Communication Equipment

Communication Equipment

 

The Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to obtain a building permit to repair, alter, or remove wireless communication equipment that is located on private property and that was originally installed under a plan-based building permit.

Eligibility Summary

Additional terms, conditions, and limitations may apply.

Eligible

  • Repairing an existing communications equipment site
  • Decommissioning an existing communications equipment site and removing all equipment and support structures

With drawings prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer:

  • Altering an existing communications equipment site, without changing the location on the property or increasing the overall height (example: swapping out antennas)

Not Eligible

  • Establishing a new communications equipment site
  • Working on an existing communications equipment site that was not originally installed under a valid permit
  • Working on equipment that is located on, over, or below a public street, sidewalk, or alley (public way)
  • Changing the location of where equipment is installed on the property (for example: relocating equipment from the east wall to the west wall)
  • Increasing the overall height of equipment installed on the property

When is a building permit not required?

Before beginning an Express Permit Program application for communication equipment, please review:

What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? : Communication Equipment

Work to install, alter, repair, or remove communication equipment installed on or over a public street, alley, sidewalk, or parkway (the “public way”) may require a permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT).

Important Considerations

Terms and conditions

See the full Terms and Conditions for Express Permit Program : Communication Equipment for further limitations on this type of permit.

Before You Apply

The Express Permit Program is only available to alter, repair, or remove communication equipment at a site that was originally installed under a plan-based building permit. Before applying, confirm that you have records of the original building permit.

You should also gather required documents, select required contractors and professionals (if any), and have their license or registration numbers before starting the online permit application. 

Required Documents

All applications

For all applications, you must upload:

  • Existing condition photograph (at least 1)
  • Site plan, drawn to scale

Alteration

If the scope of work is alteration, you must upload:

  • Drawings prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer

The drawings must show the location of work on the building in both plan and elevation, include installation details, and confirm that new and replacement elements will meet structural and electrical requirements.

Work on, over, or below public street or sidewalk

If the work to be permitted will be partially or completely on, over, or below a public street, sidewalk, or alley (the “public way”), you must upload:

  • Copy of related permit or approval

Depending on the type of use of the public way, this permit or similar authorization for work in the public way might be issued by the Department of Transportation (CDOT), Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), or Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

Work on condominium property

If the work to be permitted is on property that is part of a condominium association (including work in an individually owned condominium unit) you must upload:

  • Condominium association approval letter

This letter must briefly describe the work to be performed (example: interior renovations in unit 9A) and be signed by an authorized representative of the condominium association, such a property manager or officer of the association.

Project owned by a government entity

If the work to be permitted in being undertaken by or for a local, state, or federal government entity (such as Chicago Public Schools) you must upload:

  • Government ownership or funding letter

If the government entity has a permit fee waiver ordinance, include a copy of that ordinance as part of this upload.

Project receiving construction funding from a government entity

If the work to be permitted or is receiving construction funding from a government entity (such as a Small Business Improvement Fund grant) you must upload:

  • Government ownership or funding letter

The letter must be from the government entity providing the construction funding.

Required Contractors

When the scope of work is repair or alteration, with no electrical work, a licensed general contractor (any class) is required.

When the scope of work is repair or alteration, with low voltage electrical work, a licensed electrical contractor (general or low voltage) is required.

When the scope of work is repair or alteration, with line voltage electrical work, a licensed electrical contractor (general) is required.

When the scope of work is decommissioning/removal, a licensed general contractor (Class A, B, C or D) and a licensed electrical contractor (general) are both required.

Required Design Professionals

Drawings and/or calculations prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer are required if:

  • An existing installation is being altered (not repaired or decommissioned/removed)

That architect or engineer must be identified in the Additional Applicants section of the application.

Ordinances and Rules

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-4-404.6 (Electrical work)

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-12-1204.2 (Stand-alone permit fees)

2018 Chicago Electrical Code, Chapter 14E-3 (Wiring methods and materials)

2018 Chicago Electrical Code, Chapter 14E-7 (Special conditions)

2018 Chicago Electrical Code, Chapter 14E-8 (Communications systems)

Chicago Zoning Ordinance, Section 17-9-0118 (Use regulations—Wireless communication facilities)