The city of Chicago was notorious for its slow review times. It took about 70 days for your permit to be reviewed and approved. Getting permits was a hassle for the residents of Chicago as it delayed construction and renovation work. Now the situation has changed. The Express Permit Program was launched in November 2023 and expanded in September 2024. In this article, we’ll talk about the differences between the “Old Chicago Easy Permit Program" and the “Express Permit Program.” With the new program, you can request permits easily to construct/renovate your house without delay. As of today, 66% of permits are issued with the Express Permit Program.
It’s a quick online option to get a building permit for the repair and replacement of an existing building feature or system. Homeowners, tenants, contractors, and building owners can use the Express Permit Program in Chicago.
You need a building permit for construction, alteration, or demolition of a structure. Even small improvement projects require compliance with local codes, and you might need a building permit. The Express Permit streamlines the entire process both for major and minor repairs.
The old easy permit program was serviceable but far from efficient. Applicants had to deal with heavy paperwork, in-person visits, and delays caused by manual approvals. The interlinked application system was challenging to navigate. It was time-consuming, and tracking was difficult. The Express Permit Program solves this problem by introducing a simple, fast, and efficient process. The new Express Permit Program in Chicago has moved everything online, reduced turnaround times, and created a transparent process.
If you’re renovating more than one unit, you will need a licensed architect. The Express Permit Program now allows for faster approval, which means you can get building permits quickly even if you’re renovating multiple units at once.
Electrical work and maintenance is also now a part of the Express Permit Program, which is great as most renovations involve electrical work.
You don’t need to file a permit application for all renovation-related tasks. Examples include painting, carpeting, and all finishing tasks that don’t alter plumbing or electrical connections. You can remove 1000 square feet of drywall and plaster as long as it doesn’t interfere with mechanical, electrical, or plumbing connections. You can remove, replace, or change counters, shelves, and movable fixtures with less than 7 feet of height. You can find a detailed list here. The rule is you don’t require a building permit if your work doesn’t interfere with the property structure and associated systems (like plumbing or electrical connections).
Timelines vary based on the complexity of the project.
With the new system, applicants can expect faster turnaround times compared to the old Easy Permit Program.
For applications, the review fee is $25. You need to submit a separate application for each type of project you want to undertake.
You or your contractor can submit the application. Your contractor will receive an email from the EPP system. The contractor must accept the project before the permit will be issued.
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Express Permit Program launched in November 2023 and expanded in September 2024 |
Easy Permit Program introduced in 2018 |
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Completely online application |
Included paperwork. |
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Streamlined process for small, simple home building and improvement projects without architectural plans. |
Streamlined process for small, simple home building and improvement projects without architectural plans. |
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You need to create an individual account. |
Both company and individual accounts were allowed. There was confusion about whether the account was linked to a company or an individual. |
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No need to inform the contractor if you have included the licensed contractor information in your application. The contractor will receive an automatic email to accept. |
The contractor had to be informed separately. |
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One permit is issued per application. |
Multiple permits rolled into one application. |
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Inspection results are online. |
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26+ project types are eligible for the express permit program. |
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A simplified web portal where you can see all the information regarding project type, eligibility criteria, checklist, and rules. |
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$25 review fee per application |
If your project is too complex or extensive to qualify for the Express Permit Program, you will need to go through the Standard Building Permit Process. Here’s what that means:
Full Plan Review Required
Your plans must be submitted to the Department of Buildings (DOB) for a detailed review. Depending on the project, other city departments (zoning, fire, health, etc.) may also need to review and approve your plans.
You can receive EPP approval within a few days. Standard permits involve complex work. You might wait for a couple of weeks or months before the permit is issued. You will need to resubmit your plan if the department requires corrections. That might reset the approval timeline.
However, there is a way to bypass the lengthy standard plan review if you are working with a self-certified architect.
A self-certified plan brings ease to the standard review process. Licensed architects and structural engineers can bypass the standard city plan review. They will review your plan to ensure it meets the requirements of the Chicago Building Code. The licensed architect or engineer will take responsibility that your plan complies with the construction code. A self-certified plan speeds up the approval process. You can receive your permit within 10 days, which is quick compared to weeks or months in the standard plan review.
Projects eligible for self-certification include
The new Express Permit Program is suitable for most renovation projects that don’t require architectural plans. You can expect fast turnaround times. Your contractor can accept the project, and the permit is issued online. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out or comment below.
If you're planning a renovation project or considering your options, reach out to us for a consultation. Together, we can turn your vision into reality with confidence and expertise.
*This article is for educational purposes only. It’s not legal advice.