What contractor and contact information is available in Chicago permit records?

Availability varies by the public records each jurisdiction publishes. This report shows the contractor, owner, phone, and permit fields currently available for Chicago, with source details on the linked market page.

How many code violations are open in Chicago?

This report shows 0 public Chicago violation records where that source publishes them. A public record is not a conclusion about a property's current condition or owner intent.

Can I search by contractor name or address?

You can explore permit records by the fields the relevant public source publishes, including address, permit type, date, and contractor or owner information where available.

How current is the Chicago permit data?

Municipal publication schedules vary. Verify the source and newest-record date on the linked market page rather than assuming the same freshness in every jurisdiction.

Chicago Building Permits 2026

By PermitGrab Research · Source coverage and publishing cadence vary by jurisdiction

13,643

Named contractor profiles

6,019

Profiles with a phone

Public violation records

Public owner records

Source-backed public data · View Chicago permit records →

Every building project in Chicago starts with a permit. Whether you're renovating a kitchen, adding a deck, or doing a full gut rehab, the City of Chicago Department of Buildings requires a permit before work begins. This guide covers Chicago building permits in 2026 — plus how to search contractors, check code violations, and look up property owners using real, live data.

What Work Requires a Building Permit in Chicago?

A permit is required for new construction, major repairs, alterations, additions, renovations, and demolitions. You also need permits for fences, porches, decks, garages, and exterior work on Landmark buildings. The Department of Buildings issues specialty permits for elevators, demolition, sewer connections, signs, and water service.

Work that does NOT require a permit includes minor cosmetic repairs, painting, and certain small maintenance tasks. When in doubt, contact the Department of Buildings at 312-744-3449 or [email protected].

How to Get a Building Permit in Chicago

Chicago offers two main pathways:

The Express Permit Program (EPP) is a fully web-enabled platform for most types of building repair work and small improvement projects. Qualifying projects like small rooftop solar PV systems (under 13.44kW) can get same-day approvals at reduced fees — $275 instead of $375, with the timeline cut from 30 days to one day.

For larger projects, you'll submit a plan-based building permit application through the city's Inspection, Permitting & Licensing Portal. You'll need architectural plans, details of the work, and the estimated project cost. The property owner must sign the application, though they can authorize a contractor or architect to submit it.

How Many Contractors Are Pulling Permits in Chicago Right Now?

Chicago is one of the most active construction markets in the country. PermitGrab tracks 13,643 active contractors pulling permits in Chicago from official public records; the city page shows the current source date and available fields.

Of those, 6,019 have direct phone numbers in our database, sourced from state license records and business registrations. If you're a building materials supplier, subcontractor, or home service company trying to connect with active contractors, this is the most current dataset available.

Permits Filed in the Last 90 Days

8,608 building permits have been filed in Chicago in the last 90 days. Top permit types:

Permit Type	Count
PERMIT – EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM	5,643
PERMIT - RENOVATION/ALTERATION	1,364
PERMIT - NEW CONSTRUCTION	506
PERMIT - SIGNS	464
PERMIT - ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT	280
PERMIT - WRECKING/DEMOLITION	234
PERMIT - REINSTATE REVOKED PMT	117

Most Active Contractors

These contractors have pulled the most permits in the last 6 months:

Contractor	Permits
SUNRUN INSTALLATION SERVICES	547
SUNRUN INSTALLATION SERVICES INC	351
PEERLESS ENTERPRISES LLC	149
FRACKIEL BUILDERS, INCORPORATED	146
ALVAREZ ELECTRICAL TECH	105
CERTIFIED ELECTRIC LLC	101
GARAGE 2017 LLC DBA DANLEY'S GARAGE WORLD	89
MARON ELECTRIC COMPANY	81
CURRENT COMMUNICATIONS CORP.	79
CHAVEZ ELECTRIC	77
CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC	68
A.B.C. PLUMBING, HEATING, COOLING & ELECTRIC, INC.	67
LOMBARDI ELECTRIC, INC.	67
OTIS ELEVATOR - CHICAGO	67
SIEMENS INDUSTRY INC	66

Phone numbers available for 6,019 contractors. View the full database →

Chicago Code Violations

The City of Chicago actively enforces building code compliance. PermitGrab tracks 0 Chicago code violations on record. Each one represents a property where work needs to be done.

For contractors, this is a built-in lead list — properties that legally must be repaired. For real estate investors, an active violation is a public enforcement record on a property — what was cited and when. It is not a statement about the owner's finances or intent.

Search Chicago violations by address →

Chicago Property Owner Data

We've matched 0 property owners to addresses in our Chicago database. When a permit is filed or a violation is issued, you can see who owns the property — including their mailing address from Cook County records.

Solar Permits in Chicago

Chicago's Easy Permit Process makes solar relatively straightforward. Small rooftop PV systems under 13.44kW qualify for expedited review — same-day approval at $275. You'll need a licensed electrical contractor with an Illinois Commerce Commission Distributed Generation Installer Certification. Structural drawings must be prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer.

Important for 2026: the federal 30% residential solar tax credit was terminated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed July 4, 2025. New installations completed in 2026 and beyond are no longer eligible. The Cook County Sun and Save program is still available through August 31, 2026, offering bulk-purchase discounts for single-family and small multi-family residences.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often is the data updated?

Our system pulls new permit data every day from official city records. The most recent permit in our database was filed on recently.

Where does the data come from?

All data comes from official Chicago open data portals — the same records available at city hall, organized and searchable.

Can I search by contractor name?

Yes. Search by contractor name, property address, permit type, or date range on the Chicago permits page.

Check market coverage before starting a trial

Source coverage and publishing cadence vary by jurisdiction. Explore available permit, contractor, owner, and violation fields by market. Review disclosed record dates, then choose your research settings before the optional checkout step.

Check markets and choose a workflow → Browse Chicago permits →