The feasibility period is your window to assess a site’s true potential before committing to design and construction expenses. In Chicago, understanding permitting timelines, zoning reviews, fee structures, and departmental coordination during this early phase is vital to reduce delays, accurately budget, and make informed go/no‑go decisions.

Checking Zoning & Site Plan Requirements

• Identify your site’s zoning district and permitted uses via the City’s Zoning Ordinance.

• Determine if the project needs Site Plan Review—required to assess compatibility of building placement, curb cuts, landscaping, and façades—which must be approved by the Zoning Administrator within 30 days of a complete application

• For planned developments, expect multiple steps, including initial filing, public hearings (Plan Commission within 7 days), City Council review, and associated fees

Plan Check Type & Application Pathways

• Small projects (e.g., minor commercial upgrades, residential repairs, fences) may qualify for Easy Permit or Self‑Certification paths. Easy Permits are often issued same day at City Hall Room 900; Self‑Certification allows licensed architects/engineers to submit drawings and stamp plans for eligible projects scoutservices.com+2chicago.gov+2milrose.com+2.

• Standard Plan Review is required for new buildings, renovations, alterations, and work requiring architectural plans. Applications are submitted via E‑Plan, assigned to a Project Manager, and routed to all relevant code disciplines chicago.gov+1chicago.gov+1.

• Large or complex developments (over 80 ft high, >150k sf non‑residential, >50 units, or deep excavations) use the Developer Services Program with third‑party reviews and a dedicated admin at City Hall ipi.cityofchicago.org+7chicago.gov+7chicago.gov+7.

Estimating Review Timelines

• Chicagoland’s “Cut the Tape” reforms have improved transparency and process alignment chicago.gov+4chicago.gov+4chicago.gov+4.

• Standard Commercial permit reviews generally take 5–8 weeks for pre‑screening and initial review, plus full plan review (up to ~90 business days) scoutservices.com.

• Overall timeline—from application to permit issuance—typically averages around 70 days, depending on complexity and whether an expediter is used milrose.com.

Fee Structure & Payment

• Review permit and inspection fee schedules online; fees vary by project type and size scoutservices.com+8ipi.cityofchicago.org+8chicago.gov+8.

• Under homeowner or “New Homes for Chicago” programs, certain fees may be reduced or waived ($0.50/sf review fee for planned developments; water/sewer taps waived under programs) chicago.gov+1sfplanning.org+1.

• Plan approval may require third‑party peer review at developer expense for structural or large projects .

Coordination with City Departments

• Standard applications may require clearance from key agencies: Buildings, Zoning, Transportation (driveway/public way), Water, Landscape, Fire, and others, coordinated through the assigned Project Manager .

• Schedule early coordination meetings for complex or large projects via Developer Services to align on interdepartmental requirements, timelines, and approvals .

Using Expedite Programs

• Consider hiring a registered expediter or leveraging Self‑Certification/Easy Permit programs when eligible to reduce time and administrative burden scoutservices.com+2chicago.gov+2milrose.com+2.

• For affordable housing and public land projects, priority funding and expedited review may be available through the “Cut the Tape” initiative chicago.gov+4chicago.gov+4chicago.gov+4.

Checklist of Feasibility Period Tasks

• Confirm zoning district and allowed uses

• Determine if Site Plan Review or Planned Development is necessary

• Select review path (Easy, Self‑Cert, Standard, Developer Services)

• Submit zoning and concept materials for preliminary feedback

• Request fee estimate and budget for peer reviews

• Schedule intake meeting or call for complex sites

• Track initial pre‑screen (~1–2 weeks) and full review timeline (5–12 weeks)

• Plan for revisions based on reviewer comments

• Prepare to pay fees and print permit on approval

Call to Action

A feasibility assessment should include zoning verification, concept site plan, permit path selection, fee estimates, and a realistic timeline. We offer services to develop a preliminary site plan, coordinate with Chicago officials, and produce a feasibility roadmap so you can move confidently into design and investment.