Note: Please see this page for information on changes made in September 2024.

This dataset includes information about building permits issued by the City of Chicago from 2006 to the present, excluding permits that have been voided or revoked after issuance. Most types of permits are issued subject to payment of the applicable permit fee. Work under a permit may not begin until the applicable permit fee is paid.

For more information about building permits, see http://www.chicago.gov/permit.

Applications to the Chicago Department of Transportation for permits under its jurisdiction where the work type is "Filming." These permits typically are permits to block or otherwise affect public streets in some way. Because all permits start as applications, this dataset also serves as a list of permits granted. See more information about CDOT permits at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/construction_information/svcs/online-permit-portal.html.

As described in http://bit.ly/cdotpermitspost, the function of this dataset was replaced by https://data.cityofchicago.org/d/pubx-yq2d on 12/7/2015. This dataset is historical-only.

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) reviews applications for permits for the temporary use of the public way for construction projects, parades, festivals, block parties, athletic events, etc.This dataset includes permits applied for, issued, amended and expired with permit start dates beginning January 1, 2011. Note a permit may be amended if any details are changed after the initial issuance. For more information about Public Right-of-Way Use Permits, go to http://bit.ly/15ypkkL.

Moratoriums are established by the Department of Transportation as a method of protecting reconstructed or repaved roadways within the boundaries of the city.

By having access to this Moratorium list in advance, contractors or utilities with projects that require excavation of roadways can more effectively plan and review conflicts that will be encountered. Currently, roadway sections with active moratoriums have special consideration as to method and size of restoration, and additionally, increased permit fees. Three moratorium types are displayed on this web site: (1) Street Construction is used when the street has been reconstructed. By City ordinance, the moratorium is ten (10) years and during this period permit fees are doubled. (2) Street Resurfacing is used when the road has been repaved. By City ordinance, the moratorium is seven (7) years and during this period permit fees are doubled. (3) Median or Median Landscaping is used where landscaped medians or planters exist on the street median. For these moratoriums types, there is no fee adjustment; however, if a construction permit is being requested, the applicant will be directed to review the planned project with the Department of Transportation/Division of Engineering staff for special instructions on how to properly protect or reconstruct street medians.

This Chicago Park District dataset includes information about event permits requested through the Chicago Park District, including the name of applicant, the name of the event and a brief description, contact information, time of event including set-up and tear-down times, the name of the Park and location, and estimated number of event attendees. Additional information may be included depending on the type of the event, including proof of insurance, route maps for all races and runs, security plans and medical services and required city documents. Permit levels issued by the Department of Revenue include picnic levels, athletic levels, corporate levels, media levels, promotions levels, and festivals/performances levels. For more information, visit http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/permits-and-rentals/.

Applications to the Chicago Department of Transportation for permits under its jurisdiction, which typically are permits to block or otherwise affect public streets in some way. Because all permits start as applications, this dataset also serves as a list of permits granted. See more information about CDOT permits at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/construction_information/svcs/online-permit-portal.html.

Records involving any degree of street closure from the underlying dataset: Applications to the Chicago Department of Transportation for permits under its jurisdiction, which typically are permits to block or otherwise affect public streets in some way. Because all permits start as applications, this dataset also serves as a list of permits granted. See more information about CDOT permits at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/construction_information/svcs/online-permit-portal.html.

Applications to the Chicago Department of Transportation for permits under its jurisdiction where the work type is "Filming." These permits typically are permits to block or otherwise affect public streets in some way. Because all permits start as applications, this dataset also serves as a list of permits granted. See more information about CDOT permits at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/construction_information/svcs/online-permit-portal.html.

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) reviews applications for permits for the temporary use of the public way for construction projects, parades, festivals, block parties, athletic events, etc.This dataset includes permits applied for, issued, amended and expired with permit start dates beginning January 1, 2011. Note a permit may be amended if any details are changed after the initial issuance. For more information about Public Right-of-Way Use Permits, go to http://bit.ly/15ypkkL.

This filtered view contains applications for preapprovals for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) that have been successfully processed and have an "Issued" status.

See the full dataset for all applications and more information about the ADU program.

Unexpired applications to the Chicago Department of Transportation for permits under its jurisdiction, which typically are permits to block or otherwise affect public streets in some way. Because all permits start as applications, this dataset also serves as a list of permits granted. See more information about CDOT permits at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/construction_information/svcs/online-permit-portal.html.

Applications for preapprovals for Additional Dwelling Units (ADUs) received by the Department of Housing pursuant to the December 2020 ADU Ordinance. After issuance of an ADU preapproval, the owner must obtain a building permit from the Department of Buildings before constructing an ADU.

For a map of the eligible areas, please see https://data.cityofchicago.org/d/n8dk-kjjn.

