It depends on the roof. The City of Chicago exempts repair, recover and replacement on pitched roofs (at least 2:12) of residential buildings up to four stories, and exempts patching up to 25 percent of the roof when no part of an exterior wall or roof is cut away. Low-slope (flat) roof work and structural repair need a permit. Most reroofing permits go through the Express Permit Program, and the roofer must hold an Illinois roofing license.
If you are shopping for a Chicago roofing permit answer, here it is: it depends on the slope of the roof, how much of it you are replacing, and what is already on it. Many owners get told "no permit needed" by a roofer who has only worked pitched roofs. On a flat roof, that is often wrong. The City's own pages draw the lines, and this article walks them in plain English.
What the City says needs no permit
Chicago publishes a list of work that does not need a building permit. For roofing, two items matter.
Pitched roofs on small residential buildings. On residential buildings up to four stories (and accessory buildings like garages), the City lists roof repair, recover or replacement on roofs with a pitch of at least 2:12 as exempt. Structural repair and any low-slope work still need a permit (City of Chicago).
Small patches. A permit is not required for roof repair limited to 25 percent of the roof area on any building, if no part of an exterior wall or roof is cut away (City of Chicago).
Exempt work still has to meet the construction codes. And these statements come from a City page that changes, so confirm the current wording with the Department of Buildings before you rely on them.
Why a flat roof is different
The City is explicit: a permit is required for any structural roof repair and any work on low-slope roofs, even on residential buildings up to four stories. Only pitched roofs (at least 2:12) are no-permit for repair, recover or replacement (City of Chicago).
Chicago two-flats, three-flats and many commercial buildings have flat or very low-slope roofs. So the "no permit" shortcut that applies to a pitched shingle roof does not carry over. If you have a flat roof, assume reroofing needs a permit and let the Department of Buildings tell you otherwise.
One thing we cannot reconcile for you: the small-patch exemption above applies to "any building," while the low-slope rule says any work on a low-slope roof needs a permit. Both appear on the City's pages. If you only want a patch on a flat roof, call the Department of Buildings and get the answer for your roof before work starts.
The Express Reroofing Permit
For roofs that do need a permit, most go through the Express Permit Program, the online system that replaced the old paper Easy Permit process in November 2023 (City of Chicago). The City's Express reroofing page lists as eligible (City of Chicago):
- roof repair limited to 25 percent of the roof area,
- a roof recover over one existing layer, and
- roof replacement with no structural work.
It also lists what is not eligible:
- anyone without a valid Illinois roofing contractor license doing the work,
- a building with an unpermitted rooftop feature, for example an unpermitted roof deck,
- materials or methods that do not meet Building Code minimums, and
- work that does not meet the Energy Transformation Code insulation minimums.
On that last point, reroofing must meet the Chicago Energy Transformation Code insulation minimums, and Express reroofing is not available for work that does not comply (City of Chicago). We do not quote insulation numbers here; ask your roofer what the current code requires for your roof.
When you need drawings
Some roofing jobs leave Express and need drawings by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. The City lists two: adding another layer over two or more existing layers, and structural repairs to the roof structure (City of Chicago). Express covers a recover over one existing layer, and anything beyond that needs drawings (City of Chicago). The City's architect and engineer rules also name roof structural repairs and a reroof recover over two or more existing layers among the specific triggers (City of Chicago).
We have not found a single layer cap in the pages we read, so do not take a "you can only have two layers" claim at face value. The City's wording is about what gets drawings. See our guide on layers and insulation and the shorter roof repair permit answer.
Who can pull the permit
Two licenses are in play.
The roofing license. Illinois requires a roofing license from the state (IDFPR) to provide roofing services or hold out as a roofing contractor. Roofing and waterproofing work may be done only by a licensed roofing contractor or qualifying party, and roofers may subcontract only to licensed roofers (Illinois law). There are two license types: limited (residential properties of 8 units or less) and unlimited (Illinois law). The law excepts a person doing roofing work to their own property, or for no consideration (Illinois law), and the permit issuer has to confirm the contractor is licensed before issuing the permit.
The Chicago general contractor license. The City's Express reroofing page also requires a Chicago-licensed general contractor (Class A to E by project cost) unless the owner qualifies as owner-contractor, and the GC or roofing subcontractor must hold a valid Illinois roofing license (City of Chicago).
You can check a license yourself. The City has a contractor license lookup, and the state agency (IDFPR) is the lookup for roofers (City of Chicago).
The usual trouble is the quiet kind: a crew replaces a flat roof as if it were a shingle roof, no permit is pulled, and the owner finds out when a buyer's inspector or a 311 complaint asks for the paperwork. The roof itself may be fine. The missing permit is what costs time.
What else the permit does not cover
A permit for the roof is not a permit for what sits on the sidewalk below. A dumpster, scaffolding or stored materials in the street, alley or sidewalk need a separate permit from the Chicago Department of Transportation (City of Chicago). Ask who is arranging that.
If the City finds work underway without a required permit, it can post a stop work order. Work resumes only after the permit is issued and the stop-work penalty is paid, the permit fee is tripled in most cases, and the City can open an enforcement case. You may also have to correct or remove work at your own expense (City of Chicago). Rules and fees change, so confirm current details with the Department of Buildings.
What to ask before you hire
- Is my roof pitched (2:12 or more) or low-slope, and does that change the permit?
- Who is pulling the permit, and what is the permit number?
- What is your Illinois roofing license number, and can I look it up?
- How many layers are on the roof now, and does that change anything?
- Does anything on the roof, like a deck, need its own permit first?
- Who handles the dumpster and street permits?
When you want a straight read on your roof, our roofing crew can look at it, and the Chicago roofing guide covers the rest.
Common questions
It depends. Replacing a pitched roof (at least 2:12) on a residential building up to four stories is on the City's no-permit list. Flat or low-slope roof work, and any structural repair, needs a permit. Confirm your case with the Department of Buildings.
The City says a permit is required for any work on low-slope roofs, even on residential buildings up to four stories. Only pitched roofs of at least 2:12 are on the no-permit list for repair, recover or replacement. For a small flat-roof patch, check first.
It is the Express Permit Program path for repair up to 25 percent of the roof, a recover over one existing layer, or a replacement with no structural work. It requires an Illinois-licensed roofer and work that meets Building Code and Energy Transformation Code minimums.
Yes. Illinois law makes it unlawful to provide professional roofing services or hold out as a roofing contractor without an IDFPR license, with exceptions such as a person working on their own property. The permit issuer must confirm the contractor is licensed.
The City's Express page covers a recover over one existing layer. Adding a layer over two or more existing layers needs drawings by an Illinois architect or structural engineer. Ask your roofer how many layers are there now.
Sources
- City of Chicago: Express Permit Program: Reroofing
- City of Chicago: Guide to Building Permits: What Types of Work Do Not Require a Building Permit?
- Illinois General Assembly: Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335/9
- Illinois General Assembly: Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335/3
- Illinois General Assembly: Roofing Industry Licensing Act, 225 ILCS 335/11
- City of Chicago: Guide to Building Permits: When Is a Licensed Architect or Engineer Required?
- City of Chicago, Department of Buildings: Trade Licensing
- City of Chicago: Guide to Building Permits: What Happens If I Start Work Without a Required Permit?
- City of Chicago, Department of Buildings: Express 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.