Fence or deck costs in Chicago

If your Chicago home has a wooden back porch, the city draws clear lines on when porch work needs a permit. Routine upkeep like power washing or painting doesn't. If you haven't been cited for a code violation, you can also replace deck boards, stair treads or railing pickets without one. A residential porch less than 6 feet off the ground, with no more than 50 square feet of landing, can be repaired or replaced without a permit too.

Structural work is a different story. Columns, beams, foundations, stringers and floor joists always need a building permit, and the plans must be prepared by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer. If your contractor is talking about a full porch rebuild, that drawing step is part of the job.

Fences come with their own math. On a residential lot, the city generally limits a fence to 6 feet. In the required front setback, the limit is 54 inches for any fence more than 20 percent solid. Height is measured from the lowest ground within 12 inches on either side of the fence, so on a slope, measure from the low side. Posts may stand up to 6 inches taller. The city's permit terms also say a fence has to withstand 30 pounds per square foot of wind from any direction, and a brick or stone wall must be built by a Chicago-licensed mason.