Four Flats By Right

A Common-Sense Housing Solution for Chicago

Collection of Chicago traditional four-flat apartment buildings

Building More Affordable Housing for All Chicagoans

Four-flats have been a cornerstone of Chicago neighborhoods for generations. It's time to re-legalize them citywide.

Get Involved

Join us in advocating for more housing choices across Chicago

We need your support to make four-flats legal once again across Chicago. Visit our Take Action page to learn how you can sign petitions, contact your alderperson, and attend upcoming events.

Take Action Now

Open Letter to City Council

Chicago is facing a housing crisis. Many people cannot afford to live in the neighborhoods they prefer, near jobs and transit. We need more housing options for Chicago families, young professionals, and seniors.

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, are calling on the City of Chicago to re-legalize the construction of four-flat buildings in all neighborhoods across Chicago.

Four-flats would:

  • Create more affordable housing through increased supply
  • Allow for sustainable development near transit
  • Revitalize communities with appropriate-scale housing
  • Create more diverse, inclusive neighborhoods
  • Generate tax revenue to fund city services

Four-flats are a traditional Chicago housing type that has provided affordable, family-sized homes for generations. Yet today, our zoning code prohibits building them in many neighborhoods, limiting housing supply and contributing to our affordability crisis.

Busting Four-Flat Myths

Addressing common concerns about zoning reform

Myth: Four-flats will ruin neighborhood character

Reality:

Four-flats are a traditional Chicago housing type that has existed in our neighborhoods for over a century. They can be designed to match existing architectural styles and fit seamlessly into our communities. Many existing four-flats would not be legal to build today!

Map four flat locations in Chicago

Myth: Four-flats will make parking impossible

Reality:

Four-flats near transit reduce car dependency. Studies show that households near train stations own fewer cars. Modern zoning can require appropriate parking solutions when needed.

Map showing transit access

Myth: Four-flats will increase property taxes for everyone

Reality:

More housing units means a broader tax base, which can actually reduce the burden on individual homeowners while providing more revenue for schools and services.

Tax impact diagram

Supporting Organizations

These organizations support re-legalizing four-flats across Chicago

  • Abundant Housing Illinois
  • Strong Towns Chicago
  • UChicago Students Against Exclusionary Zoning

Want your organization to be listed? Contact us.