Cook County building department

The Cook County Department of Building and Zoning handles permits, plan review, inspections, certificates of occupancy, and zoning only for unincorporated Cook County and Forest Preserves of Cook County property. Chicago and the suburban cities and villages run their own building departments. Before you apply, open the County’s CookViewer map, turn on the “Unincorporated Area” layer, and confirm the parcel is under County jurisdiction. Applications filed with the wrong jurisdiction are not refunded.

Offices

Both offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

• Main office: George W. Dunne Cook County Office Building, 69 W. Washington St., Suite 2830, Chicago. Phone (312) 603-0500 (also the automated permit-status line).
• Satellite office: 5600 Old Orchard Rd., Suite 155, Skokie. Phone (847) 470-3730.

The department warns of an FBI-reported phishing scam: criminals impersonate permit officials and email applicants asking for payment. Pay only through the County’s own portal.

What needs a permit

Under Section 102-105.3 of the County Building Code, all work other than ordinary repairs in unincorporated Cook County needs a permit. The County publishes a requirements flyer for each common project type, including fences, decks, sheds and detached garages, re-roofs, windows, pools, spas, generators, solar PV, interior remodels, flatwork, and demolition.

How to apply

Submit digitally in one of these ways:

• through the Building and Zoning E-Permits portal,
• by email to [email protected] (25 MB attachment limit), or
• in person or by mail at 69 W. Washington.

A complete submittal includes:

• the full permit application, with your PIN and whether the property is on well and septic or water and sewer,
• a detailed scope of work,
• a Child Support Enforcement Declaration form,
• supplemental electrical, plumbing, or HVAC applications where they apply, and
• letters of intent from every contractor, signed by the person registered with Cook County (not the City of Chicago).

New construction also needs a sealed plat of survey less than 5 years old, a site plan, and sealed architectural drawings. Septic sites need Cook County Department of Public Health approval at submittal. Demolition needs a waiver or approval from the Department of Environment and Sustainability.

Deposit: $100 for residential or $500 for non-residential projects, credited toward the final fee. After you file, you get a permit number by email. Five review areas look at the application: architectural, electrical, plumbing, zoning, and permit control/contractor registration. Send all deficiency responses together to [email protected]. Track status and pay the final invoice on the permit-status page using your PIN and permit number.

Project rules from the County flyers

Project	Key requirements
Fence	A permit is required for any fence of any material or height. Show the fence on a sealed survey under 5 years old. Post holes are 42 in deep and the finished side faces out. In residential districts the limit is 6 ft along common lot lines and 3 ft in front and corner-side setback zones. Pool fences need self-latching gates that swing out.
Deck	Design for a 40 psf live load. Footings at least 42 in deep. Show setbacks, basement egress windows, and the ComEd service line on the survey. Encroaching into a setback may require a zoning variance.
Shed / detached garage (under 625 sq ft)	Maximum height 15 ft. Show distances to lot lines and other structures. Sheds or gazebos over 144 sq ft, and all detached garages, require electrical service from a registered electrician.
Re-roof	Specify the roofing fire class, ice-and-water shield, and venting. Replacement decking must match the existing material or better. The roofer needs an Illinois roofing license and Cook County registration. Structural changes (rafters, skylights, chimneys) need sealed drawings.

Fees

The current fee schedule took effect December 1, 2020.

Item	Fee
New construction	$73.50 minimum; $37.50 per 1,000 cu ft up to 50,000 cu ft, then $40.00 per 1,000 cu ft
Private garage or shed	$73.50 minimum
Alterations and remodeling	$73.50, plus $18.50 per $1,000 of cost over $5,000
Single-family demolition	$250
Residential engineering review	$300 ($600 in floodplain or wetlands)
Permit extension	10% of the original permit fee or $25, whichever is greater
Architectural plan re-reviews	1st free; 2nd $150; 3rd $300; 4th and later $1,000

Electrical and plumbing fees are calculated separately. The minimum electrical inspection fee is $150.

Contractor and homeowner registration

Every contractor working in unincorporated Cook County must register with the County. Registration costs $150 per trade, with a $75 annual renewal per trade due by December 31. Each registrant must carry $1,000,000 in general liability insurance with the department as certificate holder.

Trade	Requirements
Electrical	License from an Illinois municipality whose electrical commission gives an exam, plus a signed affidavit
Plumbing	Illinois Plumbing Contractor registration from IDPH and a state or Chicago plumber’s license
Roofing	Illinois roofing license
Demolition	Approved bond

Homeowners may do their own work if they live on the property and register. General-contractor registration is free for homeowners, but they pay for any other trade they perform, and they need $1,000,000 in liability coverage naming the department as additional insured. For fences, a homeowner installer must register if the fence encloses a pool or is taller than 5 ft.

Codes

On July 29, 2021, the County Board adopted the 2021 IBC, IRC, IMC, IFC, IEBC, and IECC with local amendments. They apply to drawings submitted after December 1, 2021. The 2014 Illinois Plumbing Code and the 2014 Cook County Electrical Code remain in effect, with later County amendments. The statewide Illinois Energy Conservation Code supersedes the County’s energy code.

Inspections

When the permit is issued, you receive the names and phone numbers of the assigned field inspectors and the construction stages that must be inspected. The County also posts a list of field inspectors by township. New construction requires two survey submittals during the work: a spot survey and a final grade survey.