Chicago Express Permit Program Explained

Projects That Qualify

Reroofing

Roof repair, recovering and replacement without structural changes. An Illinois-licensed roofing contractor is required.

Mechanical (HVAC)

Replacement of residential heating and cooling equipment and new single-unit heat pumps or air conditioners, with HVAC load calculations.

Fences

Back-yard fences up to 6 ft; front-yard fences up to 4.5 ft, or 6 ft if at least 80% open. Fences up to 5 ft that meet zoning need no permit.

Porches and Decks

Repair and in-kind replacement of porches, decks and balconies within program limits.

Small Solar

Systems up to 13.44 kW inverter output, with drawings by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer.

Every Project Type in Chicago

These summaries come from the same official sources as our city pages and were last checked October 30, 2026. Permit counts are the city's own open-data records for the last 12 months.

Roofing: Usually Yes

Roof repair (up to 25% of the roof), re-covering over one existing layer and replacement without structural work all go through Chicago's Express Permit Program, and the work must be done by an Illinois-licensed roofing contractor.

• Roof repair, recover and replacement without structural changes are eligible for an Express Permit.
• An Illinois-licensed roofing contractor must be named on the permit.
• Chicago charges roof work per area of up to 5,000 sq ft (see the fee table).
• Official fees: Roof recover (no tear-off) or roof repair: $185 per area up to 5,000 sq ft; Roof replacement: $475 per area up to 5,000 sq ft.
• Chicago issued 2,791 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 2 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB Express Permit Program: Reroofing

HVAC: Yes

Replacing residential heating or cooling equipment, and installing a new single-unit heat pump or air conditioner, is done with an Express Permit. HVAC load calculations must be submitted, and rooftop or truss-mounted equipment needs a structural evaluation.

• HVAC replacement in homes is eligible for the Express Permit Program.
• Load calculations are required with the application.
• Equipment on a roof or hung from trusses needs a structural evaluation.
• Chicago issued 401 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 37 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB Express Permit Program: Mechanical (HVAC) Work

Solar Panel: Yes

New small rooftop solar systems up to 13.44 kW inverter output can use Chicago's Express Permit Program, with drawings and calculations from an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. Larger systems, roofs over 40 feet and some ballasted systems need a standard permit.

• Express Permit limit: 13.44 kW inverter output.
• Drawings and calculations by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer are required.
• Associated battery storage is generally limited to 20 kWh under the Express route.
• Chicago issued 1,615 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 10 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB Express Permit Program: Small-Scale Solar PV System · Full details: Chicago Solar Panel Permits

Fence: Sometimes

No building permit is needed for a fence no more than 5 feet high (measured on both sides) that meets the Chicago Zoning Ordinance. Taller fences use the Express Permit Program; front-yard fences are limited to 4.5 feet, or 6 feet if at least 80% open, and anything over 6 feet needs zoning approval.

• Exempt: fences up to 5 ft that conform to zoning.
• Express Permit: back-yard fences up to 6 ft; front-yard fences up to 4.5 ft, or 6 ft if 80% open.
• Masonry fences need drawings by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer.
• Chicago issued 1,209 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 2 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB: Fences (work not requiring a permit) · Full details: Chicago Fence Permits

Deck: Usually Yes

A permit is needed for most porch and deck work. The exceptions are in-kind replacement of non-structural parts (deck boards, treads, pickets) and in-kind repair or replacement of a whole porch, deck or stair system no more than 6 feet above ground with a landing of 50 sq ft or less.

• Exempt: in-kind replacement of deck boards, stair treads or railing pickets (if no violation has been issued).
• Exempt: in-kind rebuild of a porch or deck up to 6 ft high with a landing of 50 sq ft or less.
• New decks, size or layout changes and enclosed porches need a plan-based permit.
• Chicago issued 1,350 matching permits in the last 12 months, with a median of 13 days from application to issue.

Source: Chicago DOB: Porches, Decks and Balconies (work not requiring a permit)

2026 Roof Permit Fees

Chicago's 2026 fee tables charge $185 per area of up to 5,000 sq ft for roof recover or repair, and $475 per area of up to 5,000 sq ft for roof replacement. The city has published a new table taking effect January 1, 2027, so check the current table before you budget.

Chicago Permit Pages

For live counts and recent permits, see Chicago Roofing Permits, Chicago HVAC Permits and Chicago Deck Permits, or start at Chicago Building Permits.

When a Project Falls Outside the Program

Express Permits are for routine work within the program's limits. Structural changes, new porches rather than in-kind repair, larger solar systems or work outside the listed scopes go through Chicago's standard permit process with plan review, which takes longer. Chicago's own permit records also show permits issued to legalize unpermitted work; see What Happens If You Build Without a Permit? for why it pays to get the permit first.

Who Issues Permits in Chicago

Residential permits in Chicago are issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings. Its website has the current application portal, fee schedule and inspection scheduling. Issued permits are published as open data in Chicago Building Permits, which is the source of the permit counts and recent permits shown on our Chicago pages. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the department before you start work.

Frequently Asked Questions