Do you need a permit for your remodel? How it generally works around Chicago

Almost every homeowner asks the same question at the start of a remodel: do I need a permit? The honest answer is that it depends on what you are changing and where you live. This post explains how it generally works, so you know what to ask.

This is general information and not legal advice. The rules differ between villages and cities, and they change. Always confirm with your own building department.

Why permits exist

A permit is a record that a project was reviewed and that the work will be checked. Inspectors look at things that are hard to see after the walls are closed: framing, wiring, plumbing and the safety of the structure. A permit is meant to protect the people living in the house, now and later.

Work that often needs one

Rules vary, but permits are commonly associated with work like this:

• Structural changes, such as moving or removing a wall that carries weight
• New or relocated plumbing, such as a new bathroom or a moved shower
• New or changed electrical wiring, panels or circuits
• Changes to heating, ventilation or gas lines
• Finishing a basement, especially if it adds a bedroom or a bathroom
• Additions or new openings, including windows and doors that change an opening

Work that often does not

Cosmetic work is less likely to need a permit: painting, replacing flooring, swapping a faucet or a light fixture in the same place, or replacing cabinets without moving plumbing or wiring. But even this depends on where you live, so confirm before assuming.

Why it differs from place to place

Chicago has its own building department, and so does every suburb around it, from Plainfield, Shorewood and Naperville to Oak Brook and Hinsdale. Each has its own procedures. They may differ in what they require, what plans they want, how long review takes and how inspections are scheduled. A rule you read about for one place may not apply to another.

The simplest approach is to call your city or village building department, describe your project in plain terms and ask what is required.

What the process usually looks like

• **Application.** Someone submits a description or plans of the work, sometimes with product details.
• **Review.** The village looks at the plans.
• **Permit issued.** Work begins.
• **Inspections.** At set stages, such as before walls are closed, an inspector visits.
• **Final.** After the last inspection, the permit is closed.

The details and the timing differ everywhere.

Who handles it

Where a permit is required, OVK coordinates it. That means we prepare what the village asks for, schedule inspections and make sure the work is ready for each one. You will still see it on paper, since the permit is tied to your property, and we explain what is happening along the way.

What if you skip it

Skipping a required permit can cause trouble later. It may come up when you sell, when you apply for insurance, or when an inspector notices the work. Unpermitted work may have to be opened up for inspection. That is a risk we would not ask a homeowner to take.

Hidden things in older houses

Older houses sometimes reveal surprises once the walls are open: outdated wiring, pipes that are not as expected or framing that is not what the plans suggest. A permit process can bring these to light, and it is better to know about them during the work than after.

Ask the right questions

When talking to your village or to a contractor, ask:

• Does this project need a permit?
• What plans or drawings are required?
• Who applies, and who is responsible for inspections?
• How long does review usually take?
• What inspections happen, and at what stages?

How it affects the schedule

Review and inspection times can add to the schedule. We plan for them from the start, so the work does not stall. See our post on reading a remodeling estimate for how scope and timing fit together.

Plans and drawings

Some permits ask for simple sketches, while others want scaled drawings. For a bathroom, the village may only want to know where fixtures move. For structural work, it may require drawings prepared by a professional. Ask early what is expected, because preparing them takes time. We help gather what a village asks for and tell you in advance when an outside professional, such as an engineer or an architect, would be needed. That keeps the application from stalling after the work has been scheduled.

Talk it through with us

If you are not sure whether your project needs a permit, we will help you find out. See our whole-home renovation page, then request a free estimate. We will tell you at the estimate stage what we expect your village to require.