BLDG PROJECTS

Attention City of Chicago contractors and developers.

In accordance with the 2026 Budget Ordinances, adopted by the City Council on December 20th, 2025, the following Department of Buildings fee and program changes will take effect in 2026.

Plan-Based Building Permits:

As of January 6th, in addition to the annual inflation-based increases for 2026, which DOB posted in October, the City Council adopted additional changes to the fee structure for plan-based building permits, which are reflected in the 2026 Amended Fees Tables for Plan-Based Building Permits. The amended fees are also reflected in the Permit Fee Calculator.

Significant changes include:

The initial non-refundable deposit will increase to $600

A penalty equal to the $600 deposit fee will be charged when DOB determines that the permit application is substantially incomplete or otherwise deficient.

A penalty equal to the $600 deposit fee will be charged when DOB determines that the permit application is ineligible for the review program under which it has been submitted.

The construction factors for Group A occupancies have been simplified.

The minimum fee for decreasing dwelling units (deconversion) will increase to match the minimum fee for increasing dwelling units ($1,800).

Express Permit Program:

Effective mid-March 2026 - The fee for many fence permits will decrease.
Effective Summer 2026 - Additional options for porch work will be added to the Express Permit Program.

Trade Licenses:

There have been several changes for trade licenses which will make requirements and fees more consistent across trade license types.

You can view the Department of Buildings Changes for 2026 article at the chicago.gov website to view all of the trade license changes for 2026, as well as the Plan-Based Building Permits + Express Permit Program changes.

Follow us to stay up to date with the latest City of Chicago real estate development news & updates, or to view our architectural design projects across Chicago and beyond.

Chicago Architecture Firm | BLDG PROJECTS

MULTI-FAMILY RENOVATION & NEW COACH HOUSE ADDITION EP. 3 — Here’s a look at the beautiful kitchen, living, and dining room architectural + interior design taking shape at our 5201 project in Andersonville, Chicago!

Developer: Grace Street Renovation Lab
Architect & PE: BLDG Projects
Interior Designer: SITU Design

Chicago Architecture Firm | BLDG PROJECTS

NEW CHICAGO PERMIT CERTIFICATE CHANGES — Attention City of Chicago contractors and developers... there are new changes coming to permit certificates and required inspections that you should be aware of.

As of September 25th, 2025, several changes will appear on plan-based building permit certificates issued in the City of Chicago.

These changes apply both to permit certificates downloaded from the online permit portal and printed at Department of Finance payment centers. However, this will not affect certificates for Express Permits, reinstatement permits, or specialty permits, such as demolition, conveyance device, and elevator permits.

The new changes taking effect include:

Certificates including a reminder that the permit will be suspended if an inspection is not scheduled within 6 months of issuance and at least every 12 months after that.

And the certificate including an additional “Conditions” field. This may include conditions imposed by the Department of Planning and Development related to zoning or historic preservation. (Previously, similar conditions may have been marked on the permit drawings.)

Permit certificates printed before September 25th, 2025, without these features remain fully valid.

To view more details regarding permit terms and conditions, you can visit chicago.gov/permitterms

Follow us to stay up to date with the latest City of Chicago real estate development news and updates, or to view our architectural design projects across Chicago and beyond.

Chicago Architecture Firm | BLDG PROJECTS