# Chicago Building Permits Scraper (Contractors, Owners) (`scrapers_lat/chicago-building-permits-scraper`) Actor
Scrape City of Chicago building permits for construction leads. Extract address, permit type, work description, issue dates, reported cost, total fees, and owner and contractor contacts. Export to JSON, CSV or Excel.
- **URL**: https://apify.com/scrapers\_lat/chicago-building-permits-scraper.md
- **Developed by:** [Scrapers Lat](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat) (community)
- **Categories:** Lead generation, Automation, Developer tools
- **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks
- **User rating**: No ratings yet
## Pricing
from $2.00 / 1,000 results
This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events.
Since this Actor supports Apify Store discounts, the price gets lower the higher subscription plan you have.
Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event
## What's an Apify Actor?
Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases.
In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours,
and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store.
In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server.
Actors are written with capital "A".
## How to integrate an Actor?
If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects.
You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready.
The best way to integrate Actors is as follows.
In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js.md):
```bash
npm install apify-client
```
In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python.md):
```bash
pip install apify-client
```
In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md):
````bash
# MacOS / Linux
curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash
# Windows
irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex
```bash
In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/mcp.md).
If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md).
For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below.
For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt).
# README
[](https://console.apify.com/actors/n6EulWo9I6adxB6PW/input)
## Chicago Building Permits Scraper (Contractors, Owners)
> Extract City of Chicago building permits with owner and contractor contacts, reported construction cost and full work descriptions, across all 50 wards and 77 community areas.
30+ fields per record
Chicago, IL coverage
JSON / CSV / Excel output formats
Updated 2026-07-05
### What you get
Each record is a single issued Chicago building permit with the project details, the money, and every named contact so you can turn permits into construction sales leads. Fields:
- **permitNumber**: the city permit number
- **permitId**: the permit record identifier
- **permitType**: permit category, for example New Construction, Renovation/Alteration, Signs, Wrecking/Demolition
- **reviewType**: the review track the permit went through
- **permitStatus**: current status, for example Active
- **permitMilestone**: latest milestone, for example Inspections
- **workType**: the type of work, for example Nonstructural Interior Work or Small-Scale Solar PV System
- **workDescription**: the full narrative scope of work, including unit counts and materials
- **permitConditions**: special conditions attached to the permit when present
- **address**: full street address in Chicago
- **streetNumber**, **streetDirection**, **streetName**: the address parts
- **applicationDate**: when the permit application started
- **issueDate**: when the permit was issued
- **processingDays**: days from application to issue
- **reportedCost**: the reported construction cost in US dollars
- **totalFee**: total permit fee
- **feesPaid**: fees paid to date
- **feesUnpaid**: fees still owed
- **ownerName**, **ownerCity**, **ownerState**: the property owner on the permit
- **contractorName**, **contractorType**, **contractorCity**, **contractorState**: the lead contractor, preferring the general contractor when one is listed
- **contacts**: the full contact roster on the permit, each with type, name, city, state and ZIP, covering owner, general and trade contractors, architects, expediters and applicants
- **ward**: Chicago ward number
- **communityArea**: Chicago community area number
- **censusTract**: census tract
- **pinList**: parcel identification numbers tied to the permit
- **latitude**, **longitude**: map coordinates
- **observedAt**: when this permit was last seen by the scraper
### Who is it for
| Use case | Who benefits |
|---|---|
| Fresh construction sales leads by project type and value | Building material suppliers, subcontractors, equipment rental |
| Contractor and owner prospecting with contact details | Roofers, solar installers, HVAC and plumbing companies |
| Real estate and development market research | Investors, developers, appraisers, brokers |
| Territory and competitor tracking by ward | Sales teams, franchise owners, market analysts |
| Permit volume and construction spend analysis | Economists, journalists, urban planners, data teams |
### Frequently Asked Questions
**What area does this Chicago building permits scraper cover?**
It covers building permits issued across the entire City of Chicago, spanning all 50 wards and 77 community areas. You can pull citywide results or narrow to a single ward, community area or street.
