Overview
Chicago’s Department of Buildings provides building permit application services. Confirm whether the proposed work requires a permit or qualifies for an exemption directly with the Department.
Permit authority
Chicago Department of Buildings
Plan-based programs
Standard Plan Review, Self-Certification, Developer Services
Trades
Select a trade for its permit path, licensing, code resources, fees and filing pitfalls.
Electrical contractor and filing
Chicago DOBApplicable Code
Chicago Electrical Code, Title 14E; check applicable updates.
License Requirement
The City’s Licensed Trade Contractors lookup includes electrical contractors and inactive records.
License Fee
Use DOB electrical contractor licensing guidance
CEUs
Confirm renewal obligations for the City electrical credential.
Permit Fee
Codified baseline: up to 10 new circuits $150; 11–20 $300. CPI-adjusted schedule and review fees can increase these.
Plan Review Time
Track the relevant application and corrections through the filing professional.
Common Pitfalls
- An expired entry in the lookup is not an active license.
- Missing current insurance can prevent permit issuance.
Permit-to-closeout workflow
Confirm scope and program
Ask DOB or the filing professional which plan-based route applies.
Coordinate the filing
Prepare documents with the responsible architect, engineer or expediter.
Track corrections
Public status distinguishes outstanding and completed corrections.
Clear applicant holds
Check contractor license and current insurance before issuance.
Obtain the issued permit
Confirm assessed charges and issuance with the filing professional.
Complete required inspections
Confirm the scheduling route, finals and occupancy requirements with DOB.
Permit fees and worked estimates
Retrieved Chicago code Tables 14A-12-1204.1/.2/.3 on October 12, 2026. Stand-alone figures are codified baselines: the code requires annual CPI-adjusted schedules beginning in 2026. The latest adjusted stand-alone dollar schedule could not be verified, so these are baseline estimates rather than final 2026 quotes. Zoning and other reviews are additional.
| Trade | Permit fee | License fee |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical contractor and filing | Codified baseline: up to 10 new circuits $150; 11–20 $300. CPI-adjusted schedule and review fees can increase these. | Use DOB electrical contractor licensing guidance |
| Plumbing contractor and filing | Codified baseline: in-kind fixture/water-heater replacement $75 per unit/toilet room/tenant space; piping replacement $150. | Use the plumbing credential’s licensing and renewal instructions |
| Mechanical review coordination | Codified baseline: in-kind individual HVAC equipment $75 per equipment type/unit; new individual AC $150 per unit. | DOB determines the relevant contractor credential |
| Fire and life-safety review | Codified additional fire-system review $150/floor, $600 minimum for new systems; building/sprinkler review is separate. | Confirm the applicable specialist credential with the City |
| General contractor and project filing | Codified qualifying stand-alone interior alteration ≤500 sq ft $250; plan-reviewed permits have a $602 minimum before other fees. | DOB general contractor licensing guidance |
Choose your permit route
The City’s application-status help identifies Standard Plan Review, Self-Certification and Developer Services as plan-based review programs. Confirm eligibility, the filing route and required documents with the Department or the licensed professional submitting the application.
Submission checklist
Application and review
Follow the selected program from the City’s permits page. For plan-based filings, the submitting architect, engineer or expediter can access detailed status in E-Plan. Use the public application-status service to review outstanding corrections and applicant information.
Codes and local amendments
Use Chicago’s Construction Codes directory to locate city administrative, building, rehabilitation and trade provisions. Check modernization implementation notices and applicable filing dates rather than treating a model code or an older ordinance as the complete current city code.
Contractor credentials and homeowner planning
The official contractor lookup distinguishes currently licensed contractors from recently expired or inactive records. Check the applicant record for current licensing and insurance. An owner arranging the filing should confirm any owner-as-contractor eligibility directly with DOB; this guide does not publish a blanket homeowner exemption.
Review holds to avoid
Inspections and closeout
Confirm required inspection stages, scheduling instructions, finals and any occupancy approvals with the Department for the issued permit. Application review status alone does not establish inspection completion or permission to occupy.