Do I need a permit to remodel my kitchen in Chicago?
Read this first: The figures come from 190 City of Chicago renovation/alteration permits issued 2025-10-16 to 2026-10-14, picked because the work description mentions a kitchen or bath and residential use. Reported cost is what the applicant wrote on the permit, which may not be what the job cost. These permits lean toward large or structural jobs: many small kitchen and bath updates use express permits or need none, so they are under-represented. Treat the numbers as context, not a quote.
Generally, yes, if the work involves electrical, plumbing, gas, structural changes, or moving walls. Purely cosmetic work (paint, refacing cabinets, swapping a countertop in place) often doesn't need one. The rules change, so confirm with the Chicago Department of Buildings before starting.
The Department of Buildings offers several permit paths (including express/easy permits for limited scopes, and standard plan review for larger work). Your contractor should know which one applies to your job.