Cook County, IL Sidewalk & Pedestrian Rules: Encroachment Permits (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing provision
- Cook County Code § 66-65
- Driveway permit fee (Level 1)
- $200
- Sidewalk permit fee (Level 3)
- $1,500
- Permit application fee
- $100 nonrefundable
- Daily penalty for unpermitted work
- $100 to $1,000
Summary
Placing driveways, sidewalks, fences or other private structures in a Cook County right-of-way requires a Highway Department permit before any digging or construction begins, with fees running from $200 for a typical driveway to $1,500 for sidewalk work.
No person shall perform any work in the public way, including construction, reconstruction, upgrading, replacement, removal, relocation, modification or maintenance of any facilities, trimming or removal of any vegetation, or any excavation, in the public way, or place materials, equipment, devices, or structures in the public way (whether temporary or permanent) which, in the reasonable judgment of the Highway Department, will or may obstruct the public way, until such person has obtained a permit in accordance with this Division 3.
Full Breakdown
Cook County Code § 66-65 bars anyone from placing materials, equipment, devices or structures in the public way, or performing excavation, construction or maintenance there, until the Highway Department issues a permit. The fee schedule at § 66-102 sets Level 1 permits (most single-family driveways) at $200, Level 3 (most sidewalk construction) at $1,500, and Level 4 (most commercial entrances) at $3,500, plus a $100 nonrefundable application fee. The rule covers public ways under County jurisdiction; the City of Chicago licenses and regulates its own public ways separately.
Violations & Fines
Working in the right-of-way without a permit violates § 66-65(b) and § 66-91, drawing a $100 to $1,000 fine per day the violation continues, on top of any restoration costs the County incurs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this permit apply inside Chicago?
What kind of work triggers the requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cook County
Compare Cook County to another location·View the Illinois sidewalk & pedestrian rules overview
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