Zoning Board of Appeals

Contacts:

312.744.3888
312.744.7091 / Victor.Resa@cityofchicago.org
312.744.8167 / Janine.Klich-Jensen@cityofchicago.org
312.744.9039 / Jeanette.Velazquez2@cityofchicago.org

 

ZBA Applications Online:

Intake Meeting Review (ONLY Required for Designated* Special Uses)  

Effective immediately, a Special Use Intake Meeting/Review will be required prior to filing of specific Designated* Special Use applications: gas stations, drive-thrus and any use that requires compliance with Section 17-9-0117-G (Air Quality Ordinance — click here for adopted ordinance and specific review process requirements). ONLY applicants for one of these Designated Special Uses should contact Nancy Radzevich by emailing nancy.radzevich@cityofchicago.org to schedule an intake meeting

All other applicants may proceed straight to filing. Any questions about the special use and/or variation applications, filing requirements and/or ZBA review process should be directed to the ZBA staff, listed under “Contacts” above.  

Variation Application / Proposed Findings of Fact / EDS & EDS Recertification
Special Use Application / EDS & EDS Recertification

Proposed Findings of Fact for Special Use (select one)

0. Extension Request
1. General
2. Adult Use
3. Business Live/Work Unit
4. Freestanding Facility
5. Freestanding Facility in PMD
6. Incinerator/Resource Recovery Facility
7. Incinerator/Resource Recovery Facility in PMD
8. Liquid Waste Facility
 9. Liquid Waste Facility in PMD
10. Sanitary Landfill Facility
11. Sanitary Landfill Facility in PMD
12. Special Use in PMD

13. Transit-Served Location
14. Transit-Served Location in PMD
15. Waste-Related Use
16. Waste-Related Use in PMD
17. Cannabis Business Establishment
18. Cannabis Business Establishment in PMD

Cannabis Business Establishment supplemental documents: Community Meeting Affidavit (to be attached as Exhibit E to Proposed Findings of Fact) / Cannabis State Application Affidavit / Community Meeting Notice to ZBA Chairman / Community Meeting Notice to Ward Alderman / Community Meeting Written Notice

Appeal Application / Proposed Finding of Fact / EDS & EDS Recertification
ZBA Resolutions - 1982-Present
ZBA Rules of Procedure

The Zoning Board of Appeals reviews land use issues that pertain to the Chicago Zoning Ordinance, including proposed variations from the zoning code, special uses that require review to determine compatibility with adjacent properties, and appeals of decisions made by the Zoning Administrator. Established in 1923, the board has five members that are appointed by the Mayor with City Council consent. Staff services are provided by the Zoning Ordinance Administration Division of the Department of Planning and Development.

Meetings are held on the third Friday of every month, usually at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., in City Council Chamber. Meetings held in the Council Chamber, Room 201-A and Room 1003 will be available to watch online via livestream.  (Please note there is no virtual participation in in-person meetings.)

Please also note that testimony forms and exhibits will no longer be accepted via email. All witnesses must be present and physically sign in on the day of the hearing. Any exhibits should be submitted to the Board while the matter is being heard, exhibits should not be submitted prior to the hearing.

An application is not filed with the Zoning Board of Appeals unless and until Zoning Board of Appeals staff is in receipt of a hard copy application and Zoning Board of Appeals staff has assigned the application an intake number.

Members

  • Brian Sanchez, Chairman
  • Angela Brooks
  • Ann MacDonald, Alternate
  • Vaishali Rao, Alternate
  • Helen Shiller 
  • Adrian Soto
  • Swathi Staley

 

2024 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 19 Minutes Map Video
Feb. 16 Minutes Map Video
March 15 Minutes Map Video

April 19 Minutes Map Video
May 17 Minutes Map Video
June 21 Minutes Map Video

July 19 Decisions Video
Aug. 16 
Sept. 20 

Octo.18 
Nov. 15 
Dec. 20 

 

2023 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 20 Minutes Map Video
Feb. 17 Minutes Map Video
March 17 Minutes Map Video

April 21 Minutes Map Video
May 19 Minutes Map Video
June 16 Minutes Map Video

July 21 Minutes Map Video
Aug. 18 Minutes Map Video
Sept. 15 Minutes Map Video

Oct. 20 Minutes Map Video
Nov. 17 Minutes Map Video
Dec. 15 Minutes Map Video

 

2022 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 21 Minutes Map Video
Feb. 18 Minutes Map Video
March 18 Minutes Map Video

April 22 Minutes Map Video
May 20 Minutes Map Video
June 17 Minutes Map Video

July 15 Minutes Map Video
Aug. 19 Minutes Map Video
Sept. 16 Minutes Map Video

Oct. 21 Minutes Map Video
Nov. 18 Minutes Map Video
Dec. 16 Minutes Map Video

 

2021 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 15 Minutes Map Video
Feb. 19 Minutes Map Video
March 19 Minutes Map Video

April 16 Minutes Map Video
May 21 Minutes Map Video
June 18 Minutes Map Video

July 16 Minutes Map Video
Aug. 20 Minutes Map Video
Sept. 17 Minutes Map Video

Oct. 15 Minutes Map Video
Nov. 19 Minutes Map Video
Dec. 17 Minutes Map Video

 

2020 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 17 Minutes Map
Feb. 21 Minutes Map
March 6 Minutes Map
March 20 Postponed to May 15

