Electrical Maintenance (Monthly)

Electrical Maintenance (Monthly)

 

A monthly electrical maintenance permit allows a single licensed electrical contractor to perform eligible electrical maintenance work at a property over a 30-day period, while keeping a detailed log of all maintenance work performed. A monthly maintenance permit can also be used to install temporary electrical equipment, including portable outdoor generators, for an indoor or outdoor special event or trade show.

Eligibility Summary

Additional terms, conditions, and limitations may apply.

Eligible

  • Performing maintenance and testing for emergency systems, including generators, inverters, etc.
  • Replacing an existing fixture
  • Installing a new device in an existing outlet location
  • Performing incidental low voltage/communication work in the same area (must be done by same electrical contractor)

Required by the Chicago Electrical Code:

  • Performing inspection and maintenance in buildings with distribution systems at voltages exceeding 600 volts nominal to ground
  • Performing inspection and maintenance in buildings utilizing equipment at voltages exceeding 150 volts nominal to ground

In connection with an indoor or outdoor special event:

  • Connecting temporary wiring and devices to existing circuits on an existing service
  • Connecting temporary wiring and devices to a portable outdoor generator

Not Eligible

  • Adding circuits to an existing panel
  • Replacing an existing panel
  • Replacing or upgrading an existing service
  • Adding new outdoor site lighting
  • Adding or replacing a generator
  • Installing, altering, or removing business identification or advertising signage
  • Installing, altering, or removing wireless (cellular) communication equipment
  • Working on a fire alarm system, emergency communication/notification system, or fire-alarm-integrated devices, such as magnetic locks
  • Installing new or reconfigured permanent exit signs (no new exit sign locations)
  • Installing, altering, or removing permanent space heating equipment
  • Installing, altering, or removing domestic hot water equipment
  • Installing, altering, or removing solar photovoltaic panels
  • Installing or altering a wind turbine

When is a building permit not required?

Before beginning an Express Permit Program application for monthly electrical maintenance work, please review:

What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? : Electrical Work

Important Considerations

Terms and conditions

See the full Terms and Conditions for Express Permit Program : Monthly Maintenance for further limitations on this type of permit.

Before You Apply

Before you start the online application, you should have:

  • Property address
  • 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)
  • Number of electrical services
  • Start date of maintenance agreement or special event
  • Duration of maintenance agreement or special event
  • Required documents (if any, see below)
  • Required contractor (see below): exact name or Chicago license number

Required Documents

For most monthly maintenance permits you will not be required to upload any documents as part of the permit application.

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.

Required Contractor

For all applications:

  • A licensed electrical contractor (general, not low voltage)

Ordinances and Rules

Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions, Section 14A-4-403 (Monthly Permits)

Chicago Electrical Code (Title 14E)