A building permit is not required for the following types of work: Painting, wallpapering, tiling, carpeting, installing cabinets or countertops, or performing similar finish work, without plumbing or electrical connections.
A permit is required before beginning most construction, demolition, and repair work. In order to provide more responsive service, the Department of Buildings offers permitting processes tailored for a wide variety of projects, from home repairs to new skyscrapers.
Certificate of occupancy, required. Mixed occupancy buildings consisting of three or more dwelling units or 10,000 square feet or more floor area.
A Certificate of Occupancy is issued by the Department of Buildings to certify that residential buildings with 4 or more units and larger non-residential buildings conform to the requirements of the Chicago Building Code.
One crucial step that you should always consider in any construction project is obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO is a legal document issued by the local government agency that certifies that a building complies with all regulations, safety codes and zoning requirements.