summary
Introduced
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
In Committee
02/19/2026
02/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
104th General Assembly
Bill Summary
Amends the Illinois Municipal Code. Provides that a municipality shall provide for at least one residential zoning district in which detached single-family dwellings are permitted on lots with an area of not more than 2,500 square feet. Provides that a municipality may not require a minimum lot area of more than 2,500 square feet for detached single-family dwellings in any residential zoning district that permits detached single-family dwellings. Provides that, 8 months after the effective date of the amendatory Act, a municipality shall, on any lot located in a residential zoning district that permits single-family dwellings, allow (1) on an area of not more than 2,500 square feet, at least one detached single-family dwelling unit; (2) on any lot with an area of more than 2,500 square feet and not more than 5,000 square feet, up to 4 dwelling units; (3) on any lot with an area of more than 5,000 square feet and not more than 7,500 square feet, up to 6 dwelling units; and (4) on any lot with an area of more than 7,500 square feet, up to 8 dwelling units, including cottage clusters. Provides that a municipality must allow an existing principal residential structure to be converted to any middle-housing type if (1) the structure is not expanded by more than 50% of its existing floor area or more than 1,200 square feet, whichever is greater; and (2) the conversion complies with applicable building codes and preservation or landmark laws. Provides that municipalities may not adopt or enforce standards for bulk, lot area, yards, height, automobile parking, density, floor-area ratio, lot coverage, access, unit size, building separation, and design that (1) impose requirements on middle housing that are more restrictive than those applicable to detached single-family dwellings; (2) require automobile parking mandates for residential dwellings of less than 1,500 square feet and require automobile parking mandates no greater than specified requirements; and (3) require any form of discretionary review, unless the same review is required for detached single-family dwellings. Limits home rule powers.
AI Summary
This bill mandates that municipalities in Illinois must allow for "middle housing," which includes duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters, townhouses, and other multi-unit dwellings, in residential zoning districts. Specifically, it requires at least one zoning district where single-family homes are permitted on lots as small as 2,500 square feet, and prohibits minimum lot sizes larger than 2,500 square feet for single-family homes. The bill also establishes clear rules for the number of dwelling units allowed on lots of varying sizes, permitting up to 4 units on lots between 2,500 and 5,000 square feet, up to 6 units on lots between 5,000 and 7,500 square feet, and up to 8 units on lots larger than 7,500 square feet. Furthermore, existing single-family homes can be converted to middle housing if the expansion is limited and building codes are met. Municipalities are restricted from imposing development standards, such as lot area, height, parking, and design requirements, that are more restrictive for middle housing than for single-family homes, and they cannot require discretionary review processes unless those same processes are needed for single-family homes. The bill also limits parking requirements and restricts home rule powers to ensure these provisions are followed statewide.
Sponsors (6)
Mattie Hunter (D)*,
Javier Cervantes (D),
Sara Feigenholtz (D),
Adriane Johnson (D),
Dave Koehler (D),
Robert Peters (D),
Last Action
Added as Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (on 03/05/2026)
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