For more information about ADUs in Chicago, visit http://www.chicago.gov/ADU.

Unexpired applications to the Chicago Department of Transportation for permits under its jurisdiction, which typically are permits to block or otherwise affect public streets in some way. Because all permits start as applications, this dataset also serves as a list of permits granted. See more information about CDOT permits at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/construction_information/svcs/online-permit-portal.html.

Count of applications by Community Area

This dataset includes applications for use of Daley Center Plaza, starting in 2012. The data includes the name of the requesting organization, the date each permit was requested and its status. A copy of the Regulations and Procedures for the Daley Plaza can be downloaded at: http://www.pbcchicago.com/content/contact/location_map.asp.

Map of areas eligible for Additional Dwelling Unit permits.

The Developer Services Review Program is designed to meet the special needs of owners, developers, architects and contractors working on moderately- to highly-complex construction or renovation projects. Eligible projects include high-rise buildings, mercantile buildings with more than 150,000 square feet, other occupancies with more than 80,000 square feet, buildings with foundations deeper than 12 feet, and residential projects that contain more than 25 units. This metric tracks the average number of days DOB takes to process individual Developer Services Permits, grouped by the week the permit was processed. The target average process time is within 89 days. Click here for more information about DOB’s Developer Services Program.

As part of the City’s sustainability program, the Department of Buildings (DOB) offers expedited permitting for residential, commercial and industrial building projects that meet certain criteria. In addition to fast-tracking, projects achieving exceptional sustainability may be eligible for a fee waiver up to $25,000. Projects that include green technologies (green roofs, rainwater harvesting, solar panels, solar thermal panels, wind turbine and geothermal systems) are required to be submitted through the Green Permit Program. This metric tracks the average number of days DOB takes to process individual Green Permits, grouped by the week the permit was processed. The target average process time is within 71 days.

The Department of Building (DOB) issues building permits to give individuals, insurance companies, neighbors and the City assurance that specific minimum standards are met in constructing, repairing or altering buildings by complying with the Chicago Building Code. This metric tracks the average number of days DOB takes to process Standard Plan Review Program building permits, grouped by the week the permit was processed. The target process time is within 53 days. The Standard Plan Review Program is designed for small to mid-sized construction or renovation projects requiring drawings. Eligible projects include buildings up to 80 feet high, institutional or mercantile properties under 100,000 square feet, residential properties of up to 12 units, and foundations no deeper than 12 feet. For more information, go to http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/overview_of_the_standardplanreviewpermitprogram.html.

Applications to the Chicago Department of Transportation for permits under its jurisdiction, which typically are permits to block or otherwise affect public streets in some way. Because all permits start as applications, this dataset also serves as a list of permits granted. See more information about CDOT permits at http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/construction_information/svcs/online-permit-portal.html.

The Easy Permit Process allows home and building owners to obtain a permit to repair or replace the same or existing elements of a building, without making any changes to the structure of the building. Eligible projects include repairing or replacing drywall, flooring, fences, sheds or garages. This metric tracks the average number of days DOB takes to process individual Easy Permits, grouped by the week the permit was processed. The target process time is within 1.3 days. For more information about the Easy Permitting process, go to http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bldgs/provdrs/permit_proc.html.

Customers applying for a Building permit will create a web-based on-line Building permit application. As part of an initial review within the Building permit process, the zoning plan examination will be conducted to ensure compliance with the City of Chicago’s Zoning Ordinance which regulates land use. The applicant is able to schedule and be seen by a zoning plan examiner on average within two (2) business days from the date of the on-line application. An applicant may receive zoning approval within the first scheduled appointment if they have followed the instructions and do not require administrative relief for their project. If administrative relief or corrections are required, the applicant can re-submit the application for immediate review and approval upon completion of the corrections or administrative process. An applicant typically requires two plan review visits before the Department of Housing and Economic Development is able to approve the zoning part of the building permit.

Read about changes to the Building Permits dataset.

With a goal of reviewing landmark permits in one-day, the department strives to meet this goal no less than 95% of the time.
The Historic Preservation Division staffs the Commission on Chicago Landmarks and reviews all permit applications for work involving designated and proposed Chicago landmarks and landmark districts.

Areas eligible for Additional Dwelling Unit permits. Ordinance O2020-2850, passed in December 2020, creates five pilot area zones within which property owners can apply for additional dwelling units under the ADU program.

For more information about ADUs in Chicago, visit http://www.chicago.gov/ADU.

​​​​​This dataset is in a forma​​t for spatial datasets that is inherently tabular but allows for a map as a derived view. Please click the indicated link below for such a map.

To export the data in either tabular or geographic format, please use the Export button on this dataset.