The Chicago Department of Buildings announced that the City issued 15 percent more single-family home renovations permits in 2017, thanks in large part to reforms in the process that have made it faster and easier for homeowners to obtain renovation permits. The changes allow single-family homeowners to obtain renovation permits for work that does not require special zoning approvals in 30 days or less. “A home renovation project can be one of the biggest investments a resident makes. We are committed to being a partner, not an obstacle, in that process and will continue working to make getting a permit as simple as possible, “Commissioner Judy Frydland said. The City issued an average of 200 single-family home renovation permits per month in 2017; a 30 permit per month increase over 2016. The City also saw an increase in Easy Permits that allow homeowners to obtain an online permit for electrical, plumbing and other simple structural projects in an average of one day. To further simplify the permitting process, the City also developed a Guide to Permits this year that clearly explains the process and clarifies when a permit is and is not needed. Increased enforcement of the “Bad Contractor” ordinance helped the City protect residents undertaking home renovations projects this year, and suspended 16 problem contractors, filed more than 70 lawsuits against others and collected more than $100,000 in fines and penalties for unsafe or non-compliant work. For more information on homeowner permits including a new Guide to Permits, please see the city’s new Homeowner page at www.cityofchicago.org/buildings