Requirements

Making sure that your description of work includes key information, is accurate, and is concise is very important to ensuring the plan examination and inspection process will run smoothly.

For this type of work the description must:

• Begin with “DDS 2019 CBRC:”
• Describe the type of work, for example: “ALTERATION TO FLOOR 5,” “ADDITION TO EXISTING BUILDING,” “CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY FROM _ TO _,” or “REVISION TO PERMIT 100234567”
• Summarize key features of the project in everyday language (for example ”EXISTING 8 STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING”) this should include:
  • Building height in stories above grade plane
  • The specific business type of a non-residential occupancy, such as “veterinary office,” “distillery with tasting room,” or “mattress factory”
  • Number of dwelling units or sleeping units in building, if applicable
  • Number of dwelling units or sleeping units affected by work, if applicable
  • Any accessory structures covered by the permit, such as fences, retaining walls, sheds, or private garages
• End with a listing of all main occupancy classification(s) under the 2019 Chicago Construction Codes (for example, “OCCUPANCY GROUPS A-1, S-2”) and the construction type under the 2019 Chicago Construction Codes (for example: “TYPE IA CONSTRUCTION”).

Your project administrator may add additional information to your description of work, such as the external review firm that you select.

Examples

DDS 2019 CBRC: ALTERATION AND REPAIRS TO ALL DWELLING UNITS AND COMMON AREAS IN 10 STORY 78 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING. (NO CHANGE IN NUMBER OF UNITS) ADDITION OF FULL SPRINKLER SYSTEM. ADDITION OF OCCUPIABLE ROOFTOP. NO WORK TO EXISTING ON SITE PARKING. (OCC. GROUP R-2; TYPE IB CONSTRUCTION)

DDS 2019 CBRC: ALTERATION AND CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY FOR VACANT 15,000 SQFT GROUND-LEVEL RETAIL SPACE IN 15-STORY RESIDENTIAL BUILDING TO MICROBREWERY WITH DINING ROOM. NO WORK TO RESIDENTIAL PORTION OF BUILDING (OCCUPANCY GROUPS F-1, A-2; TYPE IA CONSTRUCTION)

DDS 2019 CBRC: CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY (FROM GROUP B) AND BUILDOUT OF 32,000 SQFT FULL FLOOR FOR PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL, INCLUDING ALTERATIONS TO TOILET ROOMS AND ELEVATOR LOBBIES ON FLOOR 3 IN 20 STORY OFFICE BUILDING (OCCUPANCY GROUP E-1; TYPE IA CONSTRUCTION)

DDS 2019 CBRC: NONSTRUCTURAL INTERIOR DEMOLITION, INCLUDING REMOVAL OF MEP SYSTEMS, ON FLOORS 22-26 IN 40 STORY OFFICE BUILDING. NO STRUCTURAL WORK AND NO CHANGES TO DEMISING WALLS OR COMMON CORRIDORS/TOILETS. BUILDOUT UNDER PERMIT APP #100999999 (OCCUPANCY GROUPS A-3, B; TYPE IA CONSTRUCTION)

DDS 2019 CBRC: REVISION TO PERMIT 100123456 TO RECONFIGURE CONFERENCE CENTER ON 17TH FLOOR AND ADD ROOFTOP AMENITY SPACE (OCCUPANCY GROUP B; TYPE IA CONSTRUCTION)

Describing Phased Permitting

When interior or preparatory demolition work will be permitted as a separate phase, the description of work must specify:

• If the work will include alteration or removal of mechanical, electrical, plumbing, or fire protection systems (work affecting standpipes or automatic sprinkler systems requires a separate permit from the Chicago Fire Department)
• If the work will include structural work, such as alteration or removal of beams, columns, or portions of a floor or roof
• If the work will include exterior walls, including windows or doors in exterior walls
• If the work will affect fire-resistance-rated demising walls between tenant spaces, dwelling units, and/or corridors
• If the work will affect corridors, exits, or common areas, such as toilet rooms, and, if so, if those elements serve areas of the building that will remain occupied

For additional information about describing phased permitting, see Direct Developer Services - New Construction.