How to Write the Description of Work

Description of Work

Building Rehabilitation – Self-Certification

 

To facilitate review of your application and inspections of your project, please make sure that the description of work that you provide at the beginning of the application process is accurate, concise, and complete.

Requirements

For this type of work the description must:

  • Begin with “SELF-CERT 2019 CBRC:”
  • Describe the type of work, for example: “ALTERATION TO FLOOR 5,” “ADDITION TO EXISTING BUILDING,” “CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY FROM _ TO _,” or “REVISION TO PERMIT 100234567”
  • Summarize key features of the project in everyday language (for example ”ALTERATION OF 1 DWELLING UNIT IN EXISTING 3 STORY 3 UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDING”) this should include:
    • Building height in stories above grade plane
    • The specific business type of a non-residential occupancy, such as “veterinary office,” “distillery with tasting room,” or “mattress factory”
    • Number of dwelling units or sleeping units in building, if applicable
    • Number of dwelling units or sleeping units affected by work, if applicable
    • Any accessory structures covered by the permit, such as fences, retaining walls, sheds, or private garages
  • End with a listing of all main occupancy classification(s) under the 2019 Chicago Construction Codes (for example, “OCCUPANCY GROUPS R-2, S-2”) and the construction type under the 2019 Chicago Construction Codes (for example: “TYPE IIIA CONSTRUCTION”).

Examples

SELF-CERT 2019 CBRC: ALTERATIONS TO COMMON AREAS IN 3 STORY 20 UNIT APARTMENT BUILDING AND ADDITION OF OCCUPIABLE ROOFTOP (OCCUPANCY GROUP R-2; TYPE IIIA CONSTRUCTION)

SELF-CERT 2019 CBRC: ALTERATION AND CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY FOR VACANT GROUND-LEVEL RETAIL SPACE IN 3-STORY BUILDING WITH 4 DWELLING UNITS TO MICROBREWERY WITH DINING ROOM, 10 EXISTING ON-SITE PARKING SPACES TO REMAIN. NO WORK TO DWELLING UNITS ABOVE (OCCUPANCY GROUP A-2; TYPE IIIA CONSTRUCTION)

SELF-CERT 2019 CBRC: TENANT BUILDOUT OF 32,000 SQFT FOR CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, INCLUDING ALTERATIONS TO TOILET ROOMS AND ELEVATOR LOBBIES, FLOORS 17 AND 18. INTERIOR DEMO UNDER PERMIT 100999999 (OCCUPANCY GROUP B; TYPE IA CONSTRUCTION)

SELF-CERT 2019 CBRC: REVISION TO PERMIT 100123456 TO RECONFIGURE 3RD FLOOR TOILET ROOMS AND CHANGE HVAC SYSTEM DESIGN (OCCUPANCY GROUP A-3; TYPE IIA CONSTRUCTION)

Reminder: Per the Self-Certification Permit Program Rules, you must e-mail selfcert@cityofchicago.org to obtain pre-approval before starting an application to self-certify a revision to a self-certified permit.