Plumbing Work
Plumbing Work
The Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to obtain a permit for many common types of plumbing repair and maintenance work.
Eligibility Summary
Additional terms, conditions, and limitations may apply.
Eligible
- Repairing or replacing an existing plumbing fixture
- Repairing or replacing existing plumbing piping (supply or drain/waste/vent) inside a building
- Repairing or replacing existing plumbing risers (supply or drain/waste/vent) inside a building
- Repairing or replacing an existing hot water heater
Not Eligible
- Altering, reconfiguring, or extending an existing plumbing system (limited alterations may be possible as a Nonstructural Interior Alteration)
- Performing plumbing work in an institutional (Group I) occupancy, such as a nursing home, hospital, or jail
- Performing plumbing work more than 5 feet outside a building’s foundation
- Performing work involving a water meter or connection to a water meter
- Installing a plumbing fixture that does not meet the minimum water efficiency requirements of the Chicago Plumbing Code
When is a building permit not required?
Before beginning an Express Permit Program application for plumbing work, please review:
What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? : Plumbing Work
Important Considerations
Terms and conditions
See the full Terms and Conditions for Express Permit Program : Plumbing Work for further limitations on this type of permit.
Before You Apply
Before you start the online application, you should have:
- Property address
- Property PIN (lookup available on Cook County Assessor website)
- Property owner: name and contact information
- Designated emergency contact
- Basic info about the main building on the property (number of stories, number/type of units)
- Details of the proposed plumbing work
- Required documents (see below)
- Required contractor (see below): exact name or Chicago license number
Required Documents
All applications
For all applications, you must upload:
- Existing condition photograph (at least 1)
- Energy and water efficiency compliance form
Repair or in-kind replacement of plumbing risers within existing chases
If the scope of work includes repair or in-kind replacement of plumbing risers within existing chases, you must upload:
- Plumbing contractor drawing
The plumbing contractor drawing must include either a two-dimensional or isometric piping diagram of the entire riser that is being repaired or replaced, including size and material information and other appropriate notes.
Work on condominium property
If the work to be permitted is on property that is part of a condominium association (including work in an individually owned condominium unit) you must upload:
- Condominium association approval letter
This letter must briefly describe the work to be performed (example: interior renovations in unit 9A) and be signed by an authorized representative of the condominium association, such a property manager or officer of the association.
Project owned by a government entity
If the work to be permitted in being undertaken by or for a local, state, or federal government entity (such as Chicago Public Schools) you must upload:
- Government ownership or funding letter
If the government entity has a permit fee waiver ordinance, include a copy of that ordinance as part of this upload.
Project receiving construction funding from a government entity
If the work to be permitted or is receiving construction funding from a government entity (such as a Small Business Improvement Fund grant) you must upload:
- Government ownership or funding letter
The letter must be from the government entity providing the construction funding.
Work required to address fire damage
If work is required to address fire damage, you must have the Department of Buildings assess the scope of fire damage before you apply for a building permit. The Department’s assessment will be documented on a form called the “Tax and Demolition Form,” per the Illinois Insurance Code. You must upload:
- Tax and demolition form
Property owner as plumber
If the property owner will be self-performing plumbing work, you must upload:
- Owner as contractor form (Form 401)
- Copy of government issued identification
The government issued identification must show that the property owner lives at the address where work will be performed.
Required Contractor
For all applications:
- A licensed plumbing contractor
(In some cases, an owner may self-perform plumbing work. For more information, see: Does my project require a licensed plumbing contractor?)
Ordinances and Rules
Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-12-1204.2 (Stand-alone permit fees)
Chicago Plumbing Code, Section 18-29-102.4 (Additions, alterations, or repairs [to plumbing])
2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Section 14R-4-408 (Repairs—Plumbing)