Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance

The Northwest Side Preservation Ordinance was approved by City Council in September 2024. The ordinance makes the following amendments to the Demolition Surcharge Ordinance passed by City Council in 2021:

Increases the surcharge amount from $5,000 per unit and $15,000 per building to $20,000 per unit and $60,000 per building for the Pilsen and 606 Pilot Areas.
Extends the Demolition Surcharge sunset date to December 31st, 2029.
Amends the boundaries to the 606 Predominance of the Block District in the Northwest Side community areas of Avondale, Hermosa, Humboldt Park, Logan Square, and West Town (Sec. 17-7-090) (See map below)

The ordinance also creates the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase the (606) Block which provides tenants the right of first refusal for sale of residential rental properties within the 606 Predominance of the Block District boundaries.

Before you can receive a demolition permit, you must submit a completed Dwelling Unit Demolition Surcharge form for approval to the Department of Housing at DOHDemolition@cityofchicago.org. The surcharge amount is $15,000 per unit lost or $60,000 per building demolished, whichever is greater.

In addition to the Dwelling Unit Demolition Surcharge form, if your project will be subject to the 606-Pilsen Demolition Surcharge, please submit documentation of the number of dwelling units in the building, such as water or other utility records or property tax records, as well as a paid invoice from the Department of Finance.

The covered areas are mapped below.

Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Enforcement Delayed: On December 2, 2024, the Ordinance Sponsors announced updates to the Northwest Side Housing Preservation Ordinance. In order for the amended language to be considered by the City Council without impacting implementation and enforcement of the ordinance, DOH will delay enforcement of the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase the Block (606) Pilot until the new proposed effective date of March 1, 2025. This delay in enforcement only applies to the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase section of the ordinance. Other sections, including changes to the demolition surcharge, went into effect on October 9, 2024, and continue in effect and under enforcement.