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Filter by DOB notes
This is a new field in the building permits data; as of launch on February 3, 2026, there are only 70 permits with a DOB note.
Filter by issuance date
Start date
End date
Filter by unit count
Not all projects may be found. Unit counts are accurate for 2019-2024. For other years, our software reads the permit description to determine the unit count, as the Dept. of Buildings does not provide the unit count. Enter '0' in either field if you want to find permits that have no unit count.
Milestones
Quick Filters
Select a Quick Filter and then select the "Search & apply filters" button. Note: choosing multiple Quick Filters may result in zero permits because the system is looking for permits that match every Quick Filter you choose.
Quick Filters are complex filters for Chicago Cityscape members.
Filter by application start date
Start date
End date
Filter by company type
The database will be filtered to show permits that have the selected company/contractor type attached.
Filter by specific companies
Option 1. Select permits that have any of the companies you select
Option 2. Select permits that have all of the companies you select
Some companies and contractors may appear multiple times with varied spellings. Use Company Profiles to find the most recently used spelling.
Filter by zoning
Filter by transit / TOD proximity
This search may include properties near unopened stations: Metra Auburn Park (under construction).
Tip: Use "Filter by zoning" and choose a "TOD" group of zoning districts.
This searches for proximity to CTA and Metra stations; in Chicago it also looks for proximity to select bus route corridors.
Filter by construction cost
Each field is optional - you can enter a minimum, a maximum, or both
Incentives
Selecting multiple will narrow results
Filter by permit number
Filter by Place Report
For Cityscape members only
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Chicago Cityscape offers five automated, daily citywide building permits newsletters and one custom weekly newsletter.
Find older custom weekly newsletters in the Newsletters Hub
daily, when demolition permits have been issued
Cannot fave items right nowdaily, when renovation/new construction permits worth $50,000+ have been issued
Cannot fave items right nowdaily, when new construction permits worth more than $450,000 have been issued
Cannot fave items right nowdaily, when renovation permits worth more than $1 million have been issued
Cannot fave items right nowdaily, when new construction permits with any of the terms residential, multi, family, flat, and unit have been issued
Cannot fave items right nowweekly, featuring a selection of notable building permits in Chicago within the last two weeks
Cannot fave items right nowThe map and spreadsheet shows building permits data from the City of Chicago Department of Buildings. Read more details about these Sources.
Sprinkler permits are issued by the Chicago Fire Department, which does not have a public database. You may submit a FOIA request to the CFD to request a copy of the sprinkler permit.
Certificates of occupancy are issued by the Chicago Department of Buildings for buildings that are not houses with 1-4 units. There is not a public database of "C of Os".
* Unit counts are interpreted automatically from the permit description, and will exclude some permits that don't include the count in the description. Unit counts also exclude: townhouses, permits with descriptions that use words instead of numbers to count, and permits with misspelled words in the description. Single-unit houses are likely to be overcounted, while multi-unit buildings are likely to be undercounted.