ADU & Coach House
Chicago
Chicago's permanent ADU ordinance took effect April 1, 2026 — expanding ADU rights to 60% of the city's residential land. We build coach houses, basement conversion units, and attic ADUs for homeowners ready to add rental income or family housing to their property.
Chicago’s Trusted
ADU & Coach House Contractor
ADU construction in Chicago requires a contractor who understands the new ordinance inside and out — ward-specific opt-in rules, owner occupancy requirements, apprenticeship mandates for coach houses, and the multi-department permit process involving the Department of Buildings, Department of Planning, and Department of Housing. Lee & Sam is a licensed general contractor serving Chicago, the suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Our team brings 25+ years of construction expertise to every ADU project. We handle the full scope from zoning research and permit submission through construction and final certificate of occupancy.
Serving all 55 Chicago neighborhoods — from Lincoln Park to Hyde Park — plus the North Shore, Western and South suburbs, and Northwest Indiana.
Everything Your ADU
Project Needs
Zoning & Eligibility Research
We research your property's zoning district, ward opt-in status, and specific ADU rules before any planning begins — so you know exactly what's possible on your lot.
Coach House Construction
New detached coach house construction above or beside your garage — foundation, framing, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and full interior finishing.
Basement Conversion Units
Convert your existing basement into a legal ADU — egress windows, ceiling height compliance, separate entrance, kitchen, bathroom, electrical, and all code requirements.
Attic Conversions
Transform underutilized attic space into a legal dwelling unit with proper egress, insulation, HVAC, plumbing rough-in, and all required clearances.
Kitchen & Bath
Every ADU requires a kitchen and bathroom. We install fully functional, code-compliant kitchens and bathrooms as part of every conversion or new construction scope.
Multi-Department Permitting
ADU permits require coordination across the Department of Buildings, Department of Planning & Development, and Department of Housing. We manage all three simultaneously.
Our ADU Construction
Process
Eligibility & Zoning Review
We determine whether your property is in an ADU-eligible area under your ward's opt-in status, identify which ADU type makes the most sense for your lot, and outline all applicable rules and requirements.
Design & Permit Submission
We develop architectural plans, coordinate with the relevant city departments, and submit all permit applications. ADU permits involve multiple agencies — we manage the full pipeline.
Construction
Coach house construction or interior conversion executed by our licensed crew — foundation through finishes, fully code-compliant and inspection-ready at every phase.
Certificate of Occupancy
We coordinate all final inspections across the required city departments and secure your certificate of occupancy — making your ADU legally rentable from day one.
ADU & Coach House Across
Chicago & Chicagoland
ADU Projects
Across Chicago
ADU & Coach House
FAQs
ADUs are new and complex. We're happy to walk through your specific property and situation in detail.
Call Us NowAs of April 1, 2026, ADUs are permitted in approximately 60% of Chicago's residential land area — all multifamily and mixed-use districts plus RS-zoned areas in wards that have opted in. We research your specific address before any planning begins.
A coach house is a new detached structure built in your rear yard — typically above or beside a garage. A conversion unit is created inside your existing building, such as a basement apartment or attic unit. The permitting process and costs differ significantly between the two.
Every adu project is different. We've completed work across a wide range of budgets — from targeted updates to complete gut rehabs — and we build our estimates around what you actually need, not a one-size-fits-all number. The best way to get an honest figure is a consultation where we walk the space together.
Basement conversions typically take 3–5 months from permit approval. Coach house construction takes 6–10 months. The permitting process itself adds 2–4 months before construction begins.
No — under Chicago's ADU ordinance, ADUs cannot be used for short-term rentals of less than 30 days. They must be used for long-term rental housing or family occupancy.
Ready to Start Your
ADU Project?
Get a free, detailed estimate from Chicago's trusted adu & coach house contractor.