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)

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 $20,000 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 ordinance also creates the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase (606) Block Pilot Program which provides tenants the right of first refusal for sale of residential rental properties within the 606 Predominance of the Block District boundaries.

The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Block (606) District went into effect on March 1, 2025. Properties listed after the effective date must comply with all sections of the chapter. Properties listed prior to March 1, but not yet under contract are exempt from the Notice of Intent to Sell (section 5-11-050), must comply with this chapter starting with the timelines outlined in Right of First Refusal (Section 5-11-060) of the Municipal Code of Chicago.

The covered areas are mapped below. 