Chicago Demolition Permit: Rules, Fees & Wait Times

Short Answer

Yes, contractor only

Removing a whole building, substantially all of it above grade, or a leftover foundation needs a demolition permit from the Chicago Department of Buildings. Only Chicago-licensed general contractors or licensed expediters can submit the application, and a $600 nonrefundable deposit is due before review.

Source: Chicago DOB: Demolition Permit Instructions (linked under Sources below)

Chicago Demolition Permits at a Glance

Demolition permits, last 12 months: 749
Median application to issue: 38 days
Slowest quarter took at least: 71 days
Whole-building demolitions: 586

Of the 8 cities we track for demolition, Chicago ranks 4 of 8 by median wait. The median declared job value on these permits was $20,000.

Who Can Apply and Do the Work

An owner cannot pull a Chicago demolition permit. Since August 2026, applications can only be submitted by employees of Chicago-licensed general contractors or by licensed expediters. Ordinary demolitions accept Class A, B, C or D general contractor licenses; complex ones (more than 3 stories or over 50 feet, a shared party wall, or less than 1 foot from a lot line, among other triggers) need Class A or B plus a structural condition report sealed by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer, a site safety plan and a pre-permit inspection.

What You Need Before the Permit Is Issued

A Demolition Notice of Intent approved by the Department of Environment, covering dust control and asbestos abatement.
Baiting by a licensed pest control company and a passed Streets and Sanitation rodent inspection.
A CDOT right-of-way permit, or written confirmation that one is not needed.
Sewer and water disconnection permits, or confirmation they are not needed; a licensed plumbing contractor does the water disconnection.
A hydrant use permit or another approved water source for dust control.
At least two ground-level exterior photos taken within the last 60 days, a signed owner-contractor contract and a site plan or survey.

What Else to Know in Chicago

Interior demolition, removing a garage for 5 or fewer vehicles, and removing part of a building as part of a project that keeps or enlarges its floor area can go under the building permit for that project instead. Removing something that never needed a permit to build, such as a 100 square foot shed, needs no permit at all. Removing a foundation also needs an excavation certification, with notices to neighbors at least 30 days before work.

Chicago Demolition Permit Fees

Item	Official fee
Nonrefundable deposit, due before review	$600, credited toward the final permit fee

From the official page cited in the Short Answer, checked October 30, 2026.

What Chicago's Demolition Permit Data Shows

Type of demolition	Permits	Share
Whole building	586	78%
Garage, shed or other accessory structure	137	18%
Partial demolition	26	3%

Demolition Permits Issued per Month

Chicago demolition permits issued per month, Nov 2025 to Oct 2026. Lighter bar = current month to date.

Types are classified from each permit's description. Permits whose type or description is demolition, excluding interior, selective and remodel-only work. Data from Chicago Building Permits, October 30, 2025 to October 30, 2026.

Where Demolitions Are Happening

Community area	Permits (12 mo)
Community area 6	65
Community area 24	55
Community area 7	50
Community area 5	42
Community area 49	35
Community area 22	32

Recent Demolition Permits

Issued	Work as described by the city
2026-10-28	DEMOLITION OF A 2-STORY RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY BUILDING. 2 RESIDENTIAL UNITS. 0 NON-RESIDENTIAL UNITS. INCLUDES
2026-10-27	EMERGENCY DEMOLITION OF A 2-STORY RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY BUILDING. 2 RESIDENTIAL UNITS. 0 NON-RESIDENTIAL UNITS
2026-10-27	WRECK AND REMOVE A 2 STORY FRAME RESIDENCE
2026-10-27	WRECK AND REMOVE A 2 STORY FRAME RESIDENCE AND A DETACHED FRAME GARAGE
2026-10-27	EMERGENCY WRECK AND REMOVE A 2 STORY MASONRY RESIDENCE
2026-10-27	WRECK AND REMOVE A 2 STORY MASONRY MULTI UNIT RESIDENCE

How to Get a Demolition Permit in Chicago

Check historic and landmark status first. It is the step most likely to add weeks or months.
Line up the prerequisites listed above, starting with the asbestos survey, pest control and utility disconnections.
Hire a contractor licensed for demolition where Chicago requires one, and sign a written contract.
Apply, post any required notice, and wait out the notice period before work begins.
Pass the final inspection and keep the permit with your property records, especially if you plan to rebuild.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a permit to demolish a house in Chicago?

How long does a demolition permit take in Chicago?

For the 749 demolition permits issued between October 30, 2025 and October 30, 2026 with both dates published, the median time from application to issue was 38 days, and a quarter took 71 days or longer, according to the city's open data.

How many demolition permits does Chicago issue?

749 in the 12 months to October 30, 2026. About 78% were for whole buildings, 18% for garages, sheds and other accessory structures, and 3% for partial demolitions, based on the permit descriptions.

Can I demolish my own garage in Chicago?

Removing a garage for 5 or fewer vehicles can be covered by the building permit for a related project, but a stand-alone demolition application must be submitted by a Chicago-licensed general contractor or a licensed expediter.

Written and maintained by the Home Permit Guide Editorial Team

Last updated October 30, 2026

Every rule on this page links to the official source it was checked against. Read our Editorial Policy.

Sources

Official sources checked on October 30, 2026. Rules change; confirm with the department before you start work.

Chicago DOB: Demolition Permit Instructions (chicago.gov)
Chicago Building Permits (data.cityofchicago.org)