Chicago Building Permits Scraper

🏗️ Find Chicago building permits by location, work, or permit ID

Construction teams, property researchers, and civic-data developers can search the official City of Chicago Building Permits dataset and save matching permits as structured dataset rows. Review permit status, milestone, work type, project cost, job address, fees, source-published contacts, and source links in one place. Use filters for one Chicago search, or look up one exact permit ID.

• Search the city records with City of Chicago Building Permits and review matching permits.
• Review construction work with Chicago Construction Permits and compare each project's scope and cost.
• Find a job by address with City of Chicago Permits Search by Address and inspect its source-linked details.
• Group matching records with Chicago Permits by Ward for ward-level project review.
• Find roofing work with Chicago Roof Permits and compare the published scope and cost.
• Check a published status with Chicago Permit Status and review its milestone.
• Open one exact record with Chicago Permit Lookup using its permit ID.

📋 Structured Chicago permit rows

Every saved row represents one matching source permit. It keeps the published permit ID, status, milestone, classification, dates, job location, project description, reported cost, fee breakdown, contact roles, and source details. Dates, amounts, durations, and coordinates use consistent JSON types where the source provides them. Chicago values that are not published remain unavailable; the Actor does not invent contact or project data.

▶️ Search Chicago permits your way

Run flow

1. Choose Search permits for a filtered Chicago search, or Look up a permit for one exact published permit ID.
2. Add any date, status, classification, location, contact, project-text, or cost filters that fit your question.
3. Choose All matching permits or New permits since prior run in Search mode.
4. Set Maximum permits when you want an upper bound on saved permits. Leave it empty to return all available results until the source is exhausted.
5. Start the run and open the default dataset to review the saved rows and their source links.

Search fields narrow one Chicago query. For a repeat search, newSincePreviousRun asks for permits newly available since the prior run. A source item is saved on its first eligible match; if it appears again through another submitted value, later matches are ignored and the saved row keeps the first match's source context.

⚙️ Input

Input fields

Field	Type	What it does
target	string	Choose search for matching permits or permit for one exact permit lookup. Fields for the other target are ignored.
searchMode	string	Choose all for all matching permits or newSincePreviousRun for permits newly available since the prior run. If omitted, all matching permits are used.
projectSearch	string	Optional text to find in the published project description.
issueDateFrom	date string	Optional first issue date to include, in YYYY-MM-DD format.
issueDateTo	date string	Optional last issue date to include, in YYYY-MM-DD format.
permitStatuses	array of strings	Optional published permit statuses to include. Leave empty to include every status.
permitTypes	array of strings	Optional published permit types to include. Leave empty to include all permit types.
reviewTypes	array of strings	Optional published review types to include. Leave empty to include all review types.
workTypes	array of strings	Optional published work types to include. Leave empty to include all work types.
wards	array of strings	Optional Chicago ward numbers to include. Leave empty to include all wards.
communityAreas	array of strings	Optional Chicago community area numbers to include. Leave empty to include all community areas.
street	string	Optional street text to match in the published job address.
address	string	Optional full address text to match in the published job address.
owner	string	Optional owner name text to match in published permit contacts.
applicant	string	Optional applicant name text to match in published permit contacts.
contractor	string	Optional contractor name text to match in published permit contacts.
contactName	string	Optional name text to match in any published contact entry.
contactZip	string	Optional ZIP code to match in published contact entries.
minProjectCost	number	Optional lowest reported project cost to include, in USD.
maxProjectCost	number	Optional highest reported project cost to include, in USD.
maxItems	integer	Optional stop after this many matching permits. Leave empty to return all available results until the source is exhausted.
permitId	string	Required when target is permit; enter one exact published Chicago permit ID.

Leave optional filters empty when you want the source's full available range. issueDateFrom and issueDateTo use calendar dates. permitStatuses, permitTypes, reviewTypes, and workTypes use the values published by Chicago.

Successful search input

This is the public input from a successful current-beta search run:

{
  "target": "search",
  "searchMode": "all",
  "projectSearch": "roof",
  "maxItems": 5
}

🧾 Output

Run output

Field	Type	What it does
dataset	URL string	Links to the default Apify dataset that contains the successful Chicago building permit rows.

Search and exact permit lookup use the same dataset row shape. Fields can be omitted when Chicago does not publish a value for that source row.

