Do I need a permit to build a new house in Chicago? Yes: Standard Plan Review, an architect-filed application and the GC license limits

Which program and who files

The DOB's Standard Plan Review page (read 26 October 2026) calls it "the main permitting process for building permit applications which require architectural plans", for work including "new construction" of "single family homes". Key lines:

The new construction instructions (read 26 October 2026) add who can start it: "you must be an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer or a city-licensed expediter, and your license must be associated with your Dynamic Portal user account." So as an owner you cannot file a new-home permit yourself; your architect does.

How the application runs

1. Zoning and address. The address must match a house number certificate from the Chicago Department of Transportation; a new street address has to be set up by DOB before the deposit can be paid. Every property PIN must be entered.
2. Start in the Dynamic Portal as "New Construction with Plans", Standard Plan Review, with the estimated cost of materials and labor and the building area. If a building stood on the lot, the 9-digit wrecking (demolition) permit number goes in.
3. Pay the deposit, then upload drawings and Form 400 to ProjectDox within the E-Plan system; the Form 400 cost, area, height and description must match the portal entries or issue is delayed.
4. Contractors. The general contractor and trade contractors can be added later, but must be listed before the permit can issue.
5. Issue. Pay the balance, print the permit and post it "in a location visible from a public street or sidewalk before any work begins"; approved drawings must be on site whenever work is happening.
6. Certificate of occupancy. A new house (Group R-3) answers "Yes" to the certificate of occupancy question, so the job ends with a CO.

Who can build it

From the City's general contractor page (read 26 October 2026): a licensed and insured GC "is required for most types of building construction", and "Only one general contractor is allowed on the same project at the same time." The license page caps each class by project value:

With the usual new-home permit filed at $440,000 and the middle half of builders' usual values running $377,675 to $775,000, many Chicago houses sit near the Class E ceiling; a builder with a Class E license cannot take a job above $500,000. Check the class on Licensed Trade Contractors, along with the electrical, plumbing and mason contractors.

Owner as general contractor: allowed without a license for "an entirely residential property that is the individual's primary residence", no more than 6 units and no building over 3 stories, for one property a calendar year. But "An individual without a general contractor's license cannot perform or oversee work that requires a demolition permit or excavation notice", so ask DOB whether your foundation work triggers an excavation notice before planning to build your own.

What it costs

The fee depends on "construction type, occupancy type, area in square feet, and project scope", under the Chicago Construction Codes Administrative Provisions (Calculate the Cost of a Building Permit, read 26 October 2026). The City's online calculator reflects 2026 fees; permits issued from 1 January 2027 use the 2027 fee tables posted on the same page. We could not open the fee table PDFs, so we quote no amount; questions go to the assigned project manager or dob-info@cityofchicago.org. Driveway, sewer and water permits and any wrecking permit are separate.

What 1,090 Chicago new-home permits show

Chicago house building is a market of small builders: 458 names for 1,090 permits, 61.4% of them with one, and the five busiest holding only 11.9%. Completion in the City's file is low across the board, 37.8%, and 20 of 21 busy builders were under 70%, so an open new-home permit often reflects City paperwork rather than an unfinished house; ask the builder for the certificate of occupancy on their recent homes. Prices by home size: Chicago new home cost.

See every Chicago home builder by permits filed →

Related

Older permits on a lot: Chicago building permit search and the City's Building Permit and Inspection Records. Licenses: Chicago contractor license lookup. Smaller jobs: Chicago remodel permit and Chicago garage permit. Other places: do I need a permit to build a house. National prices: new home construction cost; what to ask: hiring a home builder. Counts by month: Chicago permit statistics.

What this does not tell you

Chicago's permit file has no completion date, so the days figure is our estimate from status and permit age, and "marked complete" understates finished houses. Filed values are the applicant's estimated cost. We do not match Chicago builders to the City's license list, so check the class yourself.