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Codes & permits

Chicago sewer and water service permits

Work on the building sewer and the water service line follows its own rules in Chicago — separate from ordinary interior plumbing permits.

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change and official sources control. Confirm with the agency named before starting work.

Sewer permits

A Department of Buildings sewer permit is required to connect to, construct, alter, repair, rod or clean sewers. Only licensed drainlayers can obtain one. Exceptions allow in-kind replacement of up to 20 feet of existing sewer or rodding of a public sewer when the licensed drainlayer calls it in.

Source: City of Chicago DOB — Sewer Permits

Licensed plumbing contractors can obtain a courtesy drainlayer license (since January 1, 2022). Drainlayers must be bonded and insured.

Source: City of Chicago DOB — Drainlayer License

Other agencies

Depending on scope and location, permits may also be required from the Chicago Department of Transportation (work in the public way) and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. Projects that are Regulated Developments under the Stormwater Management Ordinance need stormwater review first.

Source: City of Chicago DOB — Sewer Permits

Water service lines

Water service line from the street main to the meterCross-section: the water main under the street connects to a service line that runs under the parkway, past a curb stop valve, through the foundation wall to a shutoff valve and the water meter inside the building. BASEMENT WATER MAINSTREETPARKWAY M 1234
Diagram The parts of a water service line. In Chicago, many service lines are known or suspected to contain lead.
  1. Service line — material may be lead, galvanized, copper or other; check the City inventory.
  2. Curb stop / buffalo box — a valve typically in the parkway, operated by the utility.
  3. Inside shutoff valve — know where yours is before an emergency.
  4. Water meter. Where City and owner responsibilities split varies — confirm with your water utility (311 in Chicago).
Simplified schematic, not to scale. Actual layouts vary by building.

Chicago’s Department of Water Management publishes a service line inventory and runs lead service line programs, including replacement when a line breaks or leaks (report it to 311). Lead service lines in Chicago

What we could not confirm

  • Current sewer permit fees.
  • Where responsibility for the service line splits between the City and the owner for a given property — ask DWM / 311.

Check with the official source before relying on these points.

Frequently asked questions

Can my plumber pull a sewer permit?

Only if they hold a drainlayer license — licensed plumbing contractors can get a courtesy drainlayer license.

Do I need a permit to rod my sewer?

Sewer rodding is covered by the sewer permit rules; the City lists a call-in exception for licensed drainlayers. Ask your provider how they handle it.

Sources

  1. City of Chicago DOB — Sewer Permits Official / primary
  2. City of Chicago DOB — Drainlayer License Official / primary
  3. City of Chicago Department of Water Management Official / primary

Information can change; official sources control.

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