Forms and Documents
BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION FORMS + DOCUMENTS
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Department of Buildings Forms
These forms and documents are provided to assist you with applying for a building permit in the City of Chicago.
Express Permit Program
Plan-Based Building Permits
- Building Permit Application Form (Form 400)
- Applicant Acting as General Contractor (Form 401GC)
- Applicant Acting as Mason Contractor (Form 401MC)
- Applicant Performing Plumbing Work (Form 401PC)
- Excavation Certification (Form 402)
- 2022 Energy Transformation Code Commercial Compliance Statement (Form 408C 2022)
- 2022 Energy Transformation Code Residential Compliance Statement (Form 408R 2022)
- 2019 Energy Conservation Code Commercial Compliance Statement (Form 408C 2019)
- 2019 Energy Conservation Code Residential Compliance Statement (Form 408R 2019)
- Sample Code Compliance Matrix - 2019 Chicago Construction Codes and Chicago Zoning Ordinance
Microsoft Word (.docx) | Portable document format (.pdf)
- Assisted Developer Services Intake Checklist
- Developer Services Conflict of Interest Form
- Direct Developer Services Intake Meeting Requirements
- Direct Developer Services Conflict of Interest
- Direct Developer Services Compliance Letter
- Direct Developer Services Work Area Letter
Project-Specific Approvals and Appeals
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- Item 2
- Item 3
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Specialty Permits
- You must obtain a demolition (wrecking) permit before beginning work to demolish an entire building or structure, to demolish substantially all of the above-grade portion of a building or structure, or to alter an existing building and permanently reduce its building area.
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As of August 10, 2026, new demolition permit applications must be submitted through the Inspection, Permitting & Licensing Portal.
For more information and instructions on using the new process, visit the Demolition Permit Instructions.
Demolition permit applications started under the old process (before August 6, 2026) will be allowed to continue with the old process until December 30, 2026. Any application that remains active but incomplete after this date will require starting a new application using the new process.
- Excavation Certification (Form 402)
- An elevator permit is required for the installation, renovation, repair or removal of an elevator, escalator, or other conveyance device. For more information, click here.
- Elevator/Conveyance Device Installation Permit
- Sundry Permit for Elevator/Conveyance Device Repairs
- Mechanical Amusement Riding Device Permit
- Elevator Stoppage Report
This form must be filed with the Department of Buildings within 48 hours of an elevator stoppage.
- A sign permit, issued by the Department of Buildings, is required before installing most signs or sign structures. For more information, click here.
- Online Sign Permit Application (Step 1)
- Supplemental Sign Permit Application (Step 2)
Related Forms and Regulations from Other Departments
Links in this section are provided for convenience. Please confirm with the relevant department that forms and procedures referenced in this section are current.
- Food Establishment Plan Review Regulations and Forms
- In early 2026, certain functions related to environmental permitting were transferred to the Department of Environment. Please review that section for more information.
