Building and Zoning Contractor Registration

Contractor Registration

New

(For all Electrical and Plumbing Contractor Registrations, see Electrical and Plumbing Contractor Registration Requirements PDFs available under Downloads)

All contractors performing work in unincorporated Cook County are required to register with the Department of Building and Zoning.

1. The Owner or Corporate Officer of the company must apply for initial registration by sending the application and all supporting documