Chicago Kitchen Remodel Permit

What's Required in Chicago

• Kitchen Remodel Permits in Chicago are regulated by the City of Chicago Department of Buildings
• Work must be performed by a licensed Illinois contractor
• Plans must be filed through Chicago's eBUILD online portal
• Inspections are required at key stages of construction
• Final inspection required before project occupancy/use
• Contractor must hold appropriate trade licenses

Do You Need a Permit to Remodel a Kitchen in Chicago?

It depends on what you're changing, not on the word “remodel.” In Chicago, the recorded trigger is the systems: plumbing or electrical work in the remodel means permits; purely cosmetic work generally doesn't. Permit fees typically run $300–$1,800 (valuation-based), issued by the Chicago Dept. of Buildings. A remodel that moves the sink, adds circuits, relocates the range, or opens a wall is firmly in permit territory — and often means separate trade permits rather than one ticket.

Kitchen Work That Usually Doesn't Need a Permit

The cosmetic layer is generally yours to change freely: swapping cabinets in the same footprint, new countertops, flooring, backsplash, paint, and replacing appliances that use existing hookups. The moment the project touches what's behind the finishes — supply lines, drains, gas, new circuits, walls, or venting — it stops being cosmetic in the city's eyes. If your remodel straddles the line, describe the full scope to the Chicago Dept. of Buildings up front; retrofitting a permit onto half-finished work is the expensive path.

How to Get a Kitchen Remodel Permit in Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions