Do I need a permit for plumbing fixture or repiping in Chicago?
Yes. In Illinois, plumbing fixture or repiping generally requires a permit, and Chicago is no exception.
Repiping a home's water distribution or drainage requires a permit in most Illinois jurisdictions and must be performed by an Illinois-licensed plumber under the statewide Illinois Plumbing Code. Minor repairs such as clearing a stoppage or replacing a faucet are typically exempt, but replacing or rerouting piping is not. Removing and replacing existing water, drain, waste or vent piping or risers with new material requires a permit through the Express Permit Program. Only clearing a stoppage or stopping a leak without replacing/rearranging pipe, or removing and reinstalling a toilet, is exempt. A licensed and bonded plumbing contractor is required. The one exception: the owner, occupant, or lessee of a detached single-family residence may personally perform the plumbing on their own home, but may not hire an unlicensed person to do it. Altering, extending or reconfiguring the plumbing system (rather than repair/replace) is not eligible for the standalone Plumbing track and may need to be permitted as a nonstructural interior alteration; work must meet the Chicago Plumbing Code.
Documents you may need
- Plumbing plan showing fixtures and pipe runsLikely required
- Illinois-licensed plumber informationrequired
- Pipe material specificationsSometimes required
- Express Permit Program application (Plumbing Work)required
- At least one existing-condition photographrequired
- Licensed plumbing contractor information (or owner-occupant of a detached single-family home self-performing)required
Possible inspections
- Rough plumbing inspection
- Pressure test
- Final inspection
- Rough plumbing inspection of new/replaced piping
- Final plumbing inspection by a Department of Buildings inspector
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit for plumbing fixture or repiping in Chicago?
- Yes. In Illinois, plumbing fixture or repiping generally requires a permit, and Chicago is no exception. Repiping a home's water distribution or drainage requires a permit in most Illinois jurisdictions and must be performed by an Illinois-licensed plumber under the statewide Illinois Plumbing Code. Minor repairs such as clearing a stoppage or replacing a faucet are typically exempt, but replacing or rerouting piping is not. Removing and replacing existing water, drain, waste or vent piping or risers with new material requires a permit through the Express Permit Program. Only clearing a stoppage or stopping a leak without replacing/rearranging pipe, or removing and reinstalling a toilet, is exempt. A licensed and bonded plumbing contractor is required. The one exception: the owner, occupant, or lessee of a detached single-family residence may personally perform the plumbing on their own home, but may not hire an unlicensed person to do it. Altering, extending or reconfiguring the plumbing system (rather than repair/replace) is not eligible for the standalone Plumbing track and may need to be permitted as a nonstructural interior alteration; work must meet the Chicago Plumbing Code.
- Who issues the permit in Chicago?
- The local building department for Chicago handles permitting. This page lists its contact details and online portal. Your mailing city is not always the permitting authority, so confirm the jurisdiction before you apply.
- How do I find out the exact requirements for my project?
- Run the free PermitRoadmap check for your specific project and answers. It returns the likely permits, documents, inspections, and next steps, each linked to its official source.
PermitRoadmap is an independent informational service and is not affiliated with any city, county, state agency, or permitting authority. Results are informational and do not replace confirming requirements with the local permitting authority.