**How many permits can I collect in one run?**
As many as you need. Set Max Items to cap the run, or leave it high to pull large historical batches. Results come back newest issued first and paginate automatically.
**Can I filter to a specific type of project or a minimum construction cost?**
Yes. Filter by permit type such as New Construction or Renovation/Alteration, set a minimum reported cost to focus on higher-value projects, restrict a date range, or target a ward, community area or street.
**Does it include the owner and contractor for each permit?**
Yes. Every record flattens the property owner and the lead contractor into their own fields, and the full contacts list keeps every party on the permit, including trade contractors, architects and expediters with their city, state and ZIP.
**What happens if a permit is missing some fields?**
Optional fields such as special permit conditions or an owner name are returned as null when the city record does not include them, rather than being dropped, so your export stays consistent.
### Export, API and AI agents (x402 + MCP)
Export the scraped data to **JSON, CSV or Excel**, pull it as a **dataset** through the Apify **API**, or wire it into your app with **no code**. This web scraper and data extractor also works for bulk data extraction and scheduled runs.
For AI agents: this Actor is available on **x402**, Apify's agentic payment standard built with Coinbase. An AI agent can discover, pay for and run it on its own with a funded wallet and a single HTTP request: no account, no subscription, no API key and no human in the loop. It also runs as an **MCP** tool inside Claude, Cursor and other AI clients out of the box. Learn more about [x402 agentic payments on Apify](https://docs.apify.com/platform/integrations/x402).
### Related scrapers
Need data from the same space? Here are other scrapers we build and maintain:
- [NYC DOB Building Permits Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/nyc-dob-permits-scraper): New York City construction permits with contractor and owner contacts.
- [NPPES NPI Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/nppes-npi-scraper): US healthcare provider registry records with names, addresses and taxonomies.
- [SEC EDGAR Filings Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/sec-edgar-filings-scraper): US company filings and disclosures from the federal EDGAR system.
- [USASpending Awards Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/usaspending-awards-scraper): US federal contract and grant awards with recipients and amounts.
- [NY DOS Business Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/ny-dos-business-scraper): New York State registered business entities and filing details.
- [Texas TDLR Scraper](https://apify.com/scrapers_lat/texas-tdlr-scraper): Texas licensed contractors and regulated businesses with license status.
### More scrapers at scrapers.lat
This actor is built and maintained by [scrapers.lat](https://scrapers.lat), where we publish scrapers for Latin American and US public platforms: real estate, jobs, e-commerce, company registries and government data. Browse the full catalog, see live sample output for each one, or ask us for a custom scraper at [scrapers.lat](https://scrapers.lat).
---
> This actor is an independent tool and has no affiliation with the City of Chicago. It only accesses building permit data that the city publishes as public records. Use it in accordance with the applicable terms of use.
# Actor input Schema
## `maxItems` (type: `integer`):
Maximum number of permit records to collect. Optional. Results are returned newest issued first.
## `query` (type: `string`):
Free text search across the whole permit record, including the work description and every owner and contractor contact name. For example ROOF, ADDITION, or a company name.
## `permitType` (type: `string`):
Restrict to one permit type. Leave as Any to include all types.
## `workType` (type: `string`):
Match the work type, for example ELECTRIC, PLUMBING, ROOF, or NEW CONSTRUCTION. Case-insensitive, matches anywhere in the field.
## `minCost` (type: `integer`):
Only permits with a reported construction cost of at least this many US dollars. Useful for filtering to larger, higher-value projects.
## `issuedFrom` (type: `string`):
Only permits issued on or after this date. Format YYYY-MM-DD, for example 2026-01-01.
## `issuedTo` (type: `string`):
Only permits issued on or before this date. Format YYYY-MM-DD, for example 2026-06-30.
## `ward` (type: `string`):
Restrict to a single Chicago ward number, for example 43.
