Chicago Solar Express provides same-day or one-business-day permits for standard residential rooftop solar systems up to 25 kilowatts. The state Solar Permit Standardization Act 110 ILCS 75 also caps fees and review times for cities statewide.
The Chicago Department of Buildings runs Solar Express, an over-the-counter electronic permit pathway for typical residential PV systems mounted on simple roofs. Eligibility includes systems under 25 kW, standard inverters, no battery storage above 20 kWh, and no roof-structure modifications. Eligible projects receive same-day issuance. Battery and complex systems route through standard plan review with expanded fire setbacks per NFPA 1 and IFC. Statewide 110 ILCS 75 the Solar Permit Standardization Act caps permit fees, requires online filings, and limits review timelines to three business days for residential. ComEd handles interconnection separately. Chicago waives building permit fees for owner-occupied systems under the City's climate-action policy.
Installing PV without an electrical permit, exceeding plan-review thresholds, or skipping ComEd interconnection triggers MCC 13-12 stop work orders, $500-$2,500 fines, and potential utility disconnection.
Chicago, IL
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See how Chicago's expedited solar permitting rules stack up against other locations.
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