A Guide to Getting Started: A Permit Overview

Why is a permit required?

A building permit is required to ensure that the project you are constructing conforms to the minimum standards of the Chicago Building Code.  The Chicago Building Code exists to safeguard the public health, safety and welfare.

When is a permit NOT required?

There are a series of repair permits that do not require a Building Permit.  See list of projects that do not require Building Permits.

What are you building?

If you are repairing existing elements on any building you can use the Easy Permit Process.

If you are a Residential Home Owner and are replacing elements of the building you can also use the Residential Permit Centers in addition to the Easy Permit Process at City Hall.

If your project requires drawings the permit process for this work is the Standard Plan Review or Developer Services process.

The Department of Buildings has created special permit processes and programs to efficiently review a variety of project types.  The following is a brief overview of each process with a link to more detailed information.

Permit Office Locations and Programs Served

City Hall

121 N LaSalle St (City Hall)    
Chicago, Illinois 60602                
All Permit Types, except Home Owner Assistance

Northside Center

2550 W Addison St
Chicago, Illinois 60618    
Home Owner EPP and Home Owner Assistance

Southside Center

4770 S Kedzie Ave
Chicago, Illinois 60632    
Home Owner, EPP, and Home Owner Assistance

Southeastside Center    

2006 E 95th St                
Chicago, Illinois 60617                        
Home Owner, EPP, and Home Owner Assistance

Login accounts

Most permits can be applied for electronically with some EPP permits being issued electronically.

The following individuals should create a Login Account.  The login account will allow the following.

Homeowners      

• Schedule an appointment with the Neighboorhood Residential Permit Center. 
• Apply and receive a Repair permit for most repair work.

Architects, Structural Engineers and Expediters        

• Create a Building Permit Applicaion.  Apply and receive an electronic Repair permit.
• Check on the status of a Building Permit Application.
• To create a login account see Creating a Login Account

Easy Permit Process

(small repair and replacement projects)

The Easy Permit Process (EPP) allows building owners to obtain a building permit for small projects that do not require an architect or drawings.  EPPs are intended for the repair or replacement of existing non-structural building elements.  Refer to the EPP Flow Chart.  No appointment is required.  Easy Permits can typically be obtained the same day at City Hall or one of our (3) Neighborhood Residential Permit Centers.  Zoning reviews are typically not required.  Some EPPs can be obtained entirely online.  Examples of common EPP projects include:

• Replace limited drywall
• Replace light fixtures
• Replace single furnace
• Replace single hot water heater
• New non-brick fences (greater than 5 feet high and not more than 6 feet high)
• Roof replacement
• New wood frame garage New wood trash enclosure
• Masonry tuck pointing
• Replace limited brick masonry
• Scaffolding Wrecking Permit

Click here to visit the Easy Permit Process page.

Neighborhood Residential Permit Centers

Residential permit centers are three permits centers that are located in city neighborhoods to serve residential home owners exclusively.

The residential permit centers can issue the following permits.

• Repair permits for work that is taking place in a residential building up to 3 residential units (EPP).
• Alterations and additions to residential buildings up to three residential units.  The home owner can submit Architect prepared plans or they can use the Home Owner Assistance Program.

• All requests for permits are handled by appointment only.  You must have a City of Chicago account in order to schedule an appointment.  Setting up a login account.

Home Owner Assistance

(single family home alterations)

The Home Owner Assistance program allows the owner occupant of a single family home to prepare the application forms and architectural drawings with the assistance of a DOB Project Manager (PM).  This process typically requires 3 to 5 one hour meetings with the Project Manager at any of our (3) Neighborhood Residential Permit Centers.  The owner occupant must personally attend and participate in all meetings.  Zoning reviews are typically performed by the PM.  Refer to the HOA Submittal Checklist.  No architect is required.

Click here to visit the Home Owner Assistance page.

Standard Plan Review

(medium size projects)

The Standard Plan Review Process (SPR) is intended for small to mid-size new construction and alteration projects.  Architectural drawings prepared by a licensed architect are required.  Building permit applications must be created online.  Zoning reviews and DOB Intake Appointments are performed at City Hall and must be scheduled online.  Zoning reviews are obtained from the Zoning Ordinance Administration prior to the Intake Appointment.  Refer to the SPR Flow Chart.  Projects meeting the following criteria are eligible for SPR:

• Buildings not greater than 80 feet high
• Business and Mercantile projects not greater than 150,000 square feet
• Residential projects with not more than 40 dwelling units
• Excavation work and foundations not more than 12 feet deep
• Removal of non-load bearing interior partitions
• Tents and Platforms (over 400 sq. ft.)
• Projects using the Small Project Program and the Self-Certification Permit Program
• Projects NOT using a Green technology (green roof, rain water harvesting, solar panels, solar thermal panels, wind turbines and geothermal systems)

Only Architects, Structural Engineers and Expediters can submit Building Permit Applications for the Standard Plan Review process.  These individuals must sign up for a City of Chicago login account the login account will allow the ability to enter the a Permit Application online check on the status of an application and schedule an appointment.  Architects and Structural Engineers must hold a current State of Illinois license.  Expediters must hold a current City of Chicago Expediter License Applying for an Expediters license  

Click here to visit the Standard Plan Review page.

Developer Services Program

(large or complex projects)

The Developer Services Program is designed to meet the special needs of large or complex new construction and alteration projects.  Architectural drawings prepared by a licensed architect are required.  A DOB Project Administrator (PA) is assigned to manage the permit process, perform the zoning review and provide a single point of contact during the entire process.  The plan reviews can be performed by DOB plan examiners or third party consultant architectural and engineering firms.  Refer to the Developer Services Flow Chart.  Paperless submissions are encouraged.  Developer Services projects meeting the eligibility requirements of the Self-Certification Permit Program are welcome.  Projects meeting the following criteria are required to use the Developer Services Program.

• Buildings greater than 80 feet high
• Business and Mercantile projects greater than 150,000 square feet
• Residential projects with more than 40 dwelling units
• Foundations and excavation more than 12 feet deep
• Projects using the Green Permit Process
• Projects with a Green technology (green roof, rain water harvesting, solar panels, solar thermal panels, wind turbines and geothermal systems)

Click here to visit the Developer Services page.