Independent analysis of City of Chicago recordsData through Sep. 15, 2026
PermitWaitChicago permit timing desk

Official community area

Lower West Side permit processing times

For 2,358 issued permits in Lower West Side, the median processing time was 2 days; 75% were issued within 31 days.

Records checked2,3582021–Sep. 15, 2026

The short answer

Typical wait2 daysmedian issued permit
Usually within31 days75% of records
Long-wait edge116 days90% of records
Evidence2,358issued permits

The median was 1 day faster than the previous 12 months.

How the waits are distributed

Median is only the middle. This shows how often issued permits fell into each elapsed-time band.

Same day
40.8%
1–7 days
19.7%
8–30 days
14.3%
31–90 days
12.2%
91+ days
13.1%

Change over time

Annual permit timing

Issue yearRecordsMedian75th percentile90th percentile
20214620 days12 days81 days
20224700 days18 days92 days
20233610 days19 days130 days
20244289 days52 days149 days
20253597 days44 days147 days
2026*2789 days42 days110 days

*2026 is partial through Sep. 15. Year labels use the permit issue date, not the application date.

Context

Nearby points in the citywide timing distribution

ReportMedian75% withinRecords
Avondale2 days21 days2,361
Bridgeport2 days24 days1,920
Brighton Park2 days19 days1,507
Englewood2 days24 days2,131
Lake View2 days23 days6,844
Logan Square2 days29 days5,067
Loop2 days15 days15,467
Lower West Side2 days31 days2,358

Keep comparing

Express Permit Program 1 dayRenovation & Alteration 48 daysEasy Permit Process 0 daysNew Construction 43 daysSigns 33 daysWrecking & Demolition 0 daysElevator Equipment 0 daysReinstated Permit 0 days