Building permits · Illinois
Chicago, IL
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Processes in Chicago
In the order a job runs them.
Chicago permits
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City-wide in Chicago
Whichever permit you pull.
No city-wide version written for Chicago yet: 01 Registration, 02 Pre-approval, 03 Design, 05 Plan review, 06 Utility, 07 Inspection, 08 Close-out. Know it? Add it
From Chicago's own records
Chicago permits by the numbers
Permits Chicago issued from Sep 2025 to Sep 2026. Time is from application to issue, and includes any time spent waiting on the applicant.
Permit typeIssuedTypical time to issueTypical fee
Renovation/Alteration5,340 issued57 days · 1 in 4 over 119 days$1,327
Signs2,054 issued38 days · 1 in 4 over 74 days$250
Wrecking/Demolition671 issued36 days · 1 in 4 over 71 days$600
Permit – Express Permit Program20,370 issued3 days · 1 in 4 over 10 days$175
New Construction1,525 issued54 days · 1 in 4 over 112 days$3,950
Elevator Equipment1,095 issuedsame day · 1 in 4 over 2 days$405
Reinstate Revoked Pmt459 issuedsame day$779
Calculated by us from Chicago Data Portal (City of Chicago open data terms). Typical means the middle value. Types with fewer than 20 permits show no time or fee. Refreshed weekly.
Written by contractors, not by the City of Chicago. Permitpedia is not affiliated with or endorsed by any government agency. Confirm fees and requirements with the jurisdiction before you file.