Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF)

Permits issued by the Department of Buildings (DOB) help to ensure construction work complies with the minimum standards of safety established by the Chicago Construction Codes in order to protect public health, safety, and welfare. A permit is required before beginning most construction, demolition, and repair work.

As of January 27, 2025, the average total time for building permit issuance is 73 Days. In adherence to the conditions set forth in your grant agreement (the Conditional Award Letter [CAL]), you must produce your permit within 120 days of the issuance of your CAL. It is important for you to keep this in mind, and to account for delays, as you are planning the timeline of your project.

In DOB's Guide to Building Permits (2024) you will find information on different types of permits and a Step-by-Step Tool to walk you through the permit process for different project types.

Through the Express Permit Program, some small projects are able to apply for a building permit without submitting any drawings. Other small projects can be permitted based on documentation less than full plans.

A permit must be paid for within 120 days of the notification that it is ready for payment, and the permit becomes active once payment is received. You then have 180 days from the date of payment to "begin" work for a plan-based building permit and 365 days for a permit issued through the Express Permit Program. To obtain a permit time extension or reinstatement, email [email protected] with the original permit number and address. Describe what work has been completed under the original permit (if any) and include the date of your last inspection with a DOB inspector (if applicable).