Do I need a building permit?
Most structural work, new construction, additions, and major renovations require a building permit. Minor cosmetic changes like painting or replacing flooring typically do not.
What to do first
Most structural work, new construction, additions, and major renovations require a building permit. Minor cosmetic changes like painting or replacing flooring typically do not.
Printable checklist
- Describe exactly what is changing: structure, use, size, location, or building systems.
- Identify the authority for the property before relying on a city- or county-wide rule.
- Check building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, and site approvals separately.
- Confirm whether an exemption has limits such as size, height, cost, location, or type of work.
- Do not cover structural or trade work until required inspections are complete.
How this works in practice
Whether you need a building permit depends on the scope of your project and your local jurisdiction's requirements. As a general rule, permits are required for:
- New construction of any kind (homes, garages, sheds over a certain size)
- Structural additions or alterations to existing buildings
- Electrical, plumbing, or HVAC work
- Roofing replacement (in many jurisdictions)
- Demolition of structures
- Installing or replacing fences over a certain height
- Building decks or patios above ground level
- Converting a garage, attic, or basement into living space
Work that typically does NOT require a permit includes
- Interior painting and wallpapering
- Replacing flooring (carpet, tile, hardwood)
- Minor repairs and maintenance
- Replacing fixtures without moving plumbing
- Installing shelving or cabinets
Requirements vary between jurisdictions; a permit check on your address gives the answer for your property. Failing to obtain a required permit can result in fines, required removal of work, and complications when selling your property.
What an application can look like
These examples show how a project scope typically turns into an application packet. The issuing authority decides the exact forms, documents, and reviews for a property.
Residential deck
A new elevated rear-yard deck attached to an existing home.
Construct a 12 ft × 16 ft attached rear deck, approximately 30 in above grade, with pressure-treated framing, code-compliant guards and stairs, and concrete footings below the locally required depth.
Typical application material
- Permit application describing size, height, materials, and attachment
- Dimensioned site plan showing lot lines, house, deck, and setbacks
- Framing, footing, guard, stair, and ledger details
- Contractor or owner-builder information where the authority requires it
Likely review touchpoints
- Zoning placement and lot coverage
- Structural and building-code review
- Footing, framing, and final inspections
Interior remodel
Kitchen or first-floor remodel that moves walls and changes electrical or plumbing.
Remodel the first-floor kitchen; remove one partition wall, install a sized replacement beam where required, relocate the sink, add receptacles and lighting, and replace finishes without changing the building footprint.
Typical application material
- Existing and proposed floor plans
- Demolition and framing notes
- Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical scope
- Structural detail when a load-bearing wall changes
Likely review touchpoints
- Building review for structural and life-safety changes
- Separate or combined trade permits depending on the jurisdiction
- Rough-in and final inspections before work is concealed or occupied
Detached garage
A new detached two-car garage behind a residence.
Construct a 24 ft × 24 ft detached wood-frame garage on a slab-on-grade behind the existing residence, with two overhead doors, one service door, and a new underground electrical feeder.
Typical application material
- Site plan with parcel dimensions, setbacks, driveway, and garage footprint
- Foundation, wall, roof, and opening details
- Building elevations and overall height
- Electrical scope if the garage will be powered
Likely review touchpoints
- Zoning for setbacks, height, lot coverage, and accessory-use rules
- Building review for structure and foundation
- Trade review and inspections when utilities are included
Active City of Chicago permits currently in the GovCodex Illinois permit corpus.
Largest classified family in the loaded Chicago corpus; median recorded fee $75.
Median recorded fee $550 in the loaded Chicago corpus.
Median application-to-issue interval 1 day; median recorded fee $350.
Snapshot checked September 28, 2026. GovCodex Illinois permit data currently reflects 842,269 active City of Chicago permit records loaded from the City of Chicago dataset, with issue dates from January 3, 2006 through July 24, 2026. Historical counts, elapsed time, and recorded fees describe observed permits only. They do not determine whether a permit is required, predict approval, or replace the issuing authority’s current rules and fee schedule.
What else to know
Projects that usually deserve a permit check
New floor area, structural work, changes in occupancy, and new or altered electrical, plumbing, or mechanical systems are the highest-signal triggers. A project can be exempt from one permit type and still need zoning, trade, right-of-way, floodplain, historic, or other review.
- New homes, additions, garages, sheds, decks, porches, and structural alterations
- Panel upgrades, new circuits, plumbing relocations, and HVAC changes
- Conversions of basements, attics, garages, or commercial spaces
- Demolition, grading, retaining walls, fences, and exterior work when local thresholds apply
What “permit not required” should mean
Treat an exemption as a specific rule tied to a specific scope. Save the official page, code section, email, or written determination that supports the conclusion. If the project changes, run the check again because a larger footprint, new circuit, structural change, or different use can change the permit path.
Check the actual project against the actual property.
Start with the address and scope. GovCodex will identify the relevant authority, requirements, and permit path for the project.
GovCodex
Do I need a building permit?
Most structural work, new construction, additions, and major renovations require a building permit. Minor cosmetic changes like painting or replacing flooring typically do not.
Quick permit screen
- Describe exactly what is changing: structure, use, size, location, or building systems.
- Identify the authority for the property before relying on a city- or county-wide rule.
- Check building, zoning, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, fire, and site approvals separately.
- Confirm whether an exemption has limits such as size, height, cost, location, or type of work.
- Do not cover structural or trade work until required inspections are complete.
Requirements vary by property and jurisdiction. Verify the current issuing authority, permit path, fee schedule, and inspection requirements before starting work.
govcodex.com/answers/do-i-need-a-building-permit