Building and Zoning

Warning:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is warning the public about an emerging phishing scheme by criminals impersonating city and county officials to solicit fraudulent payments for city and county planning and zoning permits. The criminals leverage publicly available permit information to identify potential victims and increase the legitimacy of the scam. Victims of this scam have been identified nationwide.

Please see the Public Service Announcement from the FBI regarding scam emails to individuals and businesses with active applications for land-use/zoning permits at https://www.ic3.gov/PSA/2026/PSA260309.

If you or someone you know has fallen victim to this impersonation scam, file a complaint with the IC3 at www.ic3.gov.

Mission

The Department of Building and Zoning's mission is to promote the health, safety and welfare of all constituents throughout unincorporated Cook County. In order to perform its mission, the Department conducts plan reviews and responsible, timely inspections of buildings and properties, as well as enforces all applicable building codes and zoning ordinances.

The Department's work involves reviewing plans and issuing permits for new structures and renovations and additions to existing ones, inspecting properties to ensure code compliance, issuing certificates of occupancy, and certifying the zoning requirements for properties in its jurisdiction, among other tasks.

The Department oversees all building and zoning matters in the unincorporated areas of Cook County and all of the Forest Preserves of Cook County. Inquiries regarding permits, zoning certificates and other matters for properties located in incorporated jurisdictions (municipalities) should contact the applicable local building and zoning authority.

I want to:

• Establish or renew contractor registration
• Apply for a building permit
• Find out about permit requirements
• Apply for a business certificate of occupancy
• Register a multi-unit dwelling or residential rental building
• Respond to a violation on my property
• Find the jurisdiction of my property
• Find the zoning district of my property