Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson has allowed many building owners to legally build coach houses and "granny flats" on their properties, despite a split ward-by-ward legalization. After a contentious City Council fight last year, 34 aldermen opted to allow additional dwelling unit construction in parts of their ward zoned for single-family homes, while 16 did not. The piecemeal approval means homeowners in many parts of the city, particularly the far Northwest Side, Southwest Side and South Side, still cannot legally build these units. However, Johnson has praised the move as a crucial step to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and foster affordability. The units, which already exist in much of the Chicago area, were also permitted by right in areas zoned multi-unit residences and some business and commercial districts.