Chicago's driveway permit

You need one to use a driveway at all, existing or new. It's the legal authority to cross the public way to reach a garage or parking space.² Many owners find out when they apply for a building permit, since the Department of Buildings needs proof of a driveway permit before it issues one. Permits don't transfer: a new owner applies in their own name, and a tenant with a 10-year lease can apply in theirs.¹

A residential permit is for a property of 4 units or fewer. A business, a building with more than 4 units, a school or a church needs a commercial permit. A driveway onto a street the Illinois Department of Transportation runs also needs an IDOT permit, and it's up to you to find out whether yours does.²

CDOT gives these standards, measured at the property line:²

The most any driveway can be is 25 feet wide, and it has to be at least these distances away:²

• 5 feet from above-ground utilities such as light poles and fire hydrants;
• 10 feet from the property line of a residential street at an intersection;
• 20 feet from the property line of an arterial street on the far side of an intersection, and 30 feet on the near side;
• 10 feet from the edge of an alley;
• 10 feet from the next driveway;
• usually 5 feet from a tree trunk, though the Bureau of Forestry reviews each case.

Near railroad tracks, approval from the Illinois Commerce Commission may be needed.²

For a residential permit you need the completed application, five copies of a plat of survey for a proposed driveway (two copies, or a sketch showing the curb cut, for an existing one), one photo of the driveway or proposed spot showing the curb and sidewalk, and the property's PIN. You also need a certificate of insurance for $250,000 of personal liability naming the City of Chicago, its officers, employees or agents as additional insured for the driveway approach. Naming the city costs nothing extra.¹

CDOT's overview says applications are made in person at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle Street, Room 905, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (312.744.9148).¹ You can also ask for an application by mail or email,² and CDOT's driveway permits page links an online driveway permitting portal.

An existing driveway takes about a week by mail. A new one takes at least 30 days.² It needs the Zoning Department's sign-off, field inspections by the Bureau of Electricity, the Bureau of Forestry, the Department of Water Management and CDOT, and the approval of the ward's alderman. If the alderman doesn't reply within 20 days, approval is granted by default.¹

The driveway permit covers use only. Before the driveway is built, a licensed sidewalk contractor has to get a driveway construction permit and present the driveway permit to CDOT.¹

For a residential driveway (up to 4 units), the application fee is $10 for the life of the ownership, and there's no annual fee. A change of owner means a new application. Commercial driveways pay an annual fee, $100.00 for a driveway up to 25 feet wide. Inside the Central Business District each driveway's fee is twice the listed amount. Failing to comply brings a fine of not less than $50 for each offense, and the city can also restrict access to the driveway.¹ CDOT's other permit fees are on its permit fee schedule.