Exterior Window or Door Replacement

Exterior Window or Door Replacement

 

The Express Permit Program offers a streamlined way to obtain a building permit for replacement of doors, windows, and skylights in existing exterior wall and roof openings.

Eligibility Summary

Additional terms, conditions, and limitations may apply.

Eligible

  • Replacing a window in an existing wall opening in a building up to 7 stories tall
  • Replacing an exterior door in an existing wall opening with the same type of exterior door in a building up to 7 stories tall
  • Replacing a skylight in an existing roof opening in a building up to 7 stories tall

With drawings prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer:

  • Performing similar work in a building taller than 7 stories

Not Eligible

  • Creating a new opening in an exterior wall or roof for a new window, door, or skylight
  • Replacing a window or door that has or is required to have fire-rated glass
  • Replacing a window or door within 10 feet of a fire escape
  • In a building with more than 3 stories, replacing a window in a wall that is within 2 feet of a lot line that separates two properties
  • Installing a new window, door, or skylight that does not meet minimum energy efficiency requirements of the Chicago Energy Transformation Code

When is a building permit not required?

Before beginning an Express Permit Program application for exterior window or door replacement, please review:

What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit? : Exterior Walls, Windows, and Doors

Important Considerations

Terms and conditions

See the full Terms and Conditions for Express Permit Program : Exterior Window/Door Replacement 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)
  • Details of the proposed work
  • 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)
  • Energy and water efficiency compliance form

Work in a building taller than 7 stories

If the scope of work includes work in a building taller than 7 stories, you must upload:

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

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

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.

Required Contractor

For all applications:

Required Design Professionals

Drawings and/or calculations prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer are required if:

  • The building where work will be performed is taller than 7 stories

That architect or engineer must be identified in the Additional Applicants section of the application.

Ordinances and Rules

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

2019 Chicago Building Code, Section 14B-24-2401 (Safety glazing)

2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code, Chapter 14N-C5 (Commercial buildings—Existing buildings)

2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code, Chapter 14N-R5 (Residential buildings—Existing buildings)

2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Section 14R-4-402.1 (Repairs—Glazing in hazardous locations)

2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Section 14R-4-409.1 (Repairs—Light and ventilation—General)

2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Section 14R-7-702.4 (Window opening control devices on replacement windows)

2019 Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings, Section 14X-3-303.16 (Insect screens)

2019 Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings, Section 14X-3-303.19 (Guards for basement windows)