City of Chicago Building and Residential Codes

The first full rewrite of the Chicago Building Code in 70 years aligns Chicago’s construction requirements with up-to-date model codes.  The 2019 Chicago Building Code is based on the International Code Council’s 2018 International Building Code (IBC).  From August 1st, 2020 it was mandatory for applications to comply with the new code.

Building Code Compliance Software for Chicago

Plan Analyst code compliance software programs make it easy for building officials, architects and other designers to quickly perform commercial and residential building code plan reviews / code studies.  Plan Analyst for the IBC simplifies the plan review / code study process enabling compliance to specific code years.  This proven software allows modifications to accommodate local amendments, where applicable.  Users have the ability to add code requirements and to add to the checklist.  Changes can be made permanent by changing the data file using the setup section of Plan Analyst, or specific reports can be edited for special conditions.  

Plan Analyst Calculators: Deck – Sign – Beam & Column

Plan Analyst Deck, Sign and Beam & Column Calculators are additional simple and effective design and code review software tools that will quickly become your go-to resources when working on associated tasks.

Building and Residential Code Resources in Chicago

Energy Code Compliance Software for Illinois

Visit the U.S. Department of Energy website to see the latest on energy code adoption in Chicago, including the use of COMcheck and REScheck Energy Code compliance software. COMcheck enables architects, builders, designers, and contractors to determine whether new commercial or high-rise residential buildings, additions, and alterations meet the requirements of the IECC and ASHRAE Standard 90.1.  REScheck product enables builders, designers, and contractors to determine whether new homes, additions, and alterations meet the requirements of the IECC or a number of state energy codes.

The “Building Codes Assistance Project” also provides information on Chicago ’s building energy codes.

AIA Chicago – serving Chicago’s architects.