Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign. Turning a store into a restaurant or a warehouse into a studio is a change of occupancy, with plans, inspections and build-out to code. Outside Chicago, most cities require an occupancy inspection for every new tenant.
Checked Oct 17, 2026 against the agency’s page.
Step 3 of 6: Approve the space
1Set up the business
2Register for tax
3Approve the space
4Get the permits for your kind of business
5Alcohol permits
6Before the first hire
Issued by Your city or county building department.
Sources and dates
City of Chicago Department of Buildings certificates of occupancy page and 2025 permit fee tables. Checked against the agency’s page on the date shown; cities add their own fees.
Questions about opening here.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Yes. Ask the building department whether your space’s last approved use matches yours before you sign.
Your city or county building department.
Step 3 of 6, approve the space. The steps before it: set up the business and register for tax.
Who needs a certificate of occupancy in Illinois? | DoorWorthy
