Chicago does not have one blanket rule that every permit needs a plat of survey. The City's pages name it in two places we can verify: a CDOT residential driveway permit asks for a plat of survey or sketch, and demolition of a building attached to a neighbor needs a survey by an Illinois-licensed land surveyor or a signed letter from the adjoining owner. For any other permit, confirm with the Department of Buildings before you order one.
A plat of survey is a drawing by a licensed land surveyor that shows your lot lines, the building on them and the distances to the edges. Owners often have one from the closing on the property. Whether a Chicago permit asks for it depends on the permit. Here are the two cases we can source, and how to handle the rest.
What the City names
Driveway permits. Any person who owns or operates a driveway in Chicago needs a CDOT driveway permit. The residential application requires a plat of survey or sketch, a photo of the curb cut, apron and sidewalk, homeowner liability coverage naming the City as additional insured, and zoning sign-off for proposed driveways. Note the wording: a plat of survey or a sketch. Check the CDOT page for the current instructions, because they change.
Demolishing a building attached to a neighbor. For an attached building the applicant must submit either a survey by an Illinois-licensed land surveyor showing everything to be demolished is on the applicant's property, or a letter signed by the adjoining owner authorizing the demolition. A design professional must also certify that the adjoining structure needs no bracing, or drawings and the neighbor's written consent are required.
What about additions, dormers and other plan-based work?
We have no verified City rule that says a plat of survey is required for every plan-based permit. When work changes the footprint of a building, such as a rear addition, the architect will usually want to know exactly where the lot lines and existing walls sit. That is a design reason, and zoning approval is required on every Standard Plan Review project (City of Chicago). So even where the survey is not named on a City checklist, your architect or the zoning office may ask for it.
The simple move is to ask before you order. The Department of Buildings or your design professional can tell you whether your permit wants a survey, and whether the one from your closing is good enough or a new one is needed. An old survey may not show a porch, garage or addition added since. Ask a licensed land surveyor if you need an updated one.
What a plat of survey is not
It is not a set of building plans. It does not show the inside of the house or its structure. For work that needs plans, an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer prepares them. For a building with no drawings at all, see as-built drawings. For a roof or attic project, see adding a dormer to a Chicago bungalow.
Akats coordinates drawings with licensed design professionals and builds from them. If a permit is waiting on a survey or plans, our architectural services team can tell you what to gather, and the design-build guide shows how it all fits together.
Common questions
The CDOT residential driveway application asks for a plat of survey or sketch, along with a photo of the curb cut and apron, liability coverage and zoning sign-off for new driveways. Check CDOT's current instructions before you apply, since requirements change.
It may not be. A survey shows the lot as of its date, and a porch, garage or addition built later will not appear. Ask the permit office or your design professional whether your permit accepts it, and ask a licensed land surveyor if an update is needed.
Sources
- City of Chicago, Department of Transportation: Residential Driveway Permit Instructions
- City of Chicago, Department of Buildings: Demolition (Wrecking) Permits
- City of Chicago, Department of Buildings: Standard Plan Review Permit Program
Facts last checked: October 7, 2026.
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.