City of Chicago :: Chicago Construction Codes

Navigating the Chicago Construction Codes

Administration

View full text from ICC

Full text from American Legal Publishing

Accessibility

Some buildings or projects may also be required to meet additional state or federal accessibility requirements. Existing businesses may also have obligations to provide accessible services under the City of Chicago Human Rights Ordinance (Chapter 2-160). For more information, contact the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD).

Building (New Construction)

2019 Chicago Building Code

Under the Phase 2 Code Modernization Ordinance, the 2019 Chicago Building Code (Title 14B), based on the 2018 IBC, becomes optional for permit applications started on or after December 1, 2019:

View full text of 2019 Chicago Building Code from ICC

Chicago Amendments to 2018 International Building Code from American Legal Publishing

Additional requirements may apply to regulated businesses, and these requirements are found in the applicable business license provisions in Title 4 of the Municipal Code. 

Conveyance Devices

Requirements for elevators, escalators, and other conveyance devices are found in Title 14C (effective October 1, 2018). These requirements are partially based on and incorporate provisions of model codes published by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and other standards development organizations. These documents are available for purchase from their respective publishers:

Electrical

The Chicago Electrical Code (Title 14E of the Municipal Code) incorporates provisions of the 2017 National Electrical Code, which is published by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). These provisions are incorporated by reference and not reprinted in the ordinance. A free, read-only document which compiles the model code provisions and amendments adopted by the City of Chicago, hosted by NFPA, can be viewed at: https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/codes-and-standards/free-access?mode=view&t=other&c=CHNEC2017. For frequent users of the code, this compiled version of the Chicago Electrical Code is available for purchase from NFPA in various formats.

Fire Prevention

2019 Chicago Building Code and Interim Chicago Fire Prevention Code

Under the Phase 2 Construction Code Modernization Ordinance, the 2019 Chicago Building Code (Title 14B) and  Interim Chicago Fire Prevention Code (Title 14F) apply to most permit applications started on or after August 1, 2020. While the City of Chicago continues to study modernization of the Chicago Fire Prevention Code, many provisions of Title 15 of the Municipal Code of Chicago continue to be referenced in the Interim Fire Prevention Code.

For more information on these provisions, contact the Fire Prevention Bureau.

Fuel Gas

Requirements for fuel gas (natural gas) installations are found in Chapter 18-28, Article XIV, and are based on the 2003 International Fuel Gas Code published by the International Code Council (ICC). A copy of the 2003 edition may be purchased from ICC at http://www.iccsafe.org/. 

These same requirements are referenced in the Interim Fuel Gas Code (Title 14G).

These requirements are being reviewed in Phase 3 of the Construction Codes Modernization Initiative in 2021.

Mechanical

Requirements for mechanical heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are found in Chapter 18-28 of the Municipal Code.

These same requirements are referenced in the Interim Mechanical Code (Title 14M).

These requirements are being reviewed in Phase 3 of the Construction Codes Modernization Initiative in 2021.

Energy Conservation

Effective June 1, 2019, requirements for energy conservation are found in Title 14N of the Municipal Code and are based on and incorporate the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, published by the International Code Council (ICC).

The Chicago Energy Conservation Code is also available from ICC.

For more information on how to show compliance with these requirements, please visit the Energy Conservation Requirements page.

Plumbing

Requirements for plumbing within buildings are found in Chapter 18-29 of the Municipal Code. Additional provisions related to the City of Chicago’s water and sewer systems, including requirements for site stormwater management, are found in Title 11 of the Municipal Code. These provisions are primarily administered by the Department of Water Management (DWM).

These same requirements are referenced in the Interim Plumbing Code (Title 14P).

Signs

Sign requirements are found in both the Building Code (Chapter 13-20, Article XIII; Chapter 13-96, Articles I and II) and Zoning Ordinance (Title 17). Electrified and illuminated signs must also comply with electrical requirements in section 14E-6-600.

Trade Licenses

Trade licenses administered by the Department of Buildings are regulated by the following provisions of the Municipal Code:

Note: Expediters and expediter companies are licensed by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) under Chapter 4-6, Articles XXV and XXVI. The Chicago Fire Department also issues various licenses, as provided in Chapter 15-4.

Work in Existing Buildings (Repairs, Alterations, and Additions)

View full text of the Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code from ICC

Chicago Amendments to 2018 International Existing Building Code from American Legal Publishing

Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings

Minimum standards applicable to all buildings are found in Title 14X.  

Under the Phase 2 Code Modernization Ordinance, adopted April 10, 2019, Title 14X superseded older retroactive provisions (primarily Chapter 13-196) on July 1, 2020.

Zoning

The Chicago Zoning Ordinance is Title 17 of the Municipal Code of Chicago. The Chicago Zoning Ordinance is distinct from the Chicago Building Code and is administered by the Department of Planning and Development, Bureau of Zoning. Additional land use regulations administered by the Zoning Bureau are found in Title 16.

Disclaimer: Not all laws applicable to construction and building maintenance are listed on this website or in the Municipal Code of Chicago. In some cases, Illinois or federal laws or regulations may impose additional requirements for a project. Please consult an Illinois-licensed architect, engineer, or attorney to determine which laws and requirements apply to your specific building or construction project.