Estimate the number of dwelling units allowed at any Chicago parcel, regardless of current zoning

Chicago Cityscape’s new “housing re-calculator” answers a question our members have asked us for years: “I can see that the property is zoned RT-4 now, which allows a three-flat, but what if I could get it upzoned to RM-5, how many units would be allowed then?”

The automated Zoning Assessment tool in every lookup of a Chicago address has long estimated the number of dwelling units allowed on a given parcel. Each zoning district has a different “minimum lot area per unit” standard for dwelling units, efficiency (studio) units, and SRO units.

Zoning Assessment divides the lot area by the zoning district’s MLA per unit value for each unit type as well as performs a “blended” calculation for zoning districts that set a cap on the number of studios. Then, Zoning Assessment also shows the formula so the math can be easily independently verified.

Imagine the effects of an upzone, instantly

Now, within seconds, any Chicago Cityscape member can select any of the other zoning districts that allow residential uses and see a new estimate of the number of dwelling units allowed on a site post-zoning change. Members can perform the re-calculation as many times as needed.

After each re-calculation, copy and paste the text, or create a screenshot, into your working analysis or pro forma of a site.

Housing re-calculator pairs amazingly well with Super Parcel. Create a Super Parcel — this tutorial shows how — by selecting and combining two to 10 lots into a single imaginary lot and Zoning Assessment will, again, estimate the number of dwelling units allowed there. Use housing re-calculator to reimagine the combined lot’s zoning district to estimate the possibilities of housing development there.

How will you use housing re-calculator and Super Parcel?

Estimate the number of dwelling units allowed at any Chicago parcel, regardless of current zoning was originally published in Chicago Cityscape’s Blog on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.