In Chicago, the Department of Buildings requires a separate permit before a crane is installed or used. If the crane, its outriggers or the trucks use the street or the sidewalk, CDOT permits come into play. Near O'Hare and Midway, or for tall lifts, the FAA may need notice. Suburbs have their own offices.
Do I need a permit for a crane in Chicago?
Yes. The City's building permit guide says a separate permit from the Department of Buildings is required before installation or use of a crane. Hoists and construction trailers need their own Department of Buildings permits too. A crane in the street or on the sidewalk can need more permits on top of that.
Do I need a permit to put a crane on the street or sidewalk?
Most likely, yes. Chicago calls streets, sidewalks and alleys the public way. CDOT's rules say any person or business that proposes to use or work in the public way must get a permit. CDOT's Occupy permit covers barricades, operating equipment, work vehicles and temporary driveways, with dates and placement. CDOT's page does not name cranes, so ask CDOT which permit fits your lift.
Who issues crane permits in Chicago: CDOT or the Department of Buildings?
Both, for different parts of the job. The Department of Buildings issues the crane permit itself. CDOT issues permits for work and equipment in the public way, through its Division of Infrastructure Management permit section at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle, Room 905. The City's guide also says scaffolding and material storage in the public way need a separate CDOT permit, and some structures in the public way need a BACP public way use permit.
Do I need a lane or street closure, and what about parking?
If the crane or its outriggers block a lane, a parking lane or the sidewalk, plan on a closure permit. CDOT's fee schedule lists full and partial street closures and sidewalk closures. On arterial streets, CDOT limits work to hours outside the morning and evening rush, 6 to 9 AM and 4 to 7 PM. The Central Business District has its own time limits and a winter holiday moratorium from mid-November to early January. Cars in the crane's spot have to be cleared, and in permit parking zones that takes planning.
Does a crane need FAA approval?
A crane needs FAA notice when it will stand more than 200 feet above ground, or when it breaks an imaginary slope that rises from nearby runways and heliports. The notice is filed on FAA Form 7460-1, and the form's instructions name cranes as temporary structures. The FAA form says to submit it at least 45 days before the start of construction or the permit application date, whichever comes first.
What about cranes near O'Hare or Midway?
Near O'Hare or Midway, even a short crane may need FAA notice. Both airports have runways over 3,200 feet long, O'Hare's longest at 13,000 feet and Midway's at 6,522 feet. For airports like that, the rule uses a 100 to 1 slope out to 20,000 feet, about 3.8 miles, from the runways. Heliports use a 25 to 1 slope for 5,000 feet, and UChicago Medicine's heliport policy applies that to cranes near it. Chicago Executive Airport asks about cranes within 5 miles of it. Check with the FAA's own tools for your address.
How far ahead do I need crane permits?
Start weeks ahead, not days. The FAA asks for its form at least 45 days before the work. CDOT's rules say new work in or next to the public way must go through its Office of Underground Coordination before permits are issued, and member utilities have up to 30 calendar days to respond. We found no City page that gives a lead time for the crane permit itself, so ask the Department of Buildings and CDOT early.
Do I need a crane permit in the suburbs?
Often, yes, through the village or city, not Chicago. Evanston's Public Works right-of-way permit lists cranes by name and says complex reviews can take more than two weeks. Naperville's Right-of-Way Permit covers blocking the street, parkway, alley or sidewalk, with a 14 calendar day review. Des Plaines, Elmhurst and Schaumburg list right-of-way, public works or curb and sidewalk permits. Skokie, Oak Park, Cicero, Berwyn, Park Ridge and Oak Lawn handle permits through their building or development offices; ask them about a crane in the street.
Who applies for the crane permit?
The City's crane permit page names the agency, not who applies, so agree on it in writing before the job. CDOT says any person or business that uses or works in the public way needs a permit, and its permit office checks Public Way Work licenses and insurance. In practice the crane company, the general contractor or the trade doing the work usually applies. Ask who will apply for each permit and get a copy before lift day.
Do parkway trees need a permit?
Yes. In Chicago, the Bureau of Forestry issues permits for any work involving trees, and parkway tree work is requested through a City Forester with the Parkway Tree Work Permit Request. Each request needs at least 24 hours' notice, and removals need 10 working days. The contractor must give a certificate of insurance with at least $1,000,000 general liability per occurrence. A crane that would hit or prune a parkway tree to set up falls under this too.
Want a price for your own lift? Tell us what needs to move, roughly how heavy it is and where the crane could set up, and we will send a written quote with the crane size, the hours and the price. Call or text (312) 964-8313.
This is general information about Chicago, Illinois and federal rules, not legal or engineering advice. For your own lift, check with the office named or a qualified engineer.