Chicago building permits
Building permits in Chicago are issued by the City of Chicago Department of Buildings1. You can apply and request inspections online through ipi.cityofchicago.org2.
On this page
- Building department contacts
- Do you need a permit in Chicago? Common projects
- Building codes in force in Chicago
- How to get a building permit in Chicago
- Permit expiration and extensions
- Inspections in Chicago
- Building without a permit in Chicago
- Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Illinois rules that also apply in Chicago
- Sources
Building department contacts
City of Chicago Department of Buildings1
Building permits
- Website
- chicago.gov1
- Apply online
- ipi.cityofchicago.org2
- Phone
- (312) 744-34491
- [email protected]3
- Address
- 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 900, Chicago, IL 606021
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (9th floor front desk, City Hall; no walk-in permit processing)4
- Inspections
- Online only: webapps1.cityofchicago.org5
Department of Planning and Development, Historic Preservation Division7
Historic preservation
- Phone
- (312) 744-32006
- [email protected]6
To look up permits already issued for an address (useful before you buy, or to check a contractor's work), use the city's official permit search: webapps1.cityofchicago.org8.
Do you need a permit in Chicago? Common projects
Each project below has its own page with Chicago's exact rule, the official wording, fees and inspections.
| Project | Permit needed? | Key limit in the city rule |
|---|---|---|
| Fence | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this height: 5 feet7 |
| Deck | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area (in-kind repair): 50 square feet7 |
| Shed | Depends on size or scope | Exempt up to this area: 150 square feet7 |
| Roof | Depends on size or scope | – |
| Pool | Depends on size or scope | Pools exempt below this depth: 48 inches9 |
| Water heater | Depends on size or scope | Like-for-like replacement exempt? Yes7 |
Building codes in force in Chicago
These are the model codes Chicago enforces, with the edition and the date it took effect. Plans are reviewed and work is inspected against them. For the state framework, see Illinois building codes.
| Code | Title as adopted | Model edition | Effective | Adopted by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Building Code (IBC) | 2019 Chicago Building Code (Title 14B)10 | 201810 | 10 | Phase 2 Code Modernization Ordinance (adopted April 10, 2019)10 |
| International Existing Building Code (IEBC) | 2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code (Title 14R)10 | 201810 | 10 | Phase 2 Code Modernization Ordinance10 |
| Energy code, residential | Chicago Energy Transformation Code (Title 14N)10 | 202110 | 10 | Chicago City Council ordinance (Title 14N)10 |
| Energy code, commercial | Chicago Energy Transformation Code (Title 14N)10 | 202110 | 10 | Chicago City Council ordinance (Title 14N)10 |
| National Electrical Code (NEC) | Chicago Electrical Code (Title 14E)10 | 201710 | – | Chicago City Council (Title 14E of the Municipal Code)10 |
| International Fuel Gas Code (IFGC) | Interim Chicago Fuel Gas Code (Title 14G) / Chapter 18-28, Article XIV10 | 200010 | – | – |
| International Mechanical Code (IMC) | Chapter 18-28 of the Municipal Code / Interim Chicago Mechanical Code (Title 14M)10 | – | – | – |
| State code | Chicago Plumbing Code, Chapter 18-29 of the Municipal Code10 | – | – | – |
Transition rules. October 1, 2026 (elective)11.
How to get a building permit in Chicago
- Check whether the work is exempt7
- Small projects: apply through the Express Permit Program (no or limited drawings)12
- Most construction: plan-based permit with plans by an Illinois-licensed architect or engineer12
- Plan-based applications filed only by an Illinois-licensed architect/engineer or City-licensed expediter12
- Post the permit certificate at the work site before starting4
- Request rough and final inspections online13
- Apply online
- Yes: Express Permit Program online (ipi.cityofchicago.org); plan-based via E-Plan2
- Over-the-counter permits
- Express Permit Program guided worktypes (repairs, fences, reroofing, porch/deck repair, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, small solar, etc.)2
- Posting the permit
- Express permit certificate must be printed and posted at the work site before work begins4
Permit expiration and extensions
- How long a permit lasts
- Expires if first inspection not passed within 540 days of the date work may begin; or no follow-up inspection passed within 730 days of the last13
- Extensions
- Expired permits cannot be reinstated13
Inspections in Chicago
Chicago’s inspection stages, in order. Do not cover work until the stage has passed (how inspections work).
- Permit-related inspections (rough and final)13
- Certificate of Occupancy inspections at required intervals5
- How to schedule
- Online only; allow at least 4 business days when requesting a specific date5
- After the final inspection
- No CO for single-trade permits, residential buildings with 3 or fewer units, or non-residential work up to 10,000 sq ft5
Building without a permit in Chicago
| Consequence | Applies to | As the city states it | Way to fix it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stop-work order | Unpermitted work14 | $1,000+14 | Obtain the required permit(s) after the stop work order; Express Permit Program can legalize some work (e.g., fences)15 |
| Higher permit fee | – | Permit fee tripled (in most cases) after a stop work order14 | – |
| Civil penalty | – | Administrative enforcement case or lawsuit to recover penalties14 | – |
| Removal order | – | Correct violations or remove work at owner's expense14 | – |
| Permit revoked | – | Existing permits may be suspended or revoked when work exceeds permit scope16 | – |
For how unpermitted work is usually legalized, see how to legalize unpermitted work.
Doing the work yourself (owner-builder)
- Homeowner may pull a building permit
- Yes, as own general contractor for primary residence (≤6 units, ≤3 stories, one property per calendar year)17
- Homeowner electrical work
- No18
- Homeowner plumbing work
- Yes, owner/occupant/lessee of a detached single-family residence, personally19
- Owner and occupancy requirement
- Primary residence shown on Illinois driver's license or similar ID; one property per calendar year17
- Affidavit or declaration
- Owner as contractor form (Form 401) plus government ID showing the owner lives at the address15
Illinois's statewide owner-builder and licensing rules are on the Illinois permit guide.
Illinois rules that also apply in Chicago
- Deadlines for permit decisions and inspections in Illinois
- Contractor licensing in Illinois
- Private plan review and inspections in Illinois
Sources
- Department of Buildings (home page)City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Express Permit ProgramCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Calculate the Cost of a Building PermitCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Current Operations: Frequently Asked QuestionsCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsPosted September 29, 2026Checked November 7, 2026
- Permit-Related Building InspectionsCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Demolition (Wrecking) PermitsCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 6, 2026
- What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? (Full List)City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Search Building Department RecordsCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Guidance on Residential Swimming PoolsCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Chicago Construction CodesCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Implementation of Phase 3 Construction Codes Modernization OrdinanceCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsPosted October 6, 2026Checked November 6, 2026
- Apply for a Building PermitCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Does my building permit expire?City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- What happens if I start work without a required building permit?City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Express Permit Program: Fence or Trash EnclosureCity of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- What happens if I do more work than my building permit allows?City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Does my project require a licensed general contractor?City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Does my project require a licensed electrical contractor?City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Does my project require a licensed plumbing contractor?City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026