Building Permits in Chicago, Illinois
6,640 recent building permits filed in Chicago. Updated daily from public records.
6,640 permits
Self-cert chicago 2019 cbrc. interior demolition of existing residential unit 6403-6404, including electrical, mechanical and plumbing. no structural work associated.
Fire alarm: modification of existing system. associated building permit:101076942. affects: 0 dwelling units; 1 non-residential units. high-rise building: yes. voice communication: yes. special lockin...
Full rebuild (same as existing) for wood porch (open) (quantity: 1, location: rear of building).
Fire alarm: repair existing system. affects: 0 dwelling units; 1 non-residential units. high-rise building: yes. voice communication: yes. special locking: yes. monitoring type: supervising station ....
Tuckpointing and unit masonry repair / replacement: 1250 sq. ft., lintel qty. 1, max. length 3. location: interior basement brick walls/ basementdoor lintel.
Non-lit double-sided blade sign on north elevation
Spr 2019 cbrc replace mechanical system to the existing 2- story w basement single family residence with no change in use as per plans. (no plumbing work under this permit.)
Sc 2019 cbrc: interior remodel of kitchen, bathroom & powder room within condo unit 21a in existing multi-story multi unit residential building. no change to demising walls or common areas. (occupancy...
Self cert: the whitehall paris baguette bakery interior build out from existing hotel support service space with associated architecture, electrical, mechanical and plumbing work.
Self cert 2022 cbc new rear addition, new second floor addition and interior alterations to an existing single family residence.
2019 cbrc spr. new front wood steps & landing (same size, same location as existing). existing roof to remain. for existing brick & frame 2 story frame single family residence with basement (constrict...
Installing outdoor pole sign
Installing outdoor cabinet sign on pole
Spr 2019 cbrc: interior kitchen and bathroom renovation, no change to existing occupancy, exiting or square footage (occupancy: r-5; const. type: va)
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 200 amp service disconnecting means with 28 circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 1. specific location: electrical.
Line voltage electrical work. repair or alter devices on existing circuits. receptacle outlets: 64 . lighting outlets: 0. specific location: 26th floor.
Line voltage electrical work. new permanent 200 amp service disconnecting means with 28 circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 1. specific location: electrical.
Repair of existing communication equipment. location: 6th floor office spaces for av install of displays.
Line voltage electrical work. repair or alter devices on existing circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 1. specific location: existing 1-story building..
Spr 2019 cbrc: repairs to the 2nd and 3rd floor existing bay windows on the east facade of the existing 3-story mix-use building and replacement of additional (6) windows, same size and same location...
Chicago has 2,548 new permits filed in the last 30 days, with a total of 6,576 permits currently on file. Electrical work dominates the activity, accounting for 1,997 permits, followed by other work types (1,706 permits), roofing (910 permits), and renovation projects (867 permits). Plumbing rounds out the major categories at 350 permits. This volume represents real opportunity for contractors who monitor filings closely. The most active areas for construction are concentrated in five zip codes. The Loop and nearby downtown areas (60606) lead with 175 permits on file, followed by Lincoln Park (60618) with 165 permits, Gold Coast (60611) with 147 permits, and Lakeview (60614) and West Loop (60647) each with 135 permits. These neighborhoods consistently show strong construction activity and should be priority monitoring zones for your business development efforts. For contractors bidding on Chicago work, the average permit value is $766,672. This figure helps you estimate project sizes and prioritize which filings warrant your bid submission. Electrical contractors have the largest permit pool to work from, but roofing and renovation work also represent substantial opportunities. Knowing these numbers puts you ahead of competitors who rely on luck rather than data. DigPermit updates Chicago permit data daily from official public records. Getting accurate, current permit information matters when you're competing for jobs. The contractors winning the best work are the ones who see new filings before their competitors do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I find new construction leads in Chicago?
Monitor building permits filed with the City of Chicago daily. New permits represent confirmed projects before general contractors start bidding them out. By tracking filings in your trade (electrical, roofing, plumbing, etc.) and in your target zip codes, you'll identify leads before most of your competition. Permit data shows the property address, owner, project scope, and estimated cost, giving you the information needed to contact the right decision-makers quickly.
What are the most common permit types in Chicago?
Electrical permits dominate with 1,997 filings on record, making up the largest category for contractors in that trade. Other work types account for 1,706 permits, roofing for 910 permits, renovation for 867 permits, and plumbing for 350 permits. If you're an electrical contractor, you have the deepest pool of potential jobs. Roofers and renovation specialists also have solid numbers to work from. Even plumbers have steady opportunity with 350 active permits.
Which zip codes in Chicago have the most building permits?
The Loop (60606) leads all neighborhoods with 175 permits on file. Lincoln Park (60618) follows with 165 permits. Gold Coast (60611) has 147 permits, while Lakeview (60614) and West Loop (60647) each have 135 permits. These five neighborhoods represent concentrated construction activity and are worth dedicating resources to monitor. Properties in these areas tend to be higher-value projects, which aligns with the average permit value across the city.
What is the average building permit value in Chicago?
Chicago permits average $766,672 in project value. This is a substantial figure that tells you the work being permitted here is significant enough to justify your bid preparation costs. You're not dealing with small residential repairs. These are meaningful projects where winning the bid creates real revenue for your company. Use this number to help prioritize which permits warrant your time and resources to pursue.
How often is Chicago permit data updated?
Chicago permit data is updated daily from public records. This means new filings appear in the system within one business day of submission to the city. For contractors, this frequency matters. You can check for new permits in your trade and target areas every morning and stay ahead of the curve. Daily updates ensure you're working with current information rather than data that's weeks old.