Find Dog Friendly Apartments In Chicago

Find dog-friendly apartments in Chicago that welcome pet owners all over the city. The search for Chicago dog-friendly apartments is becoming more popular among Chicago and suburban renters, and landlords have been putting out the welcome mat for apartment seekers bringing along a pet or two in their search for the perfect apartment.  In Chicago, apartments that allow more than two pets and large dog-friendly apartments are becoming more common as more renters are becoming dog owners.  

How To Find Dog-Friendly Apartments In Chicago

Suppose you're looking for dog-friendly apartments in Chicago. Finding large dog-friendly apartments in Chicago will likely be found in the neighborhoods just off of downtown, and not as likely in the high-rise apartment buildings. In that case, you should ask listing agents or refer directly to the apartment lease agreement to find out about the pet policy for the apartment. Inquire if the apartment has any conditions or restrictions for pet owners, such as breed restrictions and weight limitations for pets, and whether the building imposes other limitations on the pet’s use of the building. Dog owners should ask, for example, whether pets are permitted in the passenger elevator, in the lobby, and any other common areas like the laundry room.

Some landlords encourage dog-friendly apartments by making bringing a pet to the new apartment affordable. In contrast, others charge monthly pet rents, an annual pet fee, and/or a refundable pet security deposit as a deterrent. Some landlords are flexible with dog-friendly apartments, but it’s pretty common for more significant apartment buildings to have a dog policy that limits the number and size of pets that will occupy the rental.

There are instances where landlords implement breed restrictions for dogs, but this trend is primarily based on a public misperception about dogs and their behavior. There is no way to determine if a dog is troublesome based on breed alone. The consensus among animal and pet care experts is that good pet owners make for good, well-behaved pets.

A pet that causes damage to the building or becomes dangerous to other tenants could be the basis for eviction – particularly if the apartment lease says so. With that in mind, apartment renters should properly train and care for any pets that will also live in their Chicago apartment. If your landlord uses the Domu model lease, you’ll find all of the relevant pet rules in paragraph 18, appropriately titled “Pets.” Whichever lease form your landlord chooses, consider the terms and conditions related to pets before you sign on the dotted line.

What Does “Pet-Friendly Apartments” Mean?

If you're looking for a home that will work for you and your pets, you should ask listing agents or refer directly to the apartment lease agreement to find out about the pet policy for the apartment. Inquire if the apartment has any conditions or restrictions for pet owners, such as breed restrictions and weight limitations for pets, and whether the building imposes other limitations on the pet’s use of the building. Dog owners should ask, for example, whether pets are permitted in the passenger elevator, in the lobby, and any other common areas like the laundry room.   

Some landlords are flexible regarding the pet policy in their apartments. Some landlords encourage pet ownership by making it affordable to bring a pet to the new apartment. In contrast, others charge monthly pet rents, an annual pet fee, and a refundable pet security deposit as a deterrent. Still, it’s pretty standard for more significant apartment buildings to have a pet policy that limits the number and size of pets that will occupy the rental.

There are instances where landlords implement breed restrictions for dogs, but this trend is primarily based on a public misperception about dogs and their behavior. There is no way to determine if a dog is troublesome based on breed alone. The consensus among animal and pet care experts is those good pet owners make for good, well-behaved pets.

A pet that causes damage to the building or becomes dangerous to other tenants could be the basis for eviction – particularly if the apartment lease says so. With that in mind, apartment renters should properly train and care for any pets that will also live in their Chicago apartment. If your landlord uses the Domu model lease, you’ll find all of the relevant pet rules in paragraph 18, appropriately titled “Pets.” Whichever lease form your landlord chooses, consider the terms and conditions related to pets before you sign on the dotted line.

Pet Amenities in Top Apartment Buildings

Many apartments in Chicago make it easier for pet owners to balance their pet’s quality of life with the necessities of keeping a neat and healthy apartment lifestyle. Popular pet amenities in Chicago apartments include:

  • Dog run on the apartment property
  • Pet grooming area on-site, sometimes called the “dog washing station” or “pet spa.”
  • Boarding for pets within the apartment building during vacations or extended travel
  • Building staff who can stop by the apartment and feed cats while their owners are traveling
  • Partnerships and discounts with dog walking services or pet grooming services

Resources for Chicago Pet Owners

Here are some resources for apartment renters and apartment landlords who want to know more about caring for pets in Chicago apartments.

  • The Anti-Cruelty Society | Resources for Chicago Pet Owners
  • American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals | Guide to Pet Care 
  • PAWS Chicago | Resources for Chicago Pet Owners

Dog-Friendly Parks in Chicago

The Chicago Park District has nearly two dozen designated Dog-Friendly Areas in Chicago parks or beaches where dogs can run and play while being off the leash. Dog owners may want to begin searching for a place near these dog-friendly areas. Chicago has “urbs in horto” as its official city motto, Latin for “city in a garden.” With all the lush greenery and park space in Chicago, apartments shouldn’t be the only space that pets have to explore. 

Below is a list of the Chicago Park District’s Dog-Friendly Areas throughout the city’s neighborhoods:

  • Anderson (Fred) Dog-Friendly Area | 1611 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60601
  • Bartelme (Mary) Dog-Friendly Area | 115 S Sangamon, Chicago, IL 60607
  • Belmont Harbor Beach Dog-Friendly Area | Belmont & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
  • Bryn Mawr Dog-Friendly Area | Bryn Mawr & Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60614
  • Challenger Dog-Friendly Area | 1100 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613
  • Churchill Dog-Friendly Area | 1825 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
  • Clarendon Dog-Friendly Area | 4501 N Marine Dr, Chicago, IL 60640
  • Coliseum Dog-Friendly Area | 1466 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60605
  • Grant Dog-Friendly Area | 951 S Columbus Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
  • Hamlin Dog-Friendly Area | 3035 N Hoyne Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
  • Lake Shore East Dog-Friendly Area | 450 E Benton Pl, Chicago, IL 60601
  • Montrose Beach Dog-Friendly Area | 601 W Montrose Ave, Chicago, IL 60613
  • Noethling Playlot Dog-Friendly Area | 2645 N Sheffield Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
  • Norwood Dog-Friendly Area | 5899 N Avondale, Chicago, IL 60631
  • Park No. 551 Dog-Friendly Area | 353 N Des Plaines St, Chicago, IL 60611
  • Park No. 556 Dog-Friendly Area | 2529 W Logan Blvd, Chicago, IL 60647
  • Park No. 569 Dog-Friendly Area | 1358 W Monroe, Chicago, IL 60607
  • Portage Dog-Friendly Area | 4100 N Long, Chicago, IL 60641
  • Pottawattomie Dog-Friendly Area | 7340 N Rogers Ave, Chicago, IL 60626
  • Puptown | 4900 N Marine Dr, Chicago, IL 60640
  • River Dog-Friendly Area | 5100 N Francisco Ave, Chicago, IL 60625
  • Walsh Dog-Friendly Area | 1722 N Ashland Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
  • Ward Dog-Friendly Area | 630 N Kingsbury St, Chicago, IL 60606
  • Wicker Dog-Friendly Area | 1425 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622