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Chicago zoning map: look up any address
Type a Chicago address to resolve it to its Cook County parcel and see the parcel’s zoning district. Below: how to read Chicago’s zoning codes, family by family.
How to read a Chicago zoning district
Every parcel in Chicago carries a zoning district — a short code that decides what can be built by right. The letters are the family; the number is the intensity or density step within it. So “RS-3” is a single-unit residential district at step 3, and “B3-2” is a business district at density step 2.
| Prefix | Family | What it allows |
|---|---|---|
| RS | Residential — Single-Unit (Detached) | Detached houses; RS-1 is the least dense, RS-3 the most. |
| RT | Residential — Two-Flat, Townhouse & Multi-Unit | Two-flats and townhouses (e.g. RT-4). |
| RM | Residential — Multi-Unit | Apartment buildings; the number tracks allowed density (RM-5, RM-6). |
| B | Business | Neighborhood-serving storefronts with dwellings above (B1–B3). |
| C | Commercial | Heavier commercial and auto-oriented uses (C1–C3). |
| M | Manufacturing | Industrial districts (M1–M3). |
| D | Downtown | The Loop and near-downtown: DC (core), DX (mixed-use), DR (residential), DS (service). |
| PD | Planned Development | A negotiated, site-specific plan (e.g. “PD 1125”) that supersedes the base district. |
| POS / T | Parks / Transportation | Open space (POS) and transportation (T) districts. |
Source: the City of Chicago Zoning Ordinance (Municipal Code Title 17). Civic Worth reports each parcel’s district from Cook County and City public records, timestamped — always confirm current zoning with the City before relying on it.
Frequently asked
- What is my address’s zoning district?
- Enter your Chicago address above. Civic Worth resolves it to its Cook County parcel and shows the parcel’s zoning classification (for example RS-3, B3-2, or a planned-development number) on the parcel page.
- How do I read a Chicago zoning code like “RS-3” or “B3-2”?
- The letters are the district family — R is residential, B is business, C is commercial, M is manufacturing, D is downtown. The number is the intensity or density step within that family; a higher number generally allows more. A “B3-2” is a business district (B3) with a density step (2).
- What does a “PD” number mean?
- PD stands for Planned Development — a site-specific plan negotiated with the City that replaces the underlying base district. It is identified by a number (for example “PD 1125”) rather than a letter code.
- Is this the official City zoning map?
- No. Civic Worth reports the parcel’s zoning from Cook County and City of Chicago public records with an “as of” date; always confirm current zoning with the City of Chicago Zoning Map and the Department of Planning and Development before relying on it.