| Code analysis | Every drawing set must include a Chicago Zoning Ordinance compliance matrix and a Chicago Construction Codes compliance matrix or narrative that points the reviewer to the sheet where each requirement is met, and the front matter must prominently list the edition of each code used. | — | Cover sheet / code compliance matrix sheet | E-Plan Create Drawings checklist, Front Matter section |
| Code analysis | The compliance matrix calls for stating both the proposed and existing occupancy classification(s) and flagging any special occupancy conditions that apply. | 14B-3-302.1; 14R-3-302.6; Chapter 14B-3; Chapter 14B-4 | Code compliance matrix / cover sheet | Sample Code Compliance Matrix (rev. 7/29/2020), items B.03.01-B.04.01 |
| Occupant load and egress width | Occupant load calculations and egress capacity (width) calculations must both be shown, not just the resulting exit counts. | 14B-10-1004.1; 14B-10-1005.1 | Code analysis sheet; egress plan | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.10.01-B.10.02 |
| Travel distance and common path | Drawings must demonstrate compliance with the common path of egress travel distance table and the overall exit access travel distance limit for each space. | Table 14B-10-1006.2.1; 14B-10-1017.2 | Egress / life-safety plan | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.10.03 and B.10.11 |
| Number and separation of exits | The matrix asks whether the project is relying on a single-exit condition and requires the separation between an exit and its exit access to be shown and dimensioned. | 14B-10-1005.3.3; 14B-10-1007.1 | Egress plan | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.10.04-B.10.05 |
| Number and separation of exits | Phase 3 of the Construction Codes Modernization (adopted June 17, 2026) authorizes space-saving stairway designs intended to preserve simultaneous occupant evacuation and emergency response while allowing more flexible apartment layouts, alongside amendments extending some four-story sprinklered-building provisions to five-story buildings. | — | Egress plan; stair plans and sections | DOB/Mayor's Press Office release, Phase 3 Construction Codes Modernization (April 15, 2026), 'Build More Housing' section |
| Stairs, handrails, and guards | Handrail and guard details must be shown on the drawings to satisfy the stair and ramp handrail/guard provisions. | 14B-10-1014; 14B-10-1015 | Stair plans, sections and details | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, item B.10.10 |
| Fire-rated assemblies | Fire wall, occupancy separation, fire area separation, control area, incidental use, dwelling unit separation and corridor/smoke barrier ratings must each be identified, along with the rating and continuity of vertical shaft enclosures. | 14B-7-706 through 14B-7-713 (various subsections) | Fire/life-safety plan; wall type legend; rated assembly details | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.07.05-B.07.16 |
| Rated openings and penetrations | Openings and penetrations in shaft enclosures, penetrations of other rated construction, opening protectives (doors/windows), and duct or air-transfer openings must each be addressed on the drawings. | 14B-7-713.7-.8; 14B-7-714; 14B-7-716; 14B-7-717 | Rated assembly details; door and damper schedules | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.07.17-B.07.20 |
| Fire separation distance | Exterior wall fire-resistance rating, wall projections, wall openings and parapets are checked against tables keyed to the wall's fire separation distance, tying the code analysis back to the property-line dimensions shown on the site plan. | Tables 14B-6-601, 14B-6-602; 14B-7-705.2, .8, .11 | Site plan (property-line dimensions); exterior elevations; code analysis sheet | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.07.01-B.07.04 |
| Accessible toilet rooms | For alterations affecting an area containing a primary function, the MOPD form separately confirms whether accessible toilets and an accessible drinking fountain are provided along the route to the altered primary function. | Chapter 14B-11; ICC A117.1-2009; 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code | Enlarged restroom plans; accessibility route plan | MOPD Project Data Form, Schedule (A), Alterations Affecting an Area Containing a Primary Function |
| Path of travel in alterations | Alterations affecting an area with a primary function trigger a path-of-travel obligation capped at 20% of the cost of alterations to that area; the MOPD form has the architect calculate that 20% figure and certify compliance directly on the form. | Chapter 14B-11; Section 14R-3-305 | Cover sheet / accessibility compliance data | MOPD Project Data Form, Schedule (B), Total Cost of Alterations Affecting an Area Containing a Primary Function calculation |
| Deferred submittals | A project needing a variance from the Chicago Electrical Code can request Administrative Relief to obtain the permit subject to a later review and approval of shop drawings, such as for electrical switchgear, instead of holding up the entire permit for that item. | — | Electrical general notes; permit application | Standard Plan Review - Project Submittal Checklist (rev. 5/13/10), Electrical Items Required, Administrative Relief Request Letters |
