Chicago building permit fee calculator
Updated November 11, 2026 · Built from official fee schedules and city permit records
Enter your project details to estimate the Chicago building permit fee under the current official fee schedule.
How the calculator works
Chicago publishes the fee charged on every permit. The calculator groups permits issued in the last 12 months by project type and the cost reported on the permit, and shows what similar permits actually paid. It is an estimate from real outcomes, not the city's formula; the Department of Buildings calculates your exact fee at application.
More Chicago permit guides
- Building permit cost in Chicago
- 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?
Express permits such as re-roofing usually pay $450, fences $150 and solar $300. Renovations with a $25,000 to $100,000 cost paid a median of about $925.