Building and Zoning Building Permits
Building Permit Applications
All work in unincorporated Cook County, other than ordinary repairs subject to provisions of Section 102-105.3 of the Cook County Building Code, Amendments-Adopting Ordinance, requires the submittal of a permit application. Please review permit requirements before applying.
Not sure if your project is located in unincorporated Cook County? Use the CookViewer to check.
To officially start your application, follow these steps:
- Online portal: Building and Zoning E-Permits
- Email: intake.bnz@cookcountyil.gov
- NOTE: Attachments may not exceed 25 MB.
- In person/mail to:
Cook County Building and Zoning
69 W. Washington, Suite 2830
Chicago, IL 60602
Applicants must complete:
- Full permit application
- For demolition work, use the demolition permit application. You will also need a letter of waiver or approval from the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability.
- For HVAC work, use the HVAC permit application.
- For electrical and plumbing work, you will also need to complete a supplemental permit application (see below)
- Child Support Enforcement Declaration Form (see below)
- Letter of intent from all contractors performing work on the proposed project, signed by the authorized signature of the person registered with the Cook County Department of Building and Zoning (not the City of Chicago)
- A letter of intent is a document that simply states who (company/person) is performing what (trade/s) and where (address) the work is taking place. Letters of Intent must be signed by the Authorized Registered Signatory and are usually on Contractor Company Letterhead but can be on a standard Microsoft Word document. If available. list the contractor registration number for the trade(s) being performed.
- Scope of work (Describe in detail.)
- For new construction only:
- Plat of survey signed and sealed with a current date (must be less than 5 years old)
- Site plan showing location of a proposed project on the site
- Set of architectural drawings signed and sealed by a licensed professional
- NOTE: If construction if being served by a septic field, you must have a Cook County Department of Public Health approval of the septic system at the time of submission.
NOTE: During the review process, Cook County might request additional items and documents
Supplemental permit applications
Electrical Supplemental Permit Application
An electrical permit application is required for the installation, alteration, or repair of electrical equipment subject to the provisions of the Cook County Electrical Code. View and download electrical permit application
Plumbing Supplemental Permit Application
A plumbing permit application is required for the installation, alteration, or repair of any and all plumbing fixtures and/or plumbing systems including, but not limited to, sewerage systems and water systems for buildings or premises. View and download plumbing permit application
Child Support Enforcement Declaration Form
In accordance with the Cook County Child Support Ordinance, a Child Support Enforcement Declaration Form is to be submitted by every applicant/substantial owner for a County privilege to show they are in full compliance with any child support order before they are entitled to receive or renew such privilege.
Those applying for building, plumbing and/or electrical permits for work in Cook County must submit a Child Support Enforcement Declaration Form along with their application. View and download Child Support Enforcement Declaration Form
All electronic submissions require a deposit of $100 for residential projects or $500 for non-residential projects that are payable online. Applications delivered in person shall be accompanied by a check made payable to Cook County Collector for the same deposit fee. The deposit will be deducted from the final permit fee amount.
After submitting the application, you will be notified by an email that includes a permit number. The application will be reviewed by multiple staff in the Department of Building and Zoning working in five areas: architectural, electrical, plumbing, zoning and permit control/contractor registration. During the permit review process, you may monitor the status of the permit and any review comments using your permit number.
Please wait for the Department to send you a notification asking you to address comments and deficiencies following the technical permit process. The notice will outline each department’s concerns or questions (i.e., zoning, architectural, plumbing, electrical, contractor registration). Send in your responses to permitcontrol.bnz@cookcountyil.gov It is most expeditious for permit review if the majority of deficiency items are submitted at one time rather than in a piecemeal fashion.
During the permit review process, you can monitor the status of the permit and any review comments as follows:
- Visit Building Permit Status Search. Use the Property Index Number and permit number to access your permit.
- Receive automatic notifications and updates to permit when applicants register their email. Multiple emails can be registered for each permit.
- Call the Cook County Department of Building and Zoning Automated Phone System at 312-603-0500.
If your application meets all requirements, and if any deficiencies have been resolved, your permit application will be approved and ready for issuance. An invoice for the permit fee will be posted on your online profile. The fee may be paid online, in person or by mail.
- Inspections are required during the construction process. Upon issuance of your permit, you will receive the name and phone numbers of the field inspectors and the stages of construction that must be inspected. NOTE: A full list of field inspectors is also available online.
- Two critical submissions are required during construction: a spot survey and a final grade survey. Please refer to the Engineering Advisory.