Updated : 04/22/2024

Overview

Chicago, IL enforces the following codes:

• The 2019 Chicago Building Code which adopts by reference the 2018 International Building Code, including Appendices D, E, and S. Chicago, IL Muni. Code § 14B-1-001 (adoption) with amendments throughout Title 14B. The 2019 Chicago Building Code includes codes and amendments for residential and commercial buildings.
• The 2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code which adopts by reference the 2018 Existing Building Code. Chicago, IL Muni. Code § 14R-1-001 (adoption) with amendments throughout Title 14R.
• The 2019 Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings. Chicago, IL Muni. Code Title 14X. Some provisions of the Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings have been based on the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code and Chapter 11 of the 2018 International Fire Code.

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The Chicago Building Code can be found at https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/chicago/latest/chicago_il/0-0-0-2579168. A nice pdf version of the 2019 CBC can be found here.

Chicago rules regarding single-family dwellings are a bit confusing for anyone accustomed to the International Residential Code (IRC), which is intended for one and two-family dwellings. Chicago recently adopted the 2018 IBC with amendments but not the IRC.

A good explanation is found on page XIX, Effective Use of the COde.

• “The CBC applies to the construction of all building types, from garden sheds to skyscrapers, including one- and two-family dwellings, which in some jurisdictions are regulated under a separate residential code. In the CBC, one- to three-unit residential buildings up to four stories above grade, intended primarily for nontransient residents, are classified as Group R-5 and several special rules or exceptions have been added to address this occupancy type.”

Another helpful explanation regarding single-family homes can be found in a good article, Steven Vance, Meet R-5, The New, Chicago-Only Building Code Occupancy Classification (September 16, 2019).

Existing Buildings must also follow Title 14R – Chicago Rehabilitation Code, which incorporates the 2018 International Existing Building Code.

Section 14R-3-306 on Reroofing will likely be of interest to insurers. It contains a 25% rule.

Helpful resources for Chicago, Illinois include the following.

• PLRB, Ordinance and Law Coverage Discussion for Illinois

Residential Building Code

Illinois has yet to adopt a statewide residential code. Local laws will control.See PLRB, Illinois Building Codes for more information on state level codes.

Chicago adopted the 2019 Chicago Building CodeYou can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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See Amlegal(Chicago, IL 14N-R4-R402 Building thermal envelope.)

...Revise Section R402.2.10.1 by deleting "or International Residential Code , as applicable" and replacing "6 inches (153 mm)" with "12 inches (305 mm)." 15. Revise the exception to Section R402.2.12, item 1 to read: "The minimum ceiling insulation R -value shall be R- 24." 16. Insert a new Section R402.2.13 to read: " R402.2.13 Balconies and parapets....

Drip Edge

Drip Edge: yes

Ice Barrier

Are ice barriers required for Chicago ? Yes
Citation: Chicago, IL Muni. Code § 1507.1.2.
Municipal Code https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/CHIBC20190520S/chapter-15-roof-assemblies-and-rooftop-structures

Comments

Chicago, IL enforces the 2019 Chicago Building Code which adopts by reference the 2018 International Building Code, including Appendices D, E, and S. Chicago, IL Muni. Code § 14B-1-001 (adoption) with amendments throughout Title 14B. The 2019 Chicago Building Code includes codes and amendments for residential and commercial buildings.

Existing Buildings

Existing buildings, meaning buildings that were built in accordance to code at the time of construction, typically merit extra consideration in a current updated code.

Chicago, IL enforces the following codes:

• The 2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code which adopts by reference the 2018 Existing Building Code. Chicago, IL Muni. Code § 14R-1-001 (adoption) with amendments throughout Title 14R.
• The 2019 Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings. Chicago, IL Muni. Code Title 14X. Some provisions of the Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings have been based on the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code and Chapter 11 of the 2018 International Fire Code.

Commercial Building Code

Chicago adopted the 2018 IBC, locally. Note that adoptions usually come with amendments. So, it is important to review those amendments in addition to the unamended model code.

You can find a copy of the code here.You can find information about amendments to the model code here.

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See Amlegal(Chicago, IL Municipal Code)

...Adoption not found...

Comments

Chicago, IL enforces the 2019 Chicago Building Code which adopts by reference the 2018 International Building Code, including Appendices D, E, and S. Chicago, IL Muni. Code § 14B-1-001 (adoption) with amendments throughout Title 14B.

Existing Buildings

Chicago, IL enforces the following codes:

• The 2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code which adopts by reference the 2018 Existing Building Code. Chicago, IL Muni. Code § 14R-1-001 (adoption) with amendments throughout Title 14R.
• The 2019 Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings. Chicago, IL Muni. Code Title 14X. Some provisions of the Chicago Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings have been based on the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code and Chapter 11 of the 2018 International Fire Code.

Other Building Codes