If you're planning construction or renovations in Cook County, Illinois, knowing what requires a building permit and how to apply can save you time, money, and headaches. This guide breaks down the Cook County building permit process, costs, trade permits, and timelines.
For projects outside Chicago city limits but still within county jurisdiction, this also applies to unincorporated Cook County permits.
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What requires a building permit in Cook County?
The Cook County Building Department requires a building permit for most structural, electrical, mechanical, and plumbing work. That includes:
- Any work other than “ordinary repairs.” New construction, additions, alterations, relocation/move, and demolition all require a permit
- Electrical work (installation, alteration, or repair)
- Plumbing work (installation, alteration, or repair of plumbing, sewer, water, septic, wells, lawn sprinkler, or gas piping)
- Demolition
The County also issues permits online for specific scopes like decks, driveways, fences, flatwork, generators, masonry walls, pools, reroofs, sheds/detached garages, signs, sump pumps, tents, and window replacements.
What doesn’t require a building permit in Cook County?
Cook County’s adopting ordinance lists work that is permit-exempt (zoning, floodplain, or other agency approvals may still apply):
- Ordinary repairs that don’t cut or remove structural members; don’t change required exits, light/ventilation, fire-resistance, room sizes; don’t increase height/area/capacity; and don’t alter electrical wiring/equipment (beyond ordinary repairs to portable lamps/appliances)
- Sidewalks <30 in above adjacent grade, not over a story/basement, and not part of an accessible route
- Finish work: painting, papering, tiling, carpeting, cabinets, countertops, and similar finish items (still must meet fire-safety rules)
- Play equipment accessory to single-family dwellings (swings, swing sets, etc.)
- Prefabricated above-ground pools <24 in deep at single-family homes
- Small storage containers <81 sq ft (prefab)
- Non-fixed/movable fixtures, cases, racks, counters, and partitions
- Residential exterior siding
Cook County building permit cost
Permit fees in Cook County vary based on project valuation, type, and scope. Here’s a general breakdown:
Residential fees
Commercial fees
To get more information on a specific type of commercial or residential project, refer to the fee schedule.
How long do building permits last in Cook County?
Cook County building permits are valid for 12 months (1 year) from the date they're issued. You must complete your work within this timeframe, or the permit expires.
- Extensions:
You can request one six-month extension if you need more time. The extension costs 10% of your original permit fee or $25, whichever amount is higher. You must apply for this extension within 10 days after your original permit expires. The Building Commissioner decides whether to approve extensions. - Maximum time allowed:
Even with an extension, you have a maximum of 18 months total from your original permit date to finish the work. After that, all rights under the permit end. - Abandoned work:
If you start work but then abandon it for 12 months, consecutive or total (even if not consecutive), your permit automatically terminates and you lose all rights under it.
Cook County trade permits
Plumbing permits
Plumbing permits are required for any installation, alteration, or extension of plumbing systems.
Electrical permits
Electrical permits are required for new wiring, service upgrades, and alterations to electrical systems.
Multifamily / Commercial / Industrial:
Special permits
Roofing, fencing, and other special work types may require separate permits depending on project scope.
You can find more about other trade permits on the fee schedule.
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How to get a building permit in Cook County
Step 1: Prepare your plans and documents
First, confirm your jurisdiction. If the property is inside a municipality (e.g., City of Chicago or a suburb), you must use that city/village’s permit process. County permits apply only to unincorporated Cook County. Use CookViewer to check before you do anything.
If your site is unincorporated, gather what the County intake actually checks:
- Use the County’s permit pages & flyers. Open Building Permits to download the Cook County building permit application and the project-specific requirement flyers (e.g., interior remodel, re-roof, flatwork). These are the checklists reviewers use:
- Contractor registration. Contractors (or owner-builders) must be registered with Building & Zoning; the County’s handout shows registration happens before permit issuance.
- Plan set basics & quality. Follow the County’s Permit Tips & Submittal Requirements (title sheet info, digital format, outside approvals like health/fire/public works when applicable).
Step 2: Submit your application online
To submit your application, you can use one of two ways:
- Go digital. Cook County requires digital submittals for 14 types of permits and supporting documents. Have PDFs ready (drawings, surveys, letters, etc.). Minimum e-permit requirements:
- Permit application
- Plat of survey
- Scope of Work
- Letter/s of Intent from Contractor/s
- Deposit of $100 for residential and $500 for non-residential
- Include the estimated cost of work on the application (use the Fee Schedule)
- Submit via email. Complete the building permit application, scan all surveys, drawings, letters, outside approvals, contracts, and brochures into a single PDF, and email them to intake.bnz@cookcountyil.gov.
Step 3: Plan review
After intake, your record is routed to the disciplines your scope triggers. At this stage, you receive the 6-digit permit review number, which you can use to check your Cook County permit status. You’ll also need a Property Index Number.
Note: All additional documents or plan revisions go to permitcontrol.bnz@cookcountyil.gov. Never send revisions to the individual reviewers unless asked to do so.
Step 4: Pay final fees and receive your permit
When reviews are approved, issuance is straightforward. Pay final fees from the invoice and download/receive your permit card electronically. Post it on the site before work starts.
Step 5: Begin work and schedule inspections
Inspections track the work shown on your approved plans. Schedule inspections as the work progresses (e.g., foundations, framing, MEP rough-ins, finals) per the instructions you’ll receive with the issued permit. To do this, call the Building Zoning Automated Phone System at 312-603-0500.
Cook County permitting resources
- Cook County Department of Building and Zoning:
- Address: 69 West Washington Street, Chicago, IL 60602
- Phone: 312-603-0500
- Fax: 312-603-9940
- Email: info.bnz@cookcountyil.gov
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Satellite Office:
- Address: 5600 Old Orchard Road, Suite 155, Skokie, IL 60077
- Phone: 847-470-3730
- Email: info.bnz@cookcountyil.gov
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
- Cook County permit status
- CookViewer
- Fee schedule
- Building and zoning building permits
- Building and zoning E-permits
- Building and zoning fees
- Building and zoning contractor registration
- Building and zoning building permit requirements
- Permit tips and submission requirements
- Cook County’s ordinance
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