Navigating the zoning rules in Chicago just became easier.
The newly released Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Chicago Business Zoning Guide will help small businesses and property owners more easily navigate the zoning process in Chicago. This was crucial as chambers of commerce and small business advocates advised that clear, reliable, consistent, and updated information on zoning usage in the City of Chicago was needed. This was conveyed to the city and this new zoning guide was formulated.
Per the BACP, the new Zoning Guide contains significant updates, including:
- Easy-to-follow charts to increase readability and save time
- Additional introductory zoning information to acquaint users with how zoning works and the specifications of each zoning district
- Updated, consistent, and reliable information regarding business uses
- Helpful resources and tools for further business support
BACP will be hosting information webinars providing an overview of the updated Zoning Guide and zoning requirements. The first webinar, “Zoning Guide Overview” will take place on Thursday, August 25th at 10:00 a.m. To register, visit Chicago.gov/BusinessEducation.
Thank you to the chambers and other groups that highlighted this issue and provided insight on how this zoning guide could help support small businesses and revitalize commercial corridors. Thank you to members of the Neighborhood Revitalization Coalition zoning committee for your engagement.
The work to revitalize neighborhood business districts continues!
Home Based Businesses
Jumpstarting Chicago’s Economic Recovery The city of Chicago is facing unprecedented public health and economic challenges resulting from COVID-19. By executive order, by choice, or by necessity, many Chicagoans are starting and operating businesses from home during the pandemic. However, Chicago’s regulations make the home occupation license too complicated and too restrictive for these vitally…
Property Tax Reform
Citizens Empowerment Act The state of Illinois has the second highest property taxes in the US. Property taxes are a huge burden on Illinois residents and small businesses, and often drive people out of the state. Illinois also has 6,918 local units of government, according to the latest Census Bureau data, which is more than…
Make Minority Contracting Reforms Now
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the small business community. With businesses struggling, government contracts are even more important to many small businesses, including minority owned businesses with limited cash reserves and access to capital. The failure of governmental entities at all levels to ensure that minority businesses receive a fair share…
