BUILDING CODE MEMORANDUMS

• TRESPA Meteon Wall Cladding Panels (2/8/2016)
• Approved HVAC Test and Balance Organizations (2/8/2016)
• Requirements for Drinking Fountains in Commercial Office Tenant Spaces (2/8/2016)
• Minimum Number of Public Restrooms for New Food Service Establishments (2/8/2016 - REVISED 11/27/2017)
• Refrigerants Allowed for Use in the City of Chicago (2/8/2016)
• Separation of Air Intake and Exhaust Outlets on Rooftop HVAC Equipment (2/8/2016)
• U.L. 710 Listed Commercial Cooking Hoods (2/8/2016)
• Polypropylene Plastic as an Approved Piping Material for Hydronic Systems (2/8/2016)
• Use of Portable Hand Sinks for Temporary Cooking or Food Preparation Stations (2/8/2016)
• Masonry Reference Standards (4/4/2016)
• Soil Improvement Systems - Geopiers or Stone Columns (4/4/2016)
• Skip Hoist Anchorage Intervals (4/11/2016)
• Skylights Used for Natural Light and Ventilation (4/11/2016)
• Glass as a Structural Material in Guardrails and Handrails (7/8/2016)
• Glass as a Structural Material in Awnings and Canopies (7/8/2016)
• Roof Requirements (7/20/2016)
• Earth Retention Systems (7/21/2016)
• Firefighters' Emergency Operation - Existing Elevators (November 2, 2016)
• Gas Distribution Piping Inside of Buildings (November 17, 2016)
• Natural Light and Ventilation REquirements for Basements in Existing Residential Buildings (February 7, 2017)
• Use of Cold Formed Steel Framing for Bearing Walls in Residential Buildings of Type I Construction (April 13, 2017)
• Pile Deep Foundations (June 15, 2017)

ELECTRICAL CODE MEMORANDUMS

• Sit and Stand Motorized Work Stations (2/8/2016)
• Electrical Administrative Reliefs No Longer Required for Building Permits (2/8/2016)
• Plenum Air Terminal Units (6/2/2016)
• Separate Wiring for Emergency Electrical Systems (November 22, 2016)
• Electrical Work - Existing Building Rehabilitation (February 7, 2017)

ELEVATOR CODE MEMORANDUMS

• KONE UltraRope Suspension Means Product (9/28/2016)
• KONE JumpLift Elevator System (9/28/2016)

ENERGY CONSERVATION CODE

• Energy Conservation Code Compliance for Work in Existing Buildings (February 7, 2017)

PLUMBING CODE MEMORANDUMS

• Single-User Unisex Restrooms (October 16, 2017)

VENTILATION CODE MEMORANDUMS

• Use of Door Undercut for Make-Up Air Transfer to Dwelling Unit in Compliance with Section 18-28-401.4 (2) (December 12, 2016)
• Power Ventilators for Restaurant Exhaust (May 31, 2017)

View Permits issued by the Department of Buildings in the City of Chicago from 2006 to the present.

Building E-Permits

Easy Permit Process

The following are applications used as part of the Easy Permit Process:

• Aldermanic Acknowledgment Letter
• Certification of Primary Residency by Owner
• Certification of Responsibility

A Certificate of Responsibility is provided when the owner is assuming the responsibility of the General Contractor.

• Demolition (Wrecking) Permit

If you are removing, razing or demolishing any building, structure or portion of a building you must first obtain a demolition (wrecking) permit.

• Easy Permit Process

For miscellaneous repair work such as erecting fences over 5' in height, roof patching and repairs without structural repair, changing, moving or repairing walls, floors, ceilings; or erecting a new garage or replacing an existing garage.

• Easy Permit Process Corrections Checklist

This is a checklist to know the requirements in order to get an Easy Permit.

• Electrical Permit

All the electrical work performed on the project, in addition the signature of the Supervising Electrician is required on the attached application. Note: Application requires a notarized signature.

• Elevator Installation Permit

Application for a Permit for Elevator Installation

• Excavation Certification Form

At least 30 days prior to the excavation work, the owner of the property for where the work is to be done shall notify the owners of adjacent properties of the anticipated starting date.

• Plumbing Permit to Replace Existing Fixtures

Application for a Plumbing Permit to replace, move or remove existing fixtures.

• Refrigeration Permit Application
• Refrigeration Permit for Projects with Plans
• Riding Devices Permit
• Scaffolding Permit Application
• Second Intake Request with Checklist
• Sundry Permit for Elevator Repairs
• Tent, Canopy and Platform Application
• Ventilation & Heating Permit
• Easy Permit Process Flowchart

Standard Plan Review

The following is a list of Standard Plan Review applications. The one that is most commonly used is the Building Permit Application. However for more specific work, one can choose from the applications listed below:

• Aldermanic Acknowledgment Letter
• Certification of Primary Residency by Owner
• Certification of Responsibility
• Cert Corrections Program Proof of Record Cert Statement
• Driveway Permit Application (CDOT)
• Electrical Permit Application
• Energy Conservation Code Statement of Compliance
• Energy Conservation Code Statement of Non-Compliance
• Excavation Certificate
• Floor Load Placard Data Sheet
• MOPD Form
• Open Space Impact Form
• Project Submittal Checklist
• Self-Cert Professional of Record Self-Certification Statement
• Self-Cert Program Owner Tenant Cert Statement
• Tent Canopy and Platform Application

Developer Services

The following are applications and steps in the permitting process as part of Developer Services:

Site Plan Requirements

All applications with plans submitted must include two copies of the site plan with each set of drawings. The site plan sheet should include both an existing and proposed site plan with the attached information.

Click on the Site Plan to download the document.

• Cell Tower Procedures (6-1)
• Developer Services Checklist (1-3)
• Developer Services Conflict of Interest Form (1-5)
• Dog Run incentive (1-10)
• Green Permit Pre-review Submittal (1-11)
• Mechanical Schedules (4-2)
• Project Rating Form (1-6)
• Sales Center Requirements (2-9C)
• Sales Trailer Requirements (2-9A)
• Sample Code Matrix (4-1)

MORE INFORMATION

Business Licenses

The Small Business Center (SBC) issues business licenses and regulates the business activities of industries as diverse as retail, food and liquor establishments, entertainment venues and theaters, day care centers, manufacturing facilities and motor vehicle repair shops just to name a few.

Please go to our Business Licensing: What Do I Need? page to find:

• Instructions on how to apply for a business license online or in-person;
• A complete list of all City of Chicago business licenses;
• Specific business license application requirements and more.

Please click on the "Get Started Online" button below to access the Chicago Business License Application System.

Get Started Online

The detailed municipality information displayed on this page is not a property of America's Building Records (ABR). This information is complied for your convenience from the municipality's official website. For the most up-to-date information please visit their official website.

last updated on 1.6.2020