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

Citywide permit type

Renovation & Alteration processing times

Across Chicago, 36,906 issued renovation & alteration permits had a median processing time of 28 days.

Source: City of Chicago Building Permits · Issued-permit cohort · Updated Sep. 16, 2026

Records checked36,9062021–Sep. 15, 2026

The short answer

For Renovation & Alteration processing times, 36,906 issued permit records show a median processing time of 28 days; 75% were issued within 85 days and 90% within 169 days, covering January 2021 through September 15, 2026.

Typical wait28 daysmedian issued permit
Usually within85 days75% of records
Long-wait edge169 days90% of records
Evidence36,906issued permits

The median was 8 days slower than the previous 12 months.

Renovation & Alteration processing times: wait distribution

For Renovation & Alteration processing times, 36,906 issued permits are distributed across five elapsed-time bands from same-day issuance through waits of 91 days or longer.

Same day
23.1%
1–7 days
13.2%
8–30 days
15.4%
31–90 days
24.9%
91+ days
23.4%

Change over time

Renovation & Alteration processing times: annual permit timing

Renovation & Alteration processing times has 6 publishable issue-year cohorts spanning 2021–2026, representing 36,906 issued records in the annual table.

Issue yearRecordsMedian75th percentile90th percentile
20217,2902 days50 days119 days
20227,7302 days53 days134 days
20236,40424 days84 days174 days
20246,17043 days98 days194 days
20255,48353 days109 days201 days
2026*3,82959 days123 days209 days

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

Context

Renovation & Alteration processing times: All permit types, from shortest to longest median

Renovation & Alteration processing times has 36,906 issued records, a 28 days median, and a 85 days 75th-percentile wait in this release.

ReportMedian75% withinRecords
Easy Permit Process0 days1 day33,486
Elevator Equipment0 days0 days6,546
Reinstated Permit0 days0 days1,775
Scaffolding0 days0 days1,019
Wrecking & Demolition0 days55 days4,023
Express Permit Program1 day8 days91,329
Signs23 days61 days13,362
New Construction27 days92 days8,073
Renovation & Alteration28 days85 days36,906

More Renovation & Alteration processing times comparisons

The Renovation & Alteration processing times cohort contains 36,906 issued records; related links retain separate location and permit-category cohorts.

Loop Area detailNear North Side Area detailNear West Side Area detailWest Town Area detailLake View Area detailLincoln Park Area detailAustin Area detailLogan Square Area detailPortage Park Area detailIrving Park Area detailAuburn Gresham Area detailNorth Center Area detail