Chicago Demolition Utility Disconnect: Who Shuts Off What?

A common assumption on a Chicago teardown is that you call the utility, they shut everything off, and the City is not involved. For sewer and water, the City's checklist says otherwise. For gas and electric, we cannot point to a City requirement, and we will not make one up.

What does the City require for sewer and water?

The City's demolition approval checklist includes two utility items, both needed before a permit issues (City of Chicago):

• Sewer. A Water Management sewer disconnection (cut and seal) permit, or a written determination from Water Management that one is not needed.
• Water. A water disconnection (cut and seal) permit, pulled by a licensed plumbing contractor. The checklist also asks for a hydrant use permit or an alternative water source.

"Cut and seal" means the line is cut at the building and sealed, so the old connection does not stay open to the ground and the sewer. The City's Department of Buildings page requires those permits and an inspection (City of Chicago). So the plumbing contractor is on the job before the demolition crew, not after.

That also tells you who is who. The demolition has to be done by a City-licensed general contractor, but the water cut and seal is pulled by a plumbing contractor. Ask your demolition contractor whether they have a plumber lined up or expect you to find one. Our demolition contractor guide covers what to ask.

What about gas and electric?

This is where we stay careful. The City's demolition page lists water and sewer cut and seal among the approvals. In the text we read, it does not list gas or electric disconnection as a demolition approval (City of Chicago). The Building Code does include a utility connections section among the items a site safety plan must address, which means the topic is not ignored. But we cannot give you a specific City permit step for it.

So the honest answer is: confirm gas and electric disconnection with the Department of Buildings (DOB) and with your gas and electric utilities before demolition starts. Do not assume the demolition permit covers it, and do not assume the crew can cut a live service. A live gas or electric service on a building that is coming down is a safety problem, and it is one to settle in writing.

How to sequence it so nothing stalls

1. Ask your contractor for the utility plan in writing: who handles sewer, water, gas and electric, and in what order.
2. Confirm with the DOB which utility items your permit needs. The list changes, and as of August 10, 2026 demolition applications go through the City's Inspection, Permitting and Licensing Portal, so older instructions may be out of date.
3. Contact your gas and electric utilities directly for their disconnection steps and any lead time. We are not stating a timeline because we have not verified one.
4. Keep the sewer and water permits and inspection records with the demolition file. They are part of what the City checks.

For the full list of approvals around these items, see Chicago demolition permit requirements, or print the permit checklist. The house demolition guide covers the whole sequence, and our demolition crew coordinates the trades so utility work is done before the machine shows up.

Common questions

This article explains general rules and common situations in Chicago. It is not legal advice, and City rules change. For a specific property, check with the Chicago Department of Buildings or a licensed professional.