-street parking schedules of Sec. 17-10-0200.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 3-9-05, p. 44391)

17-10-0500 Use of off-street parking areas; leasing of required.

   17-10-0501 Required off-street parking areas are to be used solely for the parking of licensed motor vehicles in operating condition. Required spaces may not be used for the display of goods for sale or lease or for long- term storage of vehicles, boats, or recreational vehicles or building materials.

   17-10-0502 Required off-street parking spaces are intended to serve residents, tenants, patrons, employees, or guests of the principal use. Off-street parking spaces that are required by this Zoning Ordinance must be maintained for the life of the principal use. Except as expressly allowed by Sec. 17-10-0503, the following are deemed non-accessory parking spaces and may not be counted toward satisfaction of minimum off-street parking requirements:

      17-10-0502-A spaces that have been sold to or are owned by persons or entities who do not at the same time also own a dwelling unit used as a residence or other permitted principal use, unless the parking space is rented to or is otherwise being used by residents, tenants, patrons, employees or guests of the principal use; and

      17-10-0502-B Spaces used by persons who are not residents, tenants, patrons, employees or guests of the principal use.

   17-10-0503 In RM5, RM5.5, RM6, RM6.5, all B and all C districts, and DR dash 3 and DX dash 3 districts, up to 25% of the number of parking spaces required for residential uses may be leased out on a daily, weekly or monthly basis to persons who are not residents, tenants, patrons, employees, or guests of the principal use. In the RM6, RM6.5, B dash 5 and C dash 5 districts, and DR dash 5 and DX dash 5 districts and above, the amount of spaces allowed to be leased out to non-occupants may be increased to 45% if reviewed and approved as a special use in accordance with Sec. 17-13-0900.

   17-10-0504 Before a parking garage operator may obtain a license for a public (non-accessory) or accessory garage, the applicant must provide the Zoning Administrator with a written statement declaring that the minimum off-street parking standards for the zoning lot have been satisfied, and that all of the non-accessory parking spaces to be licensed are spaces provided in excess of applicable minimum standards.

   17-10-0505 No motor vehicle repair work of any kind is permitted in conjunction with accessory parking facilities located in R, B, DC, DX and DR districts.

   17-10-0506 No motor vehicle repair work of any kind is permitted in conjunction with open (outdoor) accessory parking facilities located in C districts.

   17-10-0507 No motor vehicle repair work of any kind is permitted in conjunction with open (outdoor) accessory parking facilities located in M districts if such parking facilities are located within 500 feet of a residential or B district.

   17-10-0508 In D districts, parking spaces in non-accessory parking facilities may not be used for temporary storage containers.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-06, p. 84870, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 6-25-14, p. 84153, § 1)

17-10-0600 Location of off-street parking.

   17-10-0601 RS Districts. The following standards apply in all RS districts.

      17-10-0601-A Off-street parking is prohibited in side setbacks and within 20 feet of the front property line. Off-street parking is permitted in a required side setback when accessed by a permitted driveway from the front property line.

      17-10-0601-B Required off-street parking spaces for residential uses must be located on the same zoning lot as the dwelling units served.

      17-10-0601-C Required off-street parking and non-required accessory parking serving nonresidential uses in RS districts (e.g., religious assembly) must be located on the same zoning lot as the use served, except that such parking may be located off site if approved as a special use. In such cases, the distance between the nearest parking space and the entrance to the use served by such parking may not exceed 600 feet. (See the special use procedures of Sec. 17-13-0900)

   17-10-0602 RT, RM and DR Districts. The following standards apply in all RT, RM and DR districts.

      17-10-0602-A Off-street parking is prohibited in side setbacks and within a 20-foot setback as measured from the front property line. Off-street parking is permitted in a required side setback when accessed by a permitted driveway from the front property line.

      17-10-0602-B Off-street parking spaces required for detached houses, townhouses and two-flats must be located on the same zoning lot as the dwellings served.

