Before You Apply

You should 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)
• Energy and water efficiency compliance form

Extension or reconfiguration of ductwork, hydronic piping, or gas piping

If the scope of work includes extension or reconfiguration of ductwork, hydronic piping, or gas piping, you must upload:

• HVAC drawing or diagram illustrating the requested scope of work

This drawing may be prepared by the contractor or any responsible person. The drawing must indicate materials, dimensions, and include other appropriate notes.

Rooftop equipment or equipment attached to a truss

If the scope of work includes installation or replacement of rooftop equipment or equipment attached to a truss, you must upload:

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

Instead of drawings, you may also provide an existing condition evaluation letter, signed and sealed by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer, stating the weight of the new equipment and confirming that the existing structure is sufficient to support it.

New air conditioning/refrigeration equipment

If the scope of work includes installation of a new (not replacement) heat pump or equipment for air conditioning serving only one residential unit or tenant space, you must upload:

• HVAC load calculation
• Site plan, drawn to scale

If the scope of work includes installation of a new (not replacement) chiller, cooling tower, or air-handling equipment serving more than one residential unit or tenant space, you must upload:

• Drawings prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer
• HVAC load calculation
• Site plan, drawn to scale

If the scope of work includes installation of a new (not replacement) refrigeration equipment to serve food cooling, you must upload:

• Drawings prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer
• Site plan, drawn to scale

The site plan may be prepared by any responsible person. It must indicate the location and dimensions of new equipment relative to the existing building and property lines. The HVAC load calculation may be prepared by any responsible person in accordance with industry standards, such as ACCA Manual J for residential load calculations.

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.

Work required to address fire damage

If work is required to address fire damage, you must have the Department of Buildings assess the scope of fire damage before you apply for a building permit. The Department’s assessment will be documented on a form called the “Tax and Demolition Form,” per the Illinois Insurance Code. You must upload:

• Tax and demolition form

Property owner as general contractor

If the property owner will be acting as general contractor, you must upload:

• Owner as contractor form (Form 401)
• Copy of government issued identification

The government issued identification must show that the property owner lives at the address where work will be performed.