What does a building permit cost in Chicago?
Updated November 11, 2026 · Built from official fee schedules and city permit records
Chicago is one of the few cities that publishes the fee on every permit, so this guide shows what people really paid. Most permits are small Express Permits that cost a few hundred dollars; new homes cost several thousand.
Fees paid by project type
| Project | Permits | Median fee | Middle half | Median wait |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New house | 292 | $4,091 | $3,025 to $5,003 | 66 days |
| Remodel or addition | 2,152 | $975 | $677 to $2,400 | 81 days |
| Detached garage | 877 | $550 | $550 to $675 | 4 days |
| Re-roof | 1,305 | $450 | $450 to $475 | 1 day |
| Deck or porch | 739 | $325 | $175 to $325 | 6 days |
| Rooftop solar | 1,799 | $300 | $300 to $300 | 9 days |
| Fence | 965 | $150 | $25 to $175 | 1 day |
Express Permit or Standard Plan Review?
The Express Permit Program covers repairs and simple projects such as re-roofing, porches, fences, solar and many garages; permits are usually issued within days. New construction, additions and larger renovations go through Standard Plan Review, which costs more and takes weeks to months.
More Chicago permit guides
- How long permits take in Chicago
- New house permit cost
- Renovation permit cost
- Roofing permit cost
- Garage permit cost
- Deck and porch permit cost
Sources
- Fees: Chicago Department of Buildings permit fee tables
- Permit data: Chicago Building Permits (data.cityofchicago.org), permits issued November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2026. Processing time is measured from application start date to issue date.
This is an independent guide built from public records. It is not affiliated with the Chicago Department of Buildings. Fees change, and the city calculates your final fee when you apply; confirm the amount with the city before you budget.
Common questions
How much is a building permit in Chicago?
The median permit issued in the last 12 months paid $325. New houses paid a median $4,091, renovations $975.
How long does a Chicago building permit take?
Express permits are usually issued within days. The median renovation permit took 81 days.