Do you need a permit to replace a roof in Chicago?
It depends on the project. Chicago exempts some roof replacements from a building permit and requires one for the rest1.
On this page
Depends on size or scope
Chicago's rule“Performing roof repair, recover, or replacement on a roof with a pitch of at least 2:12 (A building permit is required for any structural repair and any work on low-slope roofs.)”1
City of Chicago, Department of Buildings, Roofing Work
Which permits you need
| Permit | Required when | The city’s wording |
|---|---|---|
| Building permit | Structural repair or low-slope roof work; Express Permit (Reroofing) | The Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to obtain a permit for many types of reroofing work, including roof repair, roof recover, and roof replacement.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 |
|---|---|---|
| Roof area that can be replaced without a permit | 25% | Performing roof repair (limited to 25% of the area of a roof surface), such as patching, that does not involve cutting away or removal of part of an exterior wall or roof…1 |
| Roof pitch rule | 2:12 | Performing roof repair, recover, or replacement on a roof with a pitch of at least 2:12 (A building permit is required for any structural repair and any work on low-slope roofs.)1 |
What to submit
Who can apply
- Illinois-licensed roofing contractor must perform roofing work2
- 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
Roof permit rules in other cities
Rules differ from city to city. Compare Chicago with 19 other cities on the national roof replacement 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
- Denver, CO
- 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: ReroofingCity 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