The Chicago City Council approved an ordinance to amend Chapters 17-4 and 17-8 of the Municipal Code, related to bulk and density standards and planned development requirements. The approved amendments introduce new exceptions and clarifications to the zoning code. Specifically, the ordinance authorizes the Zoning Administrator to approve the conversion of occupied or vacant commercial establishments located below the second floor of multi-story buildings into residential dwelling units. Additionally, it allows for an exemption from minimum lot area per unit standards for the rehabilitation or reuse of official Chicago Landmark buildings or existing “contributing buildings” within DC-16 or DX-16 districts, provided a written request is submitted to the Zoning Administrator with notice to the local alderman. The ordinance also clarifies that the limits on efficiency units do not apply to the rehabilitation or reuse of these landmark or contributing buildings in DC-16 or DX-16 districts. Furthermore, the mandatory Planned Development (PD) requirement is waived for developments involving only the rehabilitation or reuse of such buildings in the specified landmark districts. The ordinance, introduced by Alderman William Conway, was passed by the City Council on July 16, 2025, following a recommendation to pass from the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards on July 15, 2025.