Dataset row fields

Field	Type	What it does
permitId	string	Published identifier for the Chicago building permit.
status	string	Published permit status.
milestone	string	Published permit milestone.
classification	object	Published permit, review, and work classifications.
classification.permitType	string	Published permit type.
classification.reviewType	string	Published review type.
classification.workType	string	Published work classification.
timing	object	Published dates and normalized processing duration.
timing.applicationDate	date string	Date when the permit application started.
timing.issueDate	date string	Date when the permit was issued.
timing.processingDurationDays	number	Normalized days from application to issue.
property	object	Published job location and property details.
property.address	object	Published address parts for the job.
property.address.full	string	Full published job address.
property.address.streetNumber	string	Published street number, when present.
property.address.streetDirection	string	Published street direction, when present.
property.address.streetName	string	Published street name, when present.
property.address.streetSuffix	string	Published street suffix, when present.
property.address.city	string	City in the published job address, when present.
property.address.state	string	State in the published job address, when present.
property.address.zipCode	string	ZIP code in the published job address, when present.
property.ward	integer	Published Chicago ward number.
property.communityArea	integer	Published Chicago community area number.
property.propertyIdentifiers	array of objects	Published property identifiers.
property.propertyIdentifiers[]	object	One property identifier.
property.propertyIdentifiers[].type	string	Source label for the property identifier.
property.propertyIdentifiers[].value	string	Published property identifier value.
property.censusArea	object	Published census area details.
property.censusArea.tract	string	Published census tract, when present.
property.censusArea.blockGroup	string	Published census block group, when present.
property.censusArea.block	string	Published census block, when present.
property.coordinates	object	Normalized published geographic coordinates.
property.coordinates.latitude	number	Published latitude in decimal degrees.
property.coordinates.longitude	number	Published longitude in decimal degrees.
project	object	Published work description and reported project cost.
project.description	string	Published description of the planned work.
project.reportedCost	number	Normalized project cost reported by the source.
fees	object	Published fee amounts and payment states.
fees.total	object	Total fee breakdown.
fees.total.amount	number	Total published fee amount.
fees.total.paid	number	Published amount already paid in the total breakdown.
fees.total.unpaid	number	Published amount still unpaid in the total breakdown.
fees.total.waived	number	Published amount waived in the total breakdown.
fees.building	object	Building fee breakdown.
fees.building.amount	number	Published building fee amount.
fees.building.paid	number	Published building amount already paid.
fees.building.unpaid	number	Published building amount still unpaid.
fees.building.waived	number	Published building amount waived.
fees.zoning	object	Zoning fee breakdown.
fees.zoning.amount	number	Published zoning fee amount.
fees.zoning.paid	number	Published zoning amount already paid.
fees.zoning.unpaid	number	Published zoning amount still unpaid.
fees.zoning.waived	number	Published zoning amount waived.
fees.other	object	Other fee breakdown.
fees.other.amount	number	Published other fee amount.
fees.other.paid	number	Published other amount already paid.
fees.other.unpaid	number	Published other amount still unpaid.
fees.other.waived	number	Published other amount waived.
contacts	array of objects	Source-published people and roles linked to the permit.
contacts[]	object	One source-published contact entry.
contacts[].role	string	Source-published role for the contact.
contacts[].name	string	Source-published contact name, when present.
contacts[].mailingLocation	object	Source-published mailing locality, when present.
contacts[].mailingLocation.city	string	Mailing city, when published.
contacts[].mailingLocation.state	string	Mailing state, when published.
contacts[].mailingLocation.zipCode	string	Mailing ZIP code, when published.
source	object	Source record and search details used for verification.
source.provider	string	Name of the source that published the record.
source.dataset	string	Name of the official Chicago dataset.
source.datasetUrl	URL string	Official URL for the Chicago dataset.
source.recordId	string	Source identifier when it differs from the permit ID.
source.recordUrl	URL string	Direct URL for the permit in the official source.
source.searchContext	object	Search settings applied to the result.
source.searchContext.target	string	Target used for the run: search or permit.
source.searchContext.projectSearch	string	Project text used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.issueDateFrom	date string	First issue date used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.issueDateTo	date string	Last issue date used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.permitStatuses	array of strings	Permit status values used by the search.
source.searchContext.permitTypes	array of strings	Permit type values used by the search.
source.searchContext.reviewTypes	array of strings	Review type values used by the search.
source.searchContext.workTypes	array of strings	Work type values used by the search.
source.searchContext.wards	array of strings	Ward values used by the search.
source.searchContext.communityAreas	array of strings	Community area values used by the search.
source.searchContext.street	string	Street text used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.address	string	Address text used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.owner	string	Owner text used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.applicant	string	Applicant text used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.contractor	string	Contractor text used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.contactName	string	Contact name text used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.contactZip	string	Contact ZIP code used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.minProjectCost	number	Lowest reported project cost used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.maxProjectCost	number	Highest reported project cost used by the search, when present.
source.searchContext.permitId	string	Exact permit ID used by the lookup, when present.
source.retrievedAt	date-time string	Time when the source record was retrieved.

