Proposed Chicago TOD Ordinance: Increase Density, Eliminate Parking Requirements

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced an update of the city's 2013 transit oriented development ordinance. The new version of the ordinance would have a sweeping effect on the land uses around transit stations in Chicago.

1 minute read

July 28, 2015, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"The office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who proposed and worked with City Council to pass a major TOD ordinance in 2013, unveiled a proposal for a reformed TOD ordinance," according to a post by Yonah Freemark for the Metropolitan Planning Council. For the record, the Metropolitan Planning Council "hails this proposed zoning ordinance as an important step forward in growing our city toward its transit system."

"An initial analysis of the ordinance conducted by MPC shows that the change would more than double the area of land benefiting from increased allowed density, compared with the 2013 ordinance, from 13 million sq. ft. of parcels to 31 million sq. ft. (this represents just a small portion of the city’s total developable area)," adds Freemark. The ordinance would also "increase by more than 10 times the area that would benefit from reduced parking requirements, from 86 million sq. ft. or parcels to 957 million."

The post includes a lot more info on the impacts the proposed ordinance could have enacted. For more information about the city's support of the new ordinance, which could be considered in September, see also a press release from the office of Mayor Rahm Emanuel about the proposed ordinance. 

Monday, July 27, 2015 in Metropolitan Planning Council - The Connector

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Alpine Recreation Center sign in park in Chinatown, Los Angeles, CA.

More Than a Park: A Safe Haven for Generations in LA’s Chinatown

Alpine Recreation Center serves as a vital cultural and community hub in Los Angeles' Chinatown, offering a safe, welcoming space for generations of Chinese American residents to gather, connect, and thrive amidst rapid urban change.

1 hour ago - American Community Media

Deer grazing on hillside with few snow patches at Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.

New Trail Project Enhances Safety and Access to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Jefferson County is improving safe access to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge with new trails, a bridge, and signage, as part of the Rocky Mountain Greenway project, ensuring environmental safety and educating visitors about the site’s history.

2 hours ago - Jefferson County

Abandoned industrial factory site.

Wisconsin Awarded $12 Million for Brownfield Redevelopment Amid Broader EPA Budget Cuts

The EPA provided the funding to Wisconsin for brownfield cleanups in cities like Milwaukee and Racine, even as broader agency budget cuts under the Trump administration raise concerns about future environmental protection capacity.

3 hours ago - Urban Milwaukee

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.