Chicago Concrete Permits: Aprons, Sidewalks, Patios and Garage Slabs

Most like-for-like driveway replacements, low patios and walks off the public way, and short retaining walls. The city lists these among work that doesn't need a building permit:

• A concrete or brick patio, walkway or sidewalk that isn't in the public way, is not more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and isn't over a basement or story below.
• Maintaining, or removing and replacing in kind, a concrete, brick or asphalt driveway or parking surface. Establishing, expanding or eliminating an off-street parking area does need a permit.
• A retaining wall not more than 4 feet high that isn't supporting a surcharge.
• On homes up to 4 stories, removing and replacing in kind up to 50 square feet of masonry, including concrete.

No building permit doesn't mean no license: see the hiring guide.

The owner applies at City Hall with $250,000 of liability insurance and a $10 fee, and a new driveway takes at least 30 days.

1. The property owner applies in person at City Hall, Room 905. A residential application needs the completed form, five copies of a plat of survey for a proposed driveway, a photo of the curb and sidewalk area and the property's PIN.
2. The owner's liability insurance must be $250,000 and name the City of Chicago as additional insured.
3. The residential application fee is $10 for the life of the ownership; a new owner must apply again.
4. A proposed driveway needs Zoning sign-off, field inspections by several city departments and approval from the alderman. If the alderman doesn't reply within 20 days, approval is granted by default. Expect to wait at least 30 days.
5. A licensed sidewalk contractor then obtains the driveway construction permit before the driveway is built.

Proof of a driveway permit is needed before the Department of Buildings issues a building permit, and failing to comply carries a fine of not less than $50 per offense.

Yes, through the city's Shared Cost Sidewalk Program. It covers sidewalk in the public right-of-way, and you can ask for the driveway apron to be removed and replaced when you apply. The 2026 program opened to applicants on January 12, 2026, through 311, on a first-come, first-served basis. The city estimates an average mid-block owner pays $1,000 to $2,400, with a 50 percent discount available to seniors and people with disabilities. Private property sidewalks aren't eligible. Private-lot work goes through a contractor; see concrete driveways.

A detached garage up to 600 square feet can use an express permit, and concrete repair over 100 square feet on a building needs drawings. A detached garage of up to 600 square feet on a slab-on-grade foundation can use the city's Express Permit Program; a licensed general contractor is listed among the required contractors. Concrete repair on a building over 100 square feet needs drawings by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. More on slabs on the garage slab page.

Most suburbs issue their own driveway and patio permits. Naperville only allows apron and public sidewalk concrete from April 15 to November 15, Aurora sets an April-to-October pour season and a reimbursement program for broken approaches, Des Plaines charges $100 for a driveway permit, and Joliet makes the contractor pull the permit.