Citywide permit type
Easy Permit Process processing times
Across Chicago, 33,486 issued easy permit process permits had a median processing time of 0 days.
Records checked33,4862021–Sep. 15, 2026
The short answer
Typical wait0 daysmedian issued permit
Usually within1 day75% of records
Long-wait edge12 days90% of records
Evidence33,486issued permits
Not enough records for a year-over-year comparison.
How the waits are distributed
Median is only the middle. This shows how often issued permits fell into each elapsed-time band.
Change over time
Annual permit timing
| Issue year | Records | Median | 75th percentile | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 12,293 | 0 days | 1 day | 10 days |
| 2022 | 11,689 | 0 days | 1 day | 12 days |
| 2023 | 9,464 | 0 days | 1 day | 13 days |
| 2024 | 36 | 0 days | 99 days | 139 days |
*2026 is partial through Sep. 15. Year labels use the permit issue date, not the application date.
Context
All permit types, from shortest to longest median
| Report | Median | 75% within | Records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy Permit Process | 0 days | 1 day | 33,486 |
| Elevator Equipment | 0 days | 0 days | 6,546 |
| Reinstated Permit | 0 days | 0 days | 1,775 |
| Scaffolding | 0 days | 0 days | 1,019 |
| Wrecking & Demolition | 0 days | 55 days | 4,023 |
| Express Permit Program | 1 day | 8 days | 91,329 |
| Signs | 23 days | 61 days | 13,362 |
| New Construction | 27 days | 92 days | 8,073 |
| Renovation & Alteration | 28 days | 85 days | 36,906 |