| Sheet coordination | Every sheet other than the cover needs a uniform title block aligned to the bottom or right edge, listing the same project address used on the permit application and a revision history whose entries are each clouded and keyed to a dated change; the set also needs a sheet index up front. | — | Title blocks of all sheets; cover sheet index | E-Plan Create Drawings checklist, Front Matter and Title Block sections |
| Allowable height and area | The matrix requires the grade plane, building height and number of stories above grade plane, and total building area to be shown, including any frontage increase claimed and how excluded basements were counted. | 14B-2-203.2 through .4; 14B-5-504.3-.4; 14B-5-506; 14B-5-506.1.3; 14B-5-506.3 | Code analysis sheet; exterior elevations; building sections | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.05.01-B.05.07 |
| Allowable height and area | Mixed-occupancy buildings must state which mixed-occupancy strategy is used and identify any accessory occupancies or incidental uses factored into the area/height analysis. | 14B-5-508; 14B-5-508.2; 14B-5-509 | Code analysis sheet | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.05.08-B.05.10 |
| Accessible route and entrances | The MOPD project data form separately tracks whether an accessible route runs from the parking lot to an accessible entry, the accessible entry itself, and the count of accessible parking spaces provided. | Chapter 14B-11; ICC A117.1-2009; 2018 Illinois Accessibility Code | Site plan; accessible-route plan | MOPD Project Data Form (rev. 1/2/2020), Schedule (A) |
| Structural calculations and signatures | Every drawing sheet must carry the seal (with license number and license expiration date) and the adjacent signature and date of an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer; electronic seals and signatures are accepted. | Section 14A-4-411.4.1 | Title block of every sheet | E-Plan Create Drawings checklist, 'Include an Illinois-licensed design professional's seal and signature on every sheet' |
| Geotechnical report | Projects meeting the Chicago Building Code's geotechnical thresholds must include a geotechnical report addressing the applicable subsurface investigation and reporting requirements. | 14B-18-1803.1; 14B-18-1803.6 | Foundation plan; structural general notes | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, item B.18.01 |
| Energy compliance | The drawings must include energy code compliance data, with a Registered Energy Professional signing an Energy Transformation Code statement of compliance (or a 'Need Not Comply' statement) on the current residential or commercial compliance form. | Section 14A-4-411.3.13 | Energy compliance sheet; cover sheet statement | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, item N.01.01; Guide to Building Permits Forms and Documents (Form 408C/408R) |
| Energy compliance | Phase 3's 2026 Chicago Energy Transformation Code update aligns Chicago's energy-efficiency requirements with newer national model-code standards, adds clarity on applying energy rules to renovation projects, and keeps the electrification-ready and solar-ready requirements first adopted in 2022. | — | Energy compliance sheet; mechanical/electrical general notes | DOB/Mayor's Press Office release, Phase 3 Construction Codes Modernization, 'Save More Energy' section |
| Green building | Chicago folds most of its sustainability requirements into the Energy Transformation Code rather than a separate green code; the electrification-ready and solar-ready wiring/piping provisions retained from the 2022 code are the main 'green building' items checked at permit. | — | Energy/electrical general notes | DOB/Mayor's Press Office release, Phase 3 Construction Codes Modernization, 'Save More Energy' section |
| Plumbing fixture count | Plumbing plans need a fixture schedule listing the type, count and location of every new fixture, consistent with the plumbing fixture-count section of the Municipal Code's plumbing chapter. | Municipal Code of Chicago 18-29-403.1 | Plumbing plans; fixture schedule | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, item P.04.01 |
| Fire sprinklers and alarms | The compliance matrix requires stating whether an automatic sprinkler system, an alternative automatic extinguishing system, a standpipe system, and a fire alarm system are provided, each tied to its own Chicago Building Code section. | 14B-9-903.2; 14B-9-904.2; 14B-9-905.3; 14B-9-907.2 | Fire protection plans; code analysis sheet | Sample Code Compliance Matrix, items B.09.02-B.09.06 |
| Fire sprinklers and alarms | Phase 3's pro-housing amendments let five-story apartment buildings with a full automatic sprinkler system use construction provisions previously limited to four-story buildings, and give more flexibility for converting fully sprinklered buildings to residential use. | — | Code analysis sheet; fire protection plans | DOB/Mayor's Press Office release, Phase 3 Construction Codes Modernization, 'Build More Housing' section |
| Site plan information | A fully dimensioned site plan is required, showing property lines, every structure with its stories and use, curb cuts, parking and loading areas, landscaping, walks, alleys, fencing and trash enclosures, consistent with a current stamped property survey. | — | Site plan; property survey | DPD Plan Examination page, documentation required for zoning plan review |