ADU Coach House Gets 6-Month Permit After Review Delays
A Lincoln Square coach house project shows what ADU builders face with Chicago's complex approval process.
The detached garage-to-coach house conversion at 2203 W. Giddings Street in Lincoln Square illustrates why ADU projects require patience and deep pockets in Chicago.
After 183 days in review, this $120,000 project finally received its permit in April. The application started in October 2025, highlighting the extended timeline ADU builders face beyond the typical express permit processing that handles simpler work.
What extended this timeline:
**Standard plan review requirement.** Unlike express permits for basic electrical or plumbing work, ADU projects require full architectural review by the Chicago Building Department. This includes structural analysis, zoning compliance, and coordination with multiple city departments.
**Certified plan corrections.** The permit notes required "certified plans corrections" and lists the approval as "conditional subject to field inspections" — indicating the project needed design revisions during review.
**Multiple contractor coordination.** The permit lists seven different contractors (general, electrical, masonry, plumbing), each requiring licensing verification and coordination.
The $120,000 reported cost reflects current ADU reality in Chicago. This includes demolishing the existing 2-car garage, building a new 3-car detached garage, and constructing the coach house above per the city's ADU ordinance.
For homeowners considering ADU projects, this timeline reinforces the importance of starting the permit process well before your target construction date. Coach house permits consistently show extended processing times, making fall applications ideal for spring construction starts.