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 reroofing work
• Illinois roofing contractor license number
• Required documents (see below)
• Required contractor (see below): exact name or Chicago license number
• Required design professional (if any, see below): exact name or Illinois license number

Required Documents

All applications

For all applications, you must upload:

• Existing condition photograph (at least 1)

Structural repairs

If the scope of work includes structural repairs to the roof structure, you must upload:

• Drawings prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer

Three or more layers of roof covering

If the scope of work includes roof recover over two or more existing layers of roof covering, you must upload:

• Structural calculations prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer

The calculations must show that the existing roof structure is adequate for the additional loads imposed by the proposed work.

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 general contractor

If the property owner will be acting as general contractor, 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.