Board-Up and Clean-Up Work

A building permit is not required for the following types of work:

• Boarding up a building that has been damaged or that is vacant (Unpainted plywood boards may only be used for up to 6 months.)
• Removing trash, debris, or broken glass from inside or outside a building
• Cleaning off or painting over graffiti or smoke damage

Hiring a Board-Up Company

If the exterior of your building has been damaged, you should take steps to secure the building as soon as possible. Contact your landlord and insurance company as they may be able to recommend a board-up company. If you are unable to find a board-up company to assist with securing a nonresidential building, you can contact the Neighborhood Business Development Center at NBDC@cityofchicago.org.

Any person or company who solicits you to hire them to assist with boarding up your building is required to hold a regulated business license for board-up work and to follow consumer protection requirements. Any concerns about a board-up company or person offering unlicensed board-up services should be reported to the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP). 

Use of the Public Way

Use of a public street, alley, sidewalk, or parkway (the “public way”) for construction or demolition activities, the installation of scaffolding, or to store construction or demolition materials or equipment requires a separate permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).

Code Compliance Required

Any work performed without a building permit, as allowed by Section 14A-4-402 of the Municipal Code, must still comply with all applicable requirements of the Chicago Construction Codes. Section 14A-4-402 does not waive any applicable requirements of the Chicago Construction Codes or of the Municipal Code other than the requirement to obtain a building permit.

If you have a question about whether proposed work is code compliant or requires a building permit, please visit the Department of Buildings assistance counter on the 9th floor at City Hall.