Illinois Lawmakers Want to Kill Single-Family Zoning Statewide

Illinois lawmakers introduced legislation that would allow multi-flat buildings on most lots zoned for single-family homes across the state.

House Bill 1814, sponsored by state Rep. Bob Rita and co-sponsored by Rep. Jay Hoffman, focuses on increasing lot sizes for small municipalities and complements a previous bill that targeted larger cities, Crain’s reported. If the measures pass, single-family zoning could be eliminated across Illinois.

The latest proposal would affect cities with populations between 10,000 and 25,000, which would be required to permit two-unit buildings on any lot zoned for single-family use. Places with populations of 25,000 or more would have to allow multi-unit buildings on residential lots of at least 5,000 square feet.

The effort joins a similar bill from Rep. Kam Buckner, which applied to cities with more than 100,000 residents. That proposal, HB 4795, would take effect in phases, beginning with cities that have populations between 100,000 and 500,000 by June 1, and expanding to those with over 500,000 residents by June 2026.

Developers across the country have been working to address the demand for middle-density housing, which includes duplexes and townhouses. These housing types are seen as cost-effective alternatives to single-family homes because they distribute land costs across multiple owners.

Limited housing supply has driven up prices for households across income levels, according to Illinois’ Ad Hoc Missing Middle Housing Solutions Advisory Committee.

Evanston was one of the first Chicago suburbs to consider eliminating single-family zoning. However, the Evanston City Council decided last month to shelve the proposal.

Overall, HB1814 aligns with the state’s broader efforts to increase supply and affordability.

“If we are going to build on this state’s record of growth and prosperity, lower costs for Illinois’ working families and be a state that everyone can call home, we must build more housing in every Illinois community from Cairo to Chicago,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in December.

— Andrew Terrell