recent building permits…
Illinois has 6,566 building permits on file, with 2,519 new permits filed in the last 30 days. That's steady work coming through the system. Chicago dominates permit activity in the state, making it the primary source for construction leads across all trades. Electrical work leads the pack with 1,982 permits, followed by other permit types at 1,692. Roofing comes in at 912 permits and renovation at 861. HVAC, plumbing, and general contracting all show consistent activity. If you're working in any of these trades, Illinois permits represent real jobs with owners who've already committed to construction. Permit data works for contractors because it shows you who's building before they call your competitors. When you track permits in your market, you're seeing projects at the moment they become official. That's when owners are actually ready to hire subs and specialty contractors.
Building permits are the fastest way to find new construction leads in Illinois. When a permit is filed, the project is approved and moving forward. DigPermit's database tracks all permits filed in the state, updated regularly so you see new projects as they're submitted. Filter by trade type, city, and filing date to find jobs that match your services. Electrical contractors, roofers, HVAC specialists, and plumbers all use this data to contact property owners and general contractors before the work is bid out to a full list of vendors.
Chicago is by far the most active city for building permits in Illinois, accounting for the entire permit volume in our current database at 6,566 permits. This makes Chicago the primary market for contractors looking for consistent lead flow. The city's mix of residential, commercial, and renovation work means there's demand across electrical, roofing, HVAC, plumbing, and general contracting. If you service the Chicago area, permit data is your direct line to active projects.
Electrical permits are the most common in Illinois with 1,982 permits on file, making it the top trade by volume. Other permits account for 1,692 filings, roofing has 912, and renovation permits total 861. Commercial permits represent 378 filings. This breakdown tells you where the work is concentrated. Electrical contractors have the largest lead pool, but roofing and renovation also represent solid opportunity. Track permits by type to focus on the work that fits your business.
7,876 recent building permits filed in Illinois.
7,876 permits
Construct new 2-story rear open wood porch. no change in size/location/configuration. (occupancy group r-5; type iiia construction)
For permit 101050955: replacement electrical contractor. new contractor(s) listed under "other applicants and contractors" on permit certificate.
Full rebuild (same as existing) for wood porch (open) (quantity: 1, location: rear of building). landing: 135 square feet.
Low voltage/communication electrical work. install other. specific location: main area.
Line voltage electrical work. repair or alter devices on existing circuits. receptacle outlets: 1 . lighting outlets: 0. specific location: bldg west side exterior.
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Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: sloped (2:12 to 5:12). inverter output: 11.5 kw. array output: 10.66 kw. includes 9.7 kwh energy storage system. loca…
For permit 101063556: replacement electrical contractor. replacement general contractor. additional mason contractor. replacement plumbing contractor. new contractor(s) listed unde…
Emergency wreck and remove a 2 story masonry multi unit residence
New detached wood frame garage. dimensions and setbacks per application. building outside dimensions: 20'-5' ' x27'-0' '. gable roof height to peak: 14'-0' '.
Interior build-out for the elca foundation a tenant office suite on level 6. this is a business use in an existing business use space. the project is located in an existing high-ri…
Wreck and remove a 2 story masonry multi unit residence
In-kind replacement of exterior windows and doors in existing openings. replacement windows: 14; replacement skylights: 0; replacement doors: 2. affects: 1 residential unit(s), 0 n…
Scope: roof replacement. area: 9166 sq. ft. roof covering: other. location: roof top. il roofing contractor license: 104018894.
Spr 2019 cbrc. new open steel/ wood pergola over existing garage rooftop deck. all work as per plans (occupancy: r-5; const.type: iiia).
Scope: roof recover. area: 3700 sq. ft. roof covering: mineral - surfaced roll roofing. location: rooftop. il roofing contractor license: 104000394.
Spr 2019 cbc interior alterations and renovations of an existing 3 story, 2 dwelling units residence with basement. basement conversion to 3rd dwelling unit. certified plan correct…
Line voltage electrical work. add 2 circuits to existing 200 amp service disconnecting means. receptacle outlets: 2 . lighting outlets: 0. specific location: main room.
For permit 101068268: replacement plumbing contractor. new contractor(s) listed under "other applicants and contractors" on permit certificate.
Install solar panels on roof of principal building. roof type: sloped (2:12 to 5:12). inverter output: 5.8 kw. array output: 6.15 kw. includes 13.5 kwh energy storage system. locat…
Scope: nonstructural interior replacement of drywall. locations: 1 residential unit(s), 0 non-residential unit(s), 1st fl unit.