Do you need a permit for a deck in Chicago?
It depends on the project. Chicago’s exemption covers repairing or replacing an existing deck in kind, within the limits in its wording below; other work needs a permit1.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Chicago's rule“Repairing or replacing (in-kind) an entire exterior porch, deck, or stair system that is no more than 6 feet above the ground and has a landing area of 50 square feet or less…”1
City of Chicago, Department of Buildings, Porches, Decks, and Balconies
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | New deck: plan-based building permit | Adding a new structure to an existing building requires applying for a plan-based building permit.2 |
| Building permit | Repair/same-size rebuild of existing deck: Express Permit | The Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to obtain a permit for repairing an existing open porch, exterior stairway, deck, balcony, occupiable rooftop, or fire escape, including like-for-like rebuilding of an existing porch, exterior stairway, or deck.2 |
Limits and conditions in Chicago's rule
Each limit sits next to the sentence it comes from; the conditions in that sentence are part of the rule.
| Rule | Value | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Exempt up to this height above grade | 6 feet | Repairing or replacing (in-kind) an entire exterior porch, deck, or stair system that is no more than 6 feet above the ground and has a landing area of 50 square feet or less…1 |
| Exempt up to this area | 50 square feet | Repairing or replacing (in-kind) an entire exterior porch, deck, or stair system that is no more than 6 feet above the ground and has a landing area of 50 square feet or less…1 |
| Like-for-like replacement exempt? | Yes, with conditions | If you have not received a building violation: replacing (in-kind) a non-structural element of a porch, deck, or balcony, such as a deck board, stair tread, or railing picket…1 |
Who can apply
- Licensed general contractor or owner acting as GC2
- Licensed general contractor, or owner acting as GC for own primary residence (≤6 units, ≤3 stories)3
Special areas and extra reviews
- Chicago Landmark properties/districts: exemptions may not apply1
Who to ask
City of Chicago Department of Buildings4
Building permits
- Website
- chicago.gov4
- Apply online
- ipi.cityofchicago.org5
- Phone
- (312) 744-34494
- [email protected]6
- Address
- 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 900, Chicago, IL 606024
- Hours
- Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (9th floor front desk, City Hall; no walk-in permit processing)7
- Inspections
- Online only: webapps1.cityofchicago.org8
Deck permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Chicago with 18 other cities on the national deck permit guide, or go straight to one:
- New York City, NY
- Los Angeles, CA
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- San Antonio, TX
- San Diego, CA
- Dallas, TX
- Jacksonville, FL
- Fort Worth, TX
- San Jose, CA
- Charlotte, NC
- Columbus, OH
- Indianapolis, IN
- San Francisco, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Philadelphia, PA
- Austin, TX
Sources
- What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? (Full List)City of Chicago, Department of BuildingsChecked November 7, 2026
- Express Permit Program: Porch, Deck, Balcony, or Fire Escape RepairCity 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
- 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