Successful current-beta search row

This complete row is from the successful run for the input shown above:

{
  "permitId": "B200481856",
  "status": "ACTIVE",
  "milestone": "INSPECTION ELIGIBLE",
  "classification": {
    "permitType": "PERMIT – EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM",
    "reviewType": "EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM",
    "workType": "Reroofing"
  },
  "timing": {
    "applicationDate": "2026-08-06",
    "issueDate": "2026-08-06",
    "processingDurationDays": 0
  },
  "property": {
    "address": {
      "full": "3517 N KILPATRICK AVE",
      "streetNumber": "3517",
      "streetDirection": "N",
      "streetName": "KILPATRICK AVE"
    },
    "ward": 30,
    "communityArea": 15,
    "propertyIdentifiers": [
      {
        "type": "PIN",
        "value": "1322302010"
      }
    ],
    "censusArea": {
      "tract": "151000"
    },
    "coordinates": {
      "latitude": 41.94523804406035,
      "longitude": -87.74380597065314
    }
  },
  "project": {
    "description": "SCOPE: ROOF REPLACEMENT. AREA: 2288 SQ. FT. ROOF COVERING: ASPHALT SHINGLES. LOCATION: ROOFING. IL ROOFING CONTRACTOR LICENSE: 104.01959.",
    "reportedCost": 10000
  },
  "fees": {
    "total": {
      "amount": 450,
      "paid": 450,
      "unpaid": 0,
      "waived": 0
    },
    "building": {
      "amount": 450,
      "paid": 450,
      "unpaid": 0,
      "waived": 0
    },
    "zoning": {
      "amount": 0,
      "paid": 0,
      "unpaid": 0,
      "waived": 0
    },
    "other": {
      "amount": 0,
      "paid": 0,
      "unpaid": 0,
      "waived": 0
    }
  },
  "contacts": [
    {
      "role": "OWNER",
      "name": "SILVA JOSÉ",
      "mailingLocation": {
        "city": "CHICAGO",
        "state": "IL",
        "zipCode": "60641"
      }
    },
    {
      "role": "WEB APPLICANT",
      "name": "ALTAMIRANDA SANTIAGO",
      "mailingLocation": {
        "city": "CHICAGO",
        "state": "IL",
        "zipCode": "60007"
      }
    },
    {
      "role": "GENERAL CONTRACTOR",
      "name": "SLOG GROUP LLC",
      "mailingLocation": {
        "city": "ELK GROVE VILLAGE",
        "state": "IL",
        "zipCode": "60007"
      }
    }
  ],
  "source": {
    "provider": "City of Chicago",
    "dataset": "Building Permits",
    "datasetUrl": "https://data.cityofchicago.org/d/ydr8-5enu",
    "recordId": "N2934356",
    "recordUrl": "https://data.cityofchicago.org/resource/ydr8-5enu.json?%24where=id+%3D+%27N2934356%27",
    "searchContext": {
      "target": "search",
      "projectSearch": "roof"
    },
    "retrievedAt": "2026-08-07T20:45:14.352Z"
  }
}

💳 Pricing

How billing works

This Actor uses pay-per-event pricing. One billing event is tied to each matching building permit saved to the dataset. Set maxItems when you want an upper bound on saved permits and their permit events. Check the current event price on the Store page before you run it.

🔌 Integrations

Dataset and API

Open the default dataset link after a run to review the saved rows. Standard Apify dataset and API access lets you consume the permit fields and source links in your own workflow.

Video walkthrough

❓ FAQ

What source does this Actor use?

It searches the official City of Chicago Building Permits dataset. Each row keeps the dataset URL and, when available, a direct source record URL for review.

Can I search by address or permit ID?

Yes. Use address or street for a search, or choose target: "permit" and enter one exact permitId.

What does leaving Maximum permits empty do?

It returns all available results until the source is exhausted. Set maxItems when you want a smaller upper bound.

Can I request only new permits?

Yes. In a search run, set searchMode to newSincePreviousRun to request permits newly available since the prior run. Use all for every permit that matches the current filters.

Does this cover Cook County or other cities?

No. This Actor searches the City of Chicago Building Permits dataset only. It does not claim coverage for Cook County, other municipalities, or other source datasets.

Are phone numbers or email addresses included?

No. The Actor returns contact roles, names, and mailing locality when Chicago publishes them. It does not add phone, email, or other third-party contact enrichment.

What if Chicago does not publish a field?

That field can be omitted from the row. The Actor keeps source-published values and does not invent missing project, property, fee, contact, or coordinate data.

What happens if no permit matches?

The dataset may contain no saved permit rows. Broaden a filter, check the date range, or try an exact permit ID when you need to check one known record.

Can one run hold several independent searches?

No. One run represents one configured Chicago search or one exact permit lookup. Values inside a filter list are part of that one query.

📝 Changelog

0.0: Initial release

🆘 Support

For issues, questions, or feature requests, file a ticket and I'll fix or implement it in less than 24h 🫡

🔗 Related Actors

• U.S. Census Geocoder — match permit addresses and coordinates to Census geography for mapping and area analysis.
• PropertyShark Scraper — add public property, building, and sale-history context to a real estate review.
• Realtor Scraper — compare public for-sale, rental, sold, or pending listings for a property search.
• Chicago Building Permits & Contractor Leads Scraper — compare another Chicago permit search with project and source-published contact details.
• Chicago Building Permits Scraper (Contractors, Owners) — compare another Chicago permit collection with owner, contractor, cost, fee, and address fields.

Made with ❤️ by Maxime Dupré