What Does Landmark Status Mean?

The City of Chicago grants Landmark District Status to multi-structure areas in  recognition of their unique and valuable history and architecture.  Landmark status protects the look, feel and spirit of the district as it appears from the public right of way: It protects only what we see from the sidewalk or street. Protected elements are generally limited to:

• Roof lines as they appear from the public way
• Visible elevations
• Facades (e.g., masonry, doors, windows)
• Courtyard spaces and volumes as they appear from the public way.

The City of Chicago supports the maintenance of protected elements in several ways, e.g., by waiving:

• Permit fees for protected element maintenance work, such as tuck pointing.
• Certain use requirements, such as unit-to-parking space ratios in the case of conversion from rental to condominium.
• Certain code requirements unrelated to life safety, to the extent that compliance would have an adverse impact on a protected element.

Learn more about landmark status and Chicago's landmarks designation process >

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