April 17 Postponed to May 15
April 24 Postponed to May 15
May 1 Postponed to May 15
May 15 Minutes Map Video

June 5 Minutes Map Video
June 19 Canceled
June 26 Minutes Map Video
July 17 Minutes Map Video
Aug. 21 Minutes Map Video

Sept. 18 Minutes Map Video
Oct. 16 Minutes Map Video
Nov. 20 Minutes Map Video
Dec. 18 Minutes Map Video

 

2019 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 18 Minutes  Map
Feb. 15 Minutes Map
March 15 Minutes Map
April 19 Minutes Map
May 17 Minutes Map
June 21 Minutes Map
July 19 Minutes Map
Aug. 16 Minutes Map
Sept. 20 Minutes Map
Oct. 18 Minutes Map
Nov. 15 Minutes Map
Dec. 20 Minutes Map

 

2018 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 19 Minutes Map
Feb. 16 Minutes Map
March 16 Minutes Map
April 27 Minutes Map
May 18 Minutes Map
June 15 Minutes Map
July 20 Minutes Map
Aug. 17 Minutes Map
Sept. 21 Minutes Map
Oct. 19 Minutes Map
Nov. 16 Minutes Map
Dec. 21 Minutes Map

 

2017 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 20 Minutes Map
Feb. 17 Minutes Map
March 17 Minutes Map
April 21 Minutes Map
May 19 Minutes Map
June 16 Minutes Map
July 21 Minutes Map
Aug. 18 Minutes Map
Sept. 15 Minutes Map
Oct. 20 Minutes Map
Nov. 17 Minutes Map
Dec. 15 Minutes Map

 

2016 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 15 Minutes Map
Feb. 19 Minutes Map
March 18 Minutes Map
April 15 Minutes Map
May 20 Minutes Map
June 17 Minutes Map
July 15 Minutes Map
Aug. 19 Minutes Map
Sept. 16 Minutes Map
Oct. 21 Minutes Map
Nov. 18 Minutes Map
Dec. 16 Minutes Map

 

2015 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 16 Minutes Map
Feb. 20 Minutes Map
March 20 Minutes Map
April 17 Minutes Map
May 15 Minutes Map
May 28 Minutes Map
June 19 Minutes Map
July 17 Minutes Map
Aug. 21 Minutes Map
Sept. 18 Minutes Map
Oct. 16 Minutes Map
Nov. 20 Minutes Map
Dec. 18 Minutes Map

 

2014 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 17 Decisions
Feb. 21 Decisions
March 21 Decisions
April 25 Decisions
May 16 Decisions
June 20 Decisions
July 18 Minutes
Aug. 15 Minutes
Aug. 26 Minutes
Sept. 19 Minutes
Oct. 17 Minutes
Nov. 21 Minutes
Dec. 19 Minutes Map

 

2013 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 18 Decisions
Feb. 15 Decisions
March 15 Decisions
April 19 Decisions
May 17 Decisions
June 21 Decisions
July 19 Decisions
Aug. 16 Decisions
Sept. 20 Decisions
Oct. 18 Decisions
Nov. 15 Decisions
Dec. 20 Decisions

 

2012 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 20 Agenda
Feb. 17 Agenda
March 16  Agenda
April 20 Decisions
May 18 Decisions
June 15 Decisions
July 20 Decisions
Aug. 17 Decisions
Sept. 21 Decisions
Oct. 19 Decisions
Nov. 16 Decisions
Dec. 21 Decisions

 

2011 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 21 Agenda
Feb. 18 Agenda
March 18 Agenda
April 15 Agenda
May 20 Agenda
June 17 Agenda
July 15 Agenda
Aug. 19 Agenda
Sept. 16 Agenda
Oct. 21 Agenda
Nov. 18 Agenda
Dec. 16 Agenda

 

2010 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 15 Agenda
Feb. 19 Agenda
March 19 Agenda
April 16 Agenda
May 21 Agenda
June 18 Agenda
July 16 Agenda
Aug. 20 Agenda
Sept. 17 Agenda
Oct. 15 Agenda
Nov. 19 Agenda
Dec. 17 Agenda

 

2009 Meeting Schedule

Jan. 16 Agenda
Feb. 20 Agenda
March 20 Agenda
April 17 Agenda
May 15 Agenda
June 19 Agenda
July 17 Agenda
Aug. 21 Agenda
Sept.r 18 Agenda
Oct. 16 Agenda
Nov. 20 Agenda
Dec. 18 Agenda

 

 

Supporting Information Facts

Additional Information

Zoning Code Text

Zoning Code Map

Cannabis Zoning Ordinance

Notice of Cannabis Business Establishment Application

Public Meeting Rules:

Guests in City Council chambers are required to go through a security screening and observe the below rules of conduct:

  • No profane, vulgar, threatening, abusive, or disruptive language.
  • No demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior.
  • No disruptive behavior or disrespectful conduct during others' presentations.
  • No banners, flyers, and signage.
  • No backpacks, large bags and sharp objects larger than 12"x6"x12". (Small, clear bags are subject to search.)
  • No food and beverages.
  • Cell phones must be placed on silent prior to entering.
  • Individuals must remain seated. Public comment speakers are permitted to stand only when providing public comment.
  • Small hand-held devices may be used only while seated and the user must refrain from interfering with the ability of others to see or hear the proceedings.

Individuals or groups failing to adhere to these rules will be asked to cease the disruptive conduct and failure to comply will result in their removal by the Sergeant-At-Arms.