Detached Frame Garage

Detached Frame Garage

 

The Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to obtain a building permit for construction or replacement of a residential garage, up to 600 square feet, on a typical Chicago residential lot using a concrete slab-on-grade foundation, wood frame or light-gauge metal frame construction, and a sloped, hip or gable roof.

Eligibility Summary

Additional terms, conditions, and limitations may apply.

Eligible

  • Building a new structure with a hip or gable roof and a floor area not exceeding 600 square feet, using wood or light-gauge metal frame construction, that is capable of storing at least one passenger car, on a lot in a residential (R) zoning district
  • Demolishing an existing detached garage on the site where a new detached garage will be built
  • Reusing an existing foundation to build a new detached garage

Not Eligible

  • Building on a lot in a non-residential (non-R) zoning district
  • Building a structure that is not capable of storing at least one passenger car (including access via an alley or permitted driveway)
  • Building a garage intended for commercial vehicle repair or storage of commercial vehicles
  • Building a garage that is attached to or part of another building
  • Building a garage with masonry walls
  • Building a garage with a flat or low-sloped roof (less than 2:12)
  • Building a garage with a gambrel (barn-type) roof
  • Building a garage with an upper level, storage loft, or mezzanine
  • Building a garage with heating or air-conditioning equipment
  • Building a garage with new plumbing
  • Excavating more than 5 feet below existing grade

Important Considerations

Terms and conditions

See the full Terms and Conditions for Express Permit Program : Detached Frame Garage 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)
  • Exact dimensions of the lot (in feet/inches)
  • Exact dimensions of the proposed garage (in feet/inches)
  • Required documents (see below)
  • Required contractors (see below): exact names or Chicago license numbers

Required Documents

All applications

For all applications, you must upload:

  • Existing condition photograph (at least 1)
  • Site plan, drawn to scale

The site plan may be drawn by any responsible person. It must show the location of the proposed garage. It must be dimensioned, and the dimensions must match the dimensions entered as part of the application.

Unusual lot conditions

For oversized lots, irregularly shaped lots, and lots without alley access, you must upload:

  • Official survey of property

Official surveys must be prepared by an Illinois-licensed land surveyor and be no more than 5 years old.

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.

Required Contractors

For all applications:

Ordinances and Rules

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-12-1204.2 (Stand-alone permit fees)

2019 Chicago Building Code, Section 14B-4-406 (Motor-vehicle-related occupancies)

2019 Chicago Building Code, Section 14B-7-705 (Fire protection—Exterior walls)

2019 Chicago Building Code, Section 14B-18-1809.5, Exception (Foundations—Frost protection)

2019 Chicago Building Code, Section 14B-22-2211 (Cold-formed steel light-frame construction)

2019 Chicago Building Code, Section 14B-23-2308 (Wood—Conventional light-frame construction)

Chicago Mechanical Code, Section 18-28-403.3 (Ventilation requirements)

Chicago Zoning Ordinance, Section 17-9-0200 (Accessory uses, buildings, and structures)

Chicago Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 17-10 (Parking and loading)

Chicago Zoning Ordinance, Section 17-17-0309 (Features allowed to encroach in required setbacks)