      17-10-0602-C Required off-street parking and non-required accessory parking serving uses other than detached houses, townhouses and two-flats in RT, RM and DR districts must be located on the same zoning lot as the use served, except that such parking may be located off site if approved as a special use. In such cases, the distance between the nearest parking space and the entrance to the use served by such parking may not exceed 600 feet. Off-site parking spaces accessory to a use in an RT, RM or DR district may not be located in RS1, RS2 or RS3 district. (See the special use procedures of Sec. 17-13-0900)

   17-10-0603 B, C, DC, DX, DS and M Districts.

      17-10-0603-A In B, C, DC, DX, DS and M districts, all required accessory parking spaces must be located on the same zoning lot as the building or use served, except that:

         1.   Required accessory parking serving nonresidential uses in B, C, DC, DX, DS and M districts may be located off site when approved as an administrative adjustment (See Sec. 17-13-1003-FF), provided that:

            (a)   the distance between the nearest off-site, accessory parking space and the entrance to the use served by such parking does not exceed 100 feet; and

            (b)   the proposed off-site, accessory parking is not located in an R or DR district.

         2.   Required accessory parking serving residential or nonresidential uses in B, C, DC, DX, DS and M districts may be located off site when approved as a special use (See Sec. 17-13-0900), provided that the distance between the nearest off-site, accessory parking space and the entrance to the use served by such parking does not exceed 600 feet.

      17-10-0603-B Non-required accessory parking serving uses in B, C, DC, DX, DS and M districts may be located off site in any zoning district that allows non-accessory parking.

   17-10-0604 Agreement. An agreement providing for the use of off-site parking, executed by the parties involved, must be filed with the Zoning Administrator, in a form approved by the Zoning Administrator. Off-site parking privileges will continue in effect only as long as the agreement, binding on all parties, remains in force. Agreements must guarantee long-term availability of the parking, commensurate with the use served by the parking. If the agreement is no longer in force, then parking must be provided as otherwise required by this chapter.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 3-9-05, p. 44391; Amend Coun. J. 9-13-06, p. 84870, § 2; Amend Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 60173, § 10)

17-10-0700 Shared parking.

   17-10-0701 Description. Shared parking represents an arrangement in which two or more nonresidential uses with different peak parking demands (hours of operation) use the same off-street parking spaces to meet their off-street parking requirements.

   17-10-0702 Authorization and Criteria.

      17-10-0702-A The Zoning Administrator is authorized to approve and administrative adjustment allowing shared parking arrangements for nonresidential uses with different hours of operation. (See Sec. 17-13-1003-HH.)

      17-10-0702-B The Zoning Administrator may permit up to 100% of the parking required for a daytime use to be supplied by the off-street parking spaces provided for a nighttime or Sunday use and vice-versa.

      17-10-0702-C In order to approve the administrative adjustment for shared parking, the Zoning Administrator must find, based on competent evidence provided by the applicant, that there is no substantial conflict in the principal operating hours of the uses for which the sharing of parking is proposed.

   17-10-0703 Uses with Different Hours of Operation.

      17-10-0703-A For the purposes of this section, the following uses are considered daytime uses:

         1.   Office uses;

         2.   Retail uses,

         3.   Industrial uses; and

         4.   Other similar primarily daytime uses, when authorized by the Zoning Administrator.

      17-10-0703-B For the purposes of this section, the following uses are considered nighttime or Sunday uses:

         1.   Auditoriums accessory to schools;

         2.   Religious assembly facilities;

         3.   Entertainment uses;

         4.   Eating and drinking establishments; and

         5.   Other similar primarily nighttime or Sunday uses, when authorized by the Zoning Administrator.

   17-10-0704 Location of Shared Parking Facility. A use for which an application is being made for shared parking must be located within 600 feet walking distance of the shared parking, measured from the entrance of the use to the nearest parking space within the shared parking lot.

   17-10-0705 Agreement. An agreement providing for the shared use of parking, executed by the parties involved, must be filed with the Zoning Administrator, in a form approved by the Zoning Administrator. Shared parking privileges will continue in effect only as long as the agreement, binding on all parties, remains in force. Agreements must guarantee long-term availability of the parking, commensurate with the use served by the parking. If the agreement is no longer in force, then parking must be provided as otherwise required by this chapter.

(Added Coun. J. 5-26-04, p. 25275; Amend Coun. J. 11-8-12, p. 38872, § 252; Amend Coun. J. 9-11-13, p. 60173, § 12)