Other Work

Other Work

 

The Express Permit Program may be used for other types of minor work or emergency work that the Building Commissioner determines may be permitted without a full plan-based building permit application. You are encouraged to consult with the Building Department before beginning this type of application.

Eligibility Summary

Additional terms, conditions, and limitations may apply.

Important Considerations

Terms and conditions

See the full Terms and Conditions for Express Permit Program : Other Work for further limitations on this type of permit.

Before You Apply

Please consult with a Department of Buildings supervisor before beginning an Express Permit Program application for “Other Work.”

After your project is approved to use the “Other Work” category, you should gather required documents, select required contractors and professionals (if any), and have their license or registration numbers before starting the online permit application.   

Required Documents

Because the “Other Work” category is designed to allow flexibility for a range of unique situations, the specific types of documents you will need to submit will vary based on your project. Please discuss this with a Department of Buildings supervisor before beginning a permit application in this category.

Work on, over, or below public street or sidewalk

If the work to be permitted will be partially or completely on, over, or below a public street, sidewalk, or alley (the “public way”), you must upload:

  • Copy of related permit or approval

Depending on the type of use of the public way, this permit or similar authorization for work in the public way might be issued by the Department of Transportation (CDOT), Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), or Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

Work on condominium property

If the work to be permitted is on property that is part of a condominium association (including work in an individually owned condominium unit) you must upload:

  • Condominium association approval letter

This letter must briefly describe the work to be performed (example: interior renovations in unit 9A) and be signed by an authorized representative of the condominium association, such a property manager or officer of the association.

Project owned by a government entity

If the work to be permitted in being undertaken by or for a local, state, or federal government entity (such as Chicago Public Schools) you must upload:

  • Government ownership or funding letter

If the government entity has a permit fee waiver ordinance, include a copy of that ordinance as part of this upload.

Project receiving construction funding from a government entity

If the work to be permitted or is receiving construction funding from a government entity (such as a Small Business Improvement Fund grant) you must upload:

  • Government ownership or funding letter

The letter must be from the government entity providing the construction funding.

Work required to address fire damage

If work is required to address fire damage, you must have the Department of Buildings assess the scope of fire damage before you apply for a building permit. The Department’s assessment will be documented on a form called the “Tax and Demolition Form,” per the Illinois Insurance Code. You must upload:

  • Tax and demolition form

Property owner as general contractor, property owner as mason contractor, or property owner as plumber

If the property owner will be acting as general contractor or mason contractor or self-performing plumbing work, you must upload:

  • Owner as contractor form (Form 401)
  • Copy of government issued identification

The government issued identification must show that the property owner lives at the address where work will be performed.

Required Contractors

A licensed general contractor (any class) is always required. In some cases, an owner may act as general contractor.

If the scope of work includes electrical work, a licensed electrical contractor (general) is required.

If the scope of work includes plumbing work, a licensed plumbing contractor is required.

If the scope of work includes masonry work, a licensed mason contractor is required. In some cases, an owner may act as mason contractor. For brick work, either a Class A or Class B mason contractor is required. For concrete work, either a Class A or Class C mason contractor is required.

If the scope of work includes roofing or reroofing work, a valid Illinois roofing contractor license number must be entered as part of the permit application.

Required Design Professionals

If drawings, calculations, or a report prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer are submitted with the permit application, that architect or engineer must be identified in the Additional Applicants section of the application.

Ordinances and Rules

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-3-315 (Other emergency measures)

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-4-411.1 (Supporting documents—General)

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-4-412.1 (Stand-alone permits)

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-12-1204.2 (Stand-alone permit fees)

2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Chapter 14R-4 (Repairs)

2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code, Chapter 14N-C5 (Commercial buildings—Existing buildings)

2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code, Chapter 14N-R5 (Residential buildings—Existing buildings)

2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Chapter 14R-5 (Prescriptive compliance method)

2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Chapter 14R-6 (Classification of work)