Confirm which Chicago titles govern the work, such as Title 14B for new building work, Title 14R for existing buildings, and Title 14N for energy, then check that the code summary and each discipline’s notes cite those titles rather than an ICC edition adopted as-is, and trace the analysis through the plans. AI can flag conflicts; the design professional and the Department of Buildings decide compliance.
What does the Chicago Building Code cover?
The Department of Buildings lists the Chicago Construction Codes as titles of the Municipal Code: 14A Administrative Provisions; 14B, the 2019 Chicago Building Code, based on the 2018 IBC; 14C Conveyance Device Code; 14E Chicago Electrical Code, which incorporates the 2017 NEC; interim fire prevention (14F), fuel gas (14G), mechanical (14M), and plumbing (14P) titles that refer to older code chapters; 14N, the Chicago Energy Transformation Code; 14R, the 2019 Chicago Building Rehabilitation Code, Chicago’s amendments to the 2018 IEBC; and 14X, Minimum Requirements for Existing Buildings. Accessibility requirements are mainly in Title 14B, Chapter 11, and Title 14R.
The Department’s building code page states that the 2019 Chicago Building Code and Rehabilitation Code became mandatory for most permit applications started on or after August 1, 2020. Its energy code page states that the 2022 Chicago Energy Transformation Code, based on the 2021 IECC, applies to projects whose first permit application started on or after November 1, 2022. Both checked October 7, 2026. Parts of the building code page describe the modernization schedule in past tense, so confirm the current version of each interim title before citing it.
Plan review steps, E-Plan submission, and Certified Plan Corrections are on the Chicago plan check guide, and state references on the Illinois page. The model codes have their own guides: IBC, IEBC, NEC, and IECC. Review against the Chicago titles, since the city amends the model text heavily.
Gather the code compliance matrix and the sheets it governs
Collect the code compliance matrix or code summary with the Chicago titles cited, the architectural plans, sections, and life safety plans, the accessibility plans and details, the electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fuel gas drawings, the energy compliance documents, the fire protection drawings, and, for existing buildings, the rehabilitation scope and compliance method.
Consultants who work in several cities often carry ICC or IPC references into Chicago notes. Upload every discipline’s general notes so each citation can be checked against the Chicago title.
Check each Chicago title against the set
| Review question | Sources to compare | Decision to record |
|---|---|---|
| Titles cited | Code compliance matrix, cover sheet, general notes | Confirm the Chicago titles and editions cited agree across documents. |
| New or existing work | Scope of work, demolition and new work plans | Ask the designer to confirm whether Title 14B or 14R governs where both new and existing work appear. |
| Building code analysis | Code compliance matrix, floor plans, life safety plans | Trace occupancy, construction type, and egress into the plans. |
| Interim titles | Mechanical, plumbing, and fuel gas notes | Find notes citing the IMC, IPC, or IFGC where the Chicago interim title governs. |
| Energy | Energy compliance documents, envelope and MEP schedules | Confirm the energy path cited and match its values to the drawings. |
| Accessibility | Accessibility plans, details, compliance matrix | Reconcile accessible routes and elements with the Chicago accessibility provisions cited. |
Accessible details follow the ICC A117.1 guide, energy compliance the ASHRAE 90.1 guide, and the architectural drawing checklist is the working log.
Example: mechanical notes cite the IMC in a Chicago set
Hypothetical example. A new mid-rise building’s code compliance matrix cites the 2019 Chicago Building Code. The mechanical general notes, reused from a suburban project, cite the International Mechanical Code, and the energy notes cite an earlier Chicago energy code.
The code compliance matrix cites the Chicago Construction Codes, while the mechanical notes cite the International Mechanical Code and the energy notes cite an earlier Chicago energy code. Please confirm the mechanical and energy references and coordinate the notes with the Chicago titles that govern.
The mechanical engineer and the energy consultant revise their notes to the Chicago titles, and the design is checked against them. The Department of Buildings decides compliance.
Review a Chicago set with Groundbook
Upload the current drawings and specifications to Groundbook, and state the edition, amendments, and review scope in your instructions. Upload the Chicago Construction Codes titles that govern the work, from the city’s published code or a copy you are licensed to use, with any Department of Buildings rules or bulletins you rely on. See how Groundbook works with local and licensed codes.
Compare the code compliance matrix and cover sheet with the architectural, life safety, accessibility, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fuel gas, energy, and fire protection documents. Flag notes that cite ICC or other model codes where a Chicago title governs, Chicago titles or editions that differ between documents, and existing-building work cited under the wrong title. Use the supplied Chicago titles and cite both sources.
Groundbook links each potential finding to the note or sheet and the Chicago title you uploaded.
Document review does not decide which Chicago titles govern, or replace the design professional or the Department of Buildings.