Overview

A revision permit is required when changes are made to the design or scope of work after a building permit has been issued and before required permit inspections are complete.

If the changes involve an increase to the originally-permitted area of work, reconfiguration affecting more than 25 percent of the originally-permitted area of work, or a change of occupancy classification or construction type then the original permit may need to be voided and an entirely new permit (replacement permit) obtained.

General Requirements

• A revision permit is a separate permit that is cross referenced to the original permit number when the design or scope of work shown in the construction documents approved with the original permit is modified after permit issuance. 
• A new permit application must be created and a new application number generated by the permit applicant (architect or expediter) using the City of Chicago online permit portal (Hansen).
• Revised construction documents are required. These are submitted to the City electronically through the ProjectDox system. Revised construction documents must meet the following standards:
  • Revised construction documents must be prepared, signed and sealed by the same architect or engineer who signed and sealed the construction documents approved with the original permit. (Submission of a revision permit application with construction documents prepared by a different design professional requires written preapproval from a DOB Deputy Commissioner.)
  • A new permit application (Form 400) and Energy Conservation Code Compliance Statement (Form 408C or 408R) are required. Other supporting forms (such as an excavation certification) may be required based on the scope of revision.
  • The construction documents must include: 
    • A cover sheet with a description of work stating ““Revision to Permit [insert number] to revise [describe revisions]”. For significant revisions, providing additional narrative detail about the scope of revision on the cover sheet will expedite review. 
    • The cover sheet must contain the design professional’s certification statement required by Section 14A-4-411.4.1 of the Municipal Code.
    • A drawing list indicating: (i) each sheet from the original construction documents that is being revised; (ii) each sheet from the original construction documents that is not being revised; (iii) and any new sheets being added. (The drawing list may be part of the cover sheet or separate.)
    • A copy of each sheet that is being revised (or added), with each change graphically indicated by a revision cloud and numbered delta. For an entirely new sheet, a revision cloud should be drawn around the entire sheet.
    • Clouds may only be used to indicate current revisions. Where there are multiple revisions, or clouds were used to indicate corrections during plan review of the original construction documents, previous clouds must be removed but all numbered deltas left in place.
    • A dated key to revision deltas must be provided in the title block on each sheet.
• A complete set of the construction documents approved (stamped by DOB) with the original permit must be uploaded to the “Reference Drawings” folder in ProjectDox. (If there are multiple revisions, the construction documents approved with each earlier revision must also be provided.)
• At the discretion of DOB, revision permits require all reviews required for the original permit, including zoning review.
• After a revision permit is issued, the DOB approved construction documents for the original permit and the revision permit set must be kept on site for use by contractors and inspectors.
•  After a revision permit is issued, the permit certificates for the original permit and the revision permit must be displayed on site as required by Section 14A-4-401.5 of the Municipal Code.

Process-Specific Requirements

Standard Plan Review

• Written approval from a DOB Deputy Commissioner is required if the revision involves:
  • reconfiguration affecting more than 25 percent of the originally-permitted area of work
  • a change of occupancy classification
  • a change of construction construction type 
• The permit fee will be based on the scope, area, and construction factor formula described in Section 14A-4-412.2.2.1 or 14A-4-412.2.2.2 of the Municipal Code, as applicable, unless using the alternative sheet-based calculation method is approved in writing by a Deputy Commissioner.

Self-Certification

• Revisions are subject to Rule K of the Rules for the Self-Certification Permit Program.
• The permit fee will be based on the scope, area, and construction factor formula described in Section 14A-4-412.2.2.1 or 14A-4-412.2.2.2 of the Municipal Code, as applicable, unless using the alternative sheet-based calculation method is approved in writing by a Deputy Commissioner.

Developer Services

• All revisions require approval of the Department:
  • For Traditional Developer Services, contact your assigned Project Administrator.
  • For Direct Developer Services, request a new intake meeting with the Deputy Commissioner.
• The permit fee will be based on the sheet-based method described in Section 14A-4-412.2.2.4 of the Municipal Code unless an area-based fee is approved in writing by a Deputy Commissioner.