Chicago has a specific path for reroofing: the Express Permit Program. The city's pages are detailed about who can do the work and what is allowed. This guide pulls out the parts a homeowner needs before comparing quotes.
Short answer: Chicago's Express Permit Program covers reroofing (repair, recover and replacement), and the work must be done by someone holding an Illinois roofing contractor license. The city also lists a page of roofing work that does not require a permit, so check it for your scope.
What the Express Permit Covers
According to the City of Chicago, the Express Permit Program is a streamlined way to get a permit for many types of reroofing work. It covers:
- Roof repair, limited to 25% of the roof area.
- Roof recover (a new layer over one existing layer).
- Roof replacement with no structural work.
Recovering over two or more existing layers, or repairing the roof structure, needs drawings or calculations from an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer.
Rules That Affect Your Quote
- Licensed roofer required. Work by someone without a valid Illinois roofing contractor license is not eligible for the Express Permit.
- Layers. The city's terms say a roof recover is not allowed if the existing roof has two or more applications of roof covering, unless an Illinois-licensed architect or engineer provides a structural report. A recover is also not allowed over water-soaked or deteriorated covering, or over slate or tile.
- Insulation. A full replacement must include insulation as required by the Chicago Energy Transformation Code.
- Solar panels. Existing panels can be removed under the reroofing permit, but putting them back needs a separate permit.
- Existing structure. The contractor must confirm the existing structure can support the new roof covering.
What the Application Asks For
The city lists the property address and PIN, owner details and an emergency contact, details of the work, and the roofing contractor's Illinois license number. At least one photograph of the existing condition is required. For a condominium, the city asks for a letter of approval from the condo association. If the owner acts as the general contractor, the city asks for Form 401 and government-issued ID showing they live at the work address.
⚠️ Not every roofing job needs one. The city points to a separate page on roofing work that does not require a building permit. We could not read the criteria from the pages we reviewed, so check that page, or ask the Department of Buildings, for your exact scope. Fees and inspection steps were also not stated on the pages we reviewed.
Questions to Ask Your Roofer
- "What is your Illinois roofing contractor license number?"
- "Is this a repair, a recover or a full replacement, and does it include structural work?"
- "How many layers are on my roof now?"
- "Who applies for the permit, and is it in the written estimate?"
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Chicago?
Chicago has an Express Permit Program for reroofing, covering repair, recover and replacement. The city also lists roofing work that does not require a building permit, so check that page for your scope. Work must be done by someone with an Illinois roofing contractor license.
How much of a roof can be repaired under Chicago's Express Permit?
The city's terms limit roof repair under the Express Permit to 25% of the area of the existing roof surface.
Can a second layer of shingles go over my old roof in Chicago?
A recover over one existing layer is eligible. A recover is not allowed if the existing roof has two or more applications of covering, unless an Illinois-licensed architect or engineer provides a structural report.
What if I live in a condo in Chicago?
The city asks for a letter of approval from the condominium association with the application.
Do solar panels need a separate permit?
Existing panels can be removed under the reroofing permit, but reinstalling them requires a separate permit, according to the city's terms.
Sources
Facts on this page come from the sources below. Last reviewed October 24, 2026.
- City of Chicago, Guide to Building Permits: Express Permit Program, Reroofing instructions
- City of Chicago, Express Permit Program terms and conditions: Reroofing
Permit rules, fees and timelines change. The city pages we reviewed did not state fee amounts or inspection steps, and one page says two or more layers while another section says three or more, so confirm the layer threshold with the Department of Buildings before you rely on it.
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