Before You Apply

The Express Permit Program is only available to alter, repair, or remove communication equipment at a site that was originally installed under a plan-based building permit. Before applying, confirm that you have records of the original plan-based building permit.

Before you start the online application, you should have:

• Property address (exact address used on original building permit)
• 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)
• Required documents (see below)
• Required contractors (see below): exact names or Chicago license numbers
• 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)
• Site plan, drawn to scale

Alteration

If the scope of work is alteration, you must upload:

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

The drawings must show the location of work on the building in both plan and elevation, include installation details, and confirm that new and replacement elements will meet structural and electrical requirements.

Work on, over, or below public street or sidewalk

If the work to be permitted will be partially or completely on, over, or below a public street, sidewalk, or alley (the “public way”), you must upload:

• Copy of related permit or approval

Depending on the type of use of the public way, this permit or similar authorization for work in the public way might be issued by the Department of Transportation (CDOT), Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), or Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).

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.