Cook County Class L Landmark Rehabilitation Incentive
Class L rewards rehabilitation of landmark commercial, industrial, or income-producing not-for-profit buildings. Owner must invest at least 50% of the building's market value in approved rehabilitation work. Cook County tax benefit triggered by City of Chicago landmark designation (see landmarkDistricts).
Check an Address — Free Snapshot
See whether a specific Chicago address sits inside the area that unlocks Cook County Class L Landmark Rehabilitation Incentive, alongside every other incentive that touches that parcel.
Owners of designated Chicago landmark buildings or buildings in landmark districts (Class 3, 4, 5a, or 5b uses). Investment must equal at least half the building's market value. City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks must support the application.
Cook County Class L Landmark Rehabilitation Incentive is tied to the Chicago Landmark District geography — being inside that boundary is the first eligibility gate. A single address can fall inside several overlapping incentive areas at once.
Boundaries are precise and change over time, so exact eligibility always depends on the specific address. The fastest way to know is to run a free snapshot for the parcel you have in mind.
Typical range · 10% assessment on improvements for 10 years (12-year total schedule)
- +10% assessment on building/improvements for years 1-10
- +15% year 11, 20% year 12, then standard rate in year 13
- +Land portion also eligible if building was vacant 2+ years
- +Stacks effectively with federal Historic Tax Credit
- 1Submit preliminary application to City of Chicago DPD Historic Preservation Division
- 2Obtain Commission on Chicago Landmarks recommendation and City Council ordinance
- 3Complete certified rehab work consistent with Secretary of the Interior's Standards
- 4File final Class L application with the Cook County Assessor
Call DPD Historic Preservation at (312) 744-3200 to verify landmark eligibility
- Landmark designation documentation
- Rehabilitation scope and budget (≥50% of MV)
- Historic preservation review and approval
- City Council ordinance supporting Class L
- Final certification of completed work
This page is a starting point, not eligibility, legal, or tax advice. Verify current requirements, deadlines, and boundaries with the administering agency before applying or spending money — program rules and funding change over time.
- Commission on Chicago Landmarks recommendation — DPD Historic Preservation
- City Council ordinance supporting Class L — Chicago City Council
- Phone
- (312) 744-3200
- Web
- Visit site ↗
- Phone
- (312) 603-7529
- Web
- Visit site ↗
Last verified 2026-05-21
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