Cook County Building Department | Permits, Inspections & Contact

Cook County’s Department of Building and Zoning is the building authority for unincorporated Cook County and the Forest Preserves of Cook County. It is not the permitting office for the City of Chicago or for incorporated suburban municipalities such as Naperville, Evanston, Schaumburg, or Oak Park. Confirm the property’s jurisdiction through Cook County’s mapping tools before applying.

Cook County building permits

Except for ordinary repairs excluded by the county code, work in unincorporated Cook County requires a permit application. The county accepts applications online through its E-Permits service and lists additional submission options through the department. Online submissions require the applicable deposit, supporting permit application, plat of survey, scope of work, contractor letters of intent, and estimated project cost.

Applicants can use the county permit-status search with the building permit application number and the property’s Property Index Number. The county says the status system is updated daily and can also be used for online permit payments after approval.

Inspections, zoning, and occupancy

Cook County Building and Zoning conducts plan review, field inspections, building-code enforcement, and certificate-of-occupancy work within its jurisdiction. The department’s zoning administration reviews permits for land and buildings and issues zoning certificates for unincorporated properties. A zoning classification search is available by PIN, and a zoning certificate may be required for a property transaction.

For business occupancy or a change in use, confirm the county’s occupancy process before opening. The department may require building permits, rough and final inspections, zoning approval, and a certificate of occupancy. Incorporated properties must use the applicable city or village process even when the mailing address says Cook County.

Official contact information

Cook County Building and Zoning is located at 69 West Washington Street, Suite 2830, Chicago, Illinois 60602. The department’s published phone number is (312) 603-0500. Use the official E-Permits, permit-status, zoning, and jurisdiction links above for the current application path.