## `communityArea` (type: `string`):
Restrict to a single Chicago community area number (1 to 77), for example 6 for Lake View.
## `street` (type: `string`):
Match permits on a street name, for example HALSTED or MICHIGAN. Do not include the direction or number.
## `ownerName` (type: `string`):
Match the property owner name on the permit, for example a person or a company name.
## `contractorName` (type: `string`):
Match any contractor company on the permit, including general, electrical, plumbing and other contractors.
## `appToken` (type: `string`):
Optional. The Chicago open data source is keyless, but a free app token raises the rate limit for very large pulls. Leave empty unless you have one.
## Actor input object example
```json
{
"maxItems": 50,
"permitType": ""
}
````
# Actor output Schema
## `results` (type: `string`):
No description
# API
You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup.
## JavaScript example
```javascript
import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client';
// Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
// Replace the '' with your token
const client = new ApifyClient({
token: '',
});
// Prepare Actor input
const input = {
"maxItems": 50
};
// Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
const run = await client.actor("scrapers_lat/chicago-building-permits-scraper").call(input);
// Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any)
console.log('Results from dataset');
console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
items.forEach((item) => {
console.dir(item);
});
// 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs
```
## Python example
```python
from apify_client import ApifyClient
# Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token
# Replace '' with your token.
client = ApifyClient("")
# Prepare the Actor input
run_input = { "maxItems": 50 }
# Run the Actor and wait for it to finish
run = client.actor("scrapers_lat/chicago-building-permits-scraper").call(run_input=run_input)
# Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any)
print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"])
for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items():
print(item)
# 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start
```
## CLI example
```bash
echo '{
"maxItems": 50
}' |
apify call scrapers_lat/chicago-building-permits-scraper --silent --output-dataset
```
## MCP server setup
```json
{
"mcpServers": {
"apify": {
"command": "npx",
"args": [
"mcp-remote",
"https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=scrapers_lat/chicago-building-permits-scraper",
"--header",
"Authorization: Bearer "
]
}
}
}
```
## OpenAPI specification
```json
{
"openapi": "3.0.1",
"info": {
"title": "Chicago Building Permits Scraper (Contractors, Owners)",
"description": "Scrape City of Chicago building permits for construction leads. Extract address, permit type, work description, issue dates, reported cost, total fees, and owner and contractor contacts. Export to JSON, CSV or Excel.",
"version": "0.1",
"x-build-id": "kvg1QLXmF6QEV1brd"
},
"servers": [
{
"url": "https://api.apify.com/v2"
}
],
"paths": {
"/acts/scrapers_lat~chicago-building-permits-scraper/run-sync-get-dataset-items": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-scrapers_lat-chicago-building-permits-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
},
"/acts/scrapers_lat~chicago-building-permits-scraper/runs": {
"post": {
"operationId": "runs-sync-scrapers_lat-chicago-building-permits-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK",
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema"
}
}
}
}
}
}
},
"/acts/scrapers_lat~chicago-building-permits-scraper/run-sync": {
"post": {
"operationId": "run-sync-scrapers_lat-chicago-building-permits-scraper",
"x-openai-isConsequential": false,
"summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.",
"tags": [
"Run Actor"
],
"requestBody": {
"required": true,
"content": {
"application/json": {
"schema": {
"$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema"
}
}
}
},
"parameters": [
{
"name": "token",
"in": "query",
"required": true,
"schema": {
"type": "string"
},
"description": "Enter your Apify token here"
}
],
"responses": {
"200": {
"description": "OK"
}
}
}
}
},
"components": {
"schemas": {
"inputSchema": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"maxItems": {
"title": "Max Items",
"minimum": 1,
"maximum": 1000000,
"type": "integer",
"description": "Maximum number of permit records to collect. Optional. Results are returned newest issued first."
},
"query": {
"title": "Search",
"type": "string",
"description": "Free text search across the whole permit record, including the work description and every owner and contractor contact name. For example ROOF, ADDITION, or a company name."
},
"permitType": {
"title": "Permit Type",
"enum": [
"",
"PERMIT – EXPRESS PERMIT PROGRAM",
"PERMIT - EASY PERMIT PROCESS",
"PERMIT - RENOVATION/ALTERATION",
"PERMIT - NEW CONSTRUCTION",
"PERMIT - SIGNS",
"PERMIT - ELEVATOR EQUIPMENT",
"PERMIT - WRECKING/DEMOLITION",
"PERMIT - SCAFFOLDING",
"PERMIT - PORCH CONSTRUCTION",
"PERMIT - REINSTATE REVOKED PMT",
"PERMIT - FOR EXTENSION OF PMT"
],
"type": "string",
"description": "Restrict to one permit type. Leave as Any to include all types.",
"default": ""
},
"workType": {
"title": "Work Type",
"type": "string",
"description": "Match the work type, for example ELECTRIC, PLUMBING, ROOF, or NEW CONSTRUCTION. Case-insensitive, matches anywhere in the field."
},
"minCost": {
"title": "Minimum Reported Cost",
"minimum": 0,
"type": "integer",
"description": "Only permits with a reported construction cost of at least this many US dollars. Useful for filtering to larger, higher-value projects."
},
"issuedFrom": {
"title": "Issued From",
"type": "string",
"description": "Only permits issued on or after this date. Format YYYY-MM-DD, for example 2026-01-01."
},
"issuedTo": {
"title": "Issued To",
"type": "string",
"description": "Only permits issued on or before this date. Format YYYY-MM-DD, for example 2026-06-30."
},
"ward": {
"title": "Ward",
"type": "string",
"description": "Restrict to a single Chicago ward number, for example 43."
},
"communityArea": {
"title": "Community Area",
"type": "string",
"description": "Restrict to a single Chicago community area number (1 to 77), for example 6 for Lake View."
},
"street": {
"title": "Street Name",
"type": "string",
"description": "Match permits on a street name, for example HALSTED or MICHIGAN. Do not include the direction or number."
},
"ownerName": {
"title": "Owner Name",
"type": "string",
"description": "Match the property owner name on the permit, for example a person or a company name."
},
"contractorName": {
"title": "Contractor Name",
"type": "string",
"description": "Match any contractor company on the permit, including general, electrical, plumbing and other contractors."
},
"appToken": {
"title": "Socrata App Token",
"type": "string",
"description": "Optional. The Chicago open data source is keyless, but a free app token raises the rate limit for very large pulls. Leave empty unless you have one."
}
}
},
"runsResponseSchema": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"data": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"id": {
"type": "string"
},
"actId": {
"type": "string"
},
"userId": {
"type": "string"
},
"startedAt": {
"type": "string",
"format": "date-time",
"example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
},
"finishedAt": {
"type": "string",
"format": "date-time",
"example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z"
},
"status": {
"type": "string",
"example": "READY"
},
"meta": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"origin": {
"type": "string",
"example": "API"
},
"userAgent": {
"type": "string"
}
}
},
"stats": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"inputBodyLen": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 2000
},
"rebootCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"restartCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"resurrectCount": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"computeUnits": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
},
"options": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"build": {
"type": "string",
"example": "latest"
},
"timeoutSecs": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 300
},
"memoryMbytes": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 1024
},
"diskMbytes": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 2048
}
}
},
"buildId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultKeyValueStoreId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultDatasetId": {
"type": "string"
},
"defaultRequestQueueId": {
"type": "string"
},
"buildNumber": {
"type": "string",
"example": "1.0.0"
},
"containerUrl": {
"type": "string"
},
"usage": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 1
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_SERPS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
},
"usageTotalUsd": {
"type": "number",
"example": 0.00005
},
"usageUsd": {
"type": "object",
"properties": {
"ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATASET_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": {
"type": "number",
"example": 0.00005
},
"KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
},
"PROXY_SERPS": {
"type": "integer",
"example": 0
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
}
```