Illinois / Local permit guide
Chicago Solar Permit Guide
Your local requirements. The official sources. A clearer next step.
- Permit authority
- City of Chicago Department of BuildingsSource linked
- Electric utility
- Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)Source linked
- Local pathway
- Express Permit Program (EPP) for roof-mounted systems under 13.44 kW output; standard plan review otherwiseProject-specific eligibility conditions apply.
- Review time
- 1 daysSee source scope and conditions below.
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Your permit path,
at a glance.
This shows what GridPermit has verified for Chicago. It does not show the status of a specific project.
01 / Know your path
Two approvals.
One project.
A local permit and utility permission to operate are different approvals. Check the local sequence and requirements below.
How to read this guide
GridPermit collects Illinois residential solar and permitting facts directly from official sources (city, county, and state government sites, utilities, and public utilities commissions) and shows only what we can verify, with a confidence score and a link to where it came from. Nothing here is estimated or inferred beyond what's stated below. See our methodology for the rules this page follows.
Permit timeline
1 days
Some supporting official material could not be independently confirmed from the full source in GridPermit's latest review. Verify the current requirement with the authority before relying on it.
Sources & confidence
Battery/solar incentive program on record
ComEd Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate — Energy Storage
Some supporting official material could not be independently confirmed from the full source in GridPermit's latest review. Verify the current requirement with the authority before relying on it.
Status on file: unknown. Verify current status before relying on this.
Sources & confidence
02 / Prepare your application
What you need.
Sources & confidence
Permit fees
- Express Permit Program (EPP) solar PV permit fee: $275 (flat fee)
Per the City's own page: the EPP fee schedule was reduced 25% from $375 to $275 for qualifying projects when the program was improved in 2013. Some supporting official material could not be independently confirmed from the full source in GridPermit's latest review. Verify the current requirement with the authority before relying on it.
Sources & confidence
Rebates on record
Rebates on record
ComEd Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate — Solar
ComEd's own Residential Net Metering FAQ states ComEd offers a Distributed Generation (DG) Rebate of $300 per kW of installed capacity for eligible renewable generation systems.
Status on file: unknown. Verify current status before relying on this.
Sources & confidence
Utility and generation supplier
Utility
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd)
ComEd is the dominant investor-owned electric utility for northern Illinois including the City of Chicago; this record's own permit terms explicitly reference ComEd electrical service connections.
Sources & confidence
Generation supplier
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) (utility)
Some supporting official material could not be independently confirmed from the full source in GridPermit's latest review. Verify the current requirement with the authority before relying on it.
Sources & confidence
Interconnection
https://www.comed.com/smart-energy-innovation/energy-technology/net-metering
The mechanics described here (application process, credit rollover, SREC allocation via the Illinois Power Agency) are treated as still-current process facts; the specific credit VALUE/rate a new applicant receives today should be confirmed directly with ComEd before relying on it. Some supporting official material could not be independently confirmed from the full source in GridPermit's latest review. Verify the current requirement with the authority before relying on it.
Inspection steps
- A pre-submission, in-person existing-condition inspection (structural + electrical) is required before the permit application is even filed
- Post-installation, the system must be inspected by both the Chicago Department of Buildings and ComEd before it may be energized
- A permanent rapid-shutdown label must be installed and verifiable at inspection if the system includes a rapid shutdown system, per the Chicago Fire Prevention Code
- Any existing electrical deficiencies (including grounding/bonding) must be corrected by the licensed electrical contractor before solar equipment is connected
Sources & confidence
Eligibility constraints
- Property types: residential
- Max system size (AC): 13.44 kW
- Max system size (DC): Not yet verified.
- Max thermal capacity: Not yet verified.
- Program/pathway: Express Permit Program (EPP) for roof-mounted systems under 13.44 kW output; standard plan review otherwise
- Other conditions:
- EPP is roof-mounted only — it does not authorize wall-attached or ground-mounted solar PV components
- EPP energy storage systems are capped at 20 kWh (10 kWh for non-lithium-ion batteries); only one installation is allowed per ComEd electrical service connection
- Equipment may not be installed within 3 feet of a residential building's roof edge (4 feet for non-residential/mixed-use)
- Electrical work must be performed by a Chicago-licensed electrical contractor; where required by Illinois law, work must be performed under a certified Illinois distributed generation installer (Illinois Commerce Commission) and roofing work under a valid Illinois roofing contractor license (IL Dept. of Financial and Professional Regulation)
Sources & confidence
Official contacts
Official contacts
- City of Chicago Department of Buildings, official website
- ComEd — Solar/Interconnection (Green Power Connection), email: interconnect@comed.com, official website
Need a solar installer who handles permits in Chicago?
EnergySage is an independent solar marketplace where you can request property-specific pricing from installers familiar with local permitting.
Compare quotes from solar installers →You'll continue on EnergySage's website. GridPermit links to EnergySage as an independent third-party resource. This link is not currently tracked for compensation.
Official sources
Official sources
- Terms and Conditions for Small-Scale Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System (Express Permit Program), City of Chicago, Department of Buildings (government). Accessed 2026-08-13.
- Small Installations and the Easy Permit Process, City of Chicago (government). Accessed 2026-08-13.
- Green Power Connection — Residential Net Metering Frequently Asked Questions (NMR03-23), Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) (utility). Accessed 2026-08-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What utility serves solar customers in Chicago, Illinois?
Commonwealth Edison (ComEd) is the interconnection and distribution utility for Chicago. The same utility is also listed as the default electricity generation supplier.
How long does a residential solar permit take in Chicago?
Some supporting official material could not be independently confirmed from the full source in GridPermit's latest review. Verify the current requirement with the authority before relying on it.
What documents are required for a solar permit in Chicago?
Commonly required documents include: Structural design prepared and stamped by an Illinois-licensed architect or structural engineer; In-person existing-condition inspection report confirming (1) the structural capacity of the existing roof and (2) the condition of the existing electrical system, performed by the licensed architect/structural engineer or someone under their responsible control; Manufacturer's installation instructions for all primary electrical equipment (must be NRTL-listed and labeled).
Who do I contact about solar permits in Chicago?
City of Chicago Department of Buildings.