The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) accepts electronic permit applications through the permit portal at ipi.cityofchicago.org.
The permit portal allows users to manage their permits 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Users will need to create an account before applying for permits (the permit portal features instructions on how to create an account). You can apply for the following permit types on the portal:
Permit Type
Activities
DOT Construction Canopy
Issued for scaffolding erected on the public way.
DOT Dumpster
Issued for large rollaway dumpsters most often observed at construction sites.
DOT Miscellaneous
Issued for activities including newspaper stands, “helicopter lifts” (using a helicopter to land HVAC units on the roof of skyscrapers), and “freight tunnel” (allowing contractors access to the City’s freight tunnels for cable runs).
DOT Occupy the Public Right of Way
Issued to contractors to obstruct the public way (with barricades, work vehicles, etc.).
DOT Public Way Opening
Issued to contractors to open the public way, provided they have also acquired a dig ticket.
DOT Special Event
Issued for special events in the public way including parades, movie crews, block parties, outdoor dining, and athletic events.
DOT Truck Routing
Issued for semitrucks and other large vehicles to travel along approved corridors.
DOT Driveway
Issued for commercial (annual fee) and residential (no annual fee) driveways.
You can also find permit data on ChiStreetWork and the Chicago Data Portal. Please be advised that permit fees may change year-to-year. It is incumbent upon permittees to review the Permit Fee Schedule prior to applying for a permit. By applying for a permit, permittees acknowledge and accept the fees posted in the Permit Fee Schedule. In addition, please review the following information related to CDOT permits.
To access the online permit portal click: ipi.cityofchicago.org