Municipal permit guide

City of Chicago, IL permit planning guide

Start with your property address to identify the offices, approvals, and project documents that apply in City of Chicago, IL.

Local guidance available Reviewed July 1, 2026

Best first step

Find the approvals for your parcel, not just a generic form.

Start with the property address. GovCodex uses it to identify the parcel, zoning authority, overlays, and the mix of municipal, county, and state approvals that can apply.

Prefills City of Chicago, IL Checks authority by address

What are you building?

Choose a common project or enter any description on the next screen.

Deck / porch Fence Shed / accessory structure Detached garage Kitchen remodel Bathroom remodel Accessory dwelling unit (ADU)Other project

Issuing authority

Confirm who handles each approval

Official building guidance points to Standard Plan Review Building Permit Application. Zoning Board of Appeals — Appeal Application is the zoning-related source.

Project preparation

Local application forms are available

Use the project type and property address together before choosing a form or paying a fee.

Before you file

Check the parcel details

Use the address check to confirm the current local offices, forms, and requirements before filing.

Project-specific preparation

What can trigger review and what to prepare

These project checks highlight situations that can add an approval. Your property address and project scope determine what applies.

Common approval triggers

Fence Permit

It is unlawful to erect a fence more than 5 feet in height without first obtaining a permit from the building official. A fence not more than 5 feet above the ground on both sides that conforms to the Chicago Zoning Ordi…

City of Chicago - Department of BuildingsSource

Detached Garage / Accessory Building Permit

A building permit is required to construct a detached private garage or other accessory building. Zoning bulk limits (Title 17): the combination of all accessory buildings may not occupy more than 60% of the area of a re…

City of Chicago - Department of BuildingsSource

Building Permit (Deck / Porch)

A building permit is required to build a new deck, ramp, or exterior stairs, or to reconstruct a porch or deck. Decks are not among the work exempt from permit under Sec. 14A-4-402. A new deck/ramp/exterior stairs no mor…

City of Chicago - Department of BuildingsSource

Building Permit (Addition / Alteration)

A building permit is required before erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, or repairing a building or structure, except for the minor work listed in Sec. 14A-4-402 (e.g. painting, finish work, in-kind repairs). Ne…

City of Chicago - Department of BuildingsSource

Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Establishing an Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) - a conversion unit (attic/basement) or a coach house (detached) - requires Department of Housing (DOH) pre-certification and then a Department of Buildings (DOB) building p…

City of Chicago - Department of Housing (pre-certification) and Department of Buildings (permit)Source

Preparation order

A practical order for project planning

Use this sequence to organize the work. The property address and project scope determine which steps actually apply.

Fence Permit
It is unlawful to erect a fence more than 5 feet in height without first obtaining a permit from the building official. A fence not more than 5 feet above the ground on both sides that conforms to the Chicago Zoning Ordi…
Detached Garage / Accessory Building Permit
A building permit is required to construct a detached private garage or other accessory building. Zoning bulk limits (Title 17): the combination of all accessory buildings may not occupy more than 60% of the area of a re…
Building Permit (Deck / Porch)
A building permit is required to build a new deck, ramp, or exterior stairs, or to reconstruct a porch or deck. Decks are not among the work exempt from permit under Sec. 14A-4-402. A new deck/ramp/exterior stairs no mor…
Building Permit (Addition / Alteration)
A building permit is required before erecting, constructing, enlarging, altering, or repairing a building or structure, except for the minor work listed in Sec. 14A-4-402 (e.g. painting, finish work, in-kind repairs). Ne…
Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Establishing an Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) - a conversion unit (attic/basement) or a coach house (detached) - requires Department of Housing (DOH) pre-certification and then a Department of Buildings (DOB) building p…

Responsibility by office

Who may handle the approvals

Separate offices can review different parts of the same project. Confirm the parcel-specific split before filing.

City of Chicago - Department of Buildings

Building Permit (Addition / Alteration)

City of Chicago - Department of Housing (pre-certification) and Department of Buildings (permit)

Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU)

Fee signals

Published fee examples

Use these to anticipate cost structure. Confirm the adopted schedule and project calculation before filing.

Fence Permit (up to 6 ft)

Base fee $75 · minimum $75 · Re-verified verbatim 2026-07-19 (2026 S-73): "Installation of fence up to 6 feet high, any length, any material except masonry" = $75. A fence over 6 ft = $300 (drawings + zoning fee). A $25 stand-alone permit review fee (Table 14A…

View fee source

Detached Private Garage/Carport Permit (frame, up to 600 sq ft, up to 12 ft)

Base fee $500 · minimum $500 · Re-verified verbatim 2026-07-19 (2026 S-73): "Detached private garage or carport of frame construction up to 600 square feet in building area, not more than 12 feet in building height, and without occupiable rooftop (includes ele…

View fee source

Preparation library

Browse forms only when you need them

Search by project or approval. Official forms and adaptable state templates are labeled separately.

Showing forms that match your project search.

Verified official form

Express Permit Application (formerly Easy Permit)

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Standard Plan Review Building Permit Application

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Self-Certified Permit Application

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Electrical-Only Permit Application

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Fence / Trash Enclosure Permit Application

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Porch / Deck Repair Permit Application

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Demolition (Wrecking) Permit Application (Form 480)

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Sign Permit Application

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Verified official form

Public Way Use Permit Application

Use this official form when preparing your project submission.

Checked Jul 1, 2026Source

Official references

Official sources for City of Chicago, IL

Statewide sources describe the governing code regime. Locally verified sources identify the actual issuing office, form, or adopted schedule.

Official reference