The City of Chicago remains committed to modernizing the Chicago Construction Codes. After multiple extensions, the Alternative Plumbing Material Pilot Program expired as of September 1, 2021. The data acquired during the pilot has helped inform the upcoming changes to the plumbing code, set to be introduced to the City Council this fall. It is anticipated that expanded use of PVC for drain, waste, and vent piping ​for some occupancies will be codified into the interim plumbing code and will alleviate the need to apply for and receive an Alternative Code Approval Request (ACAR).

Until the ordinance codifying the changes to the plumbing code becomes official, alternative plumbing material ACAR requests received after September 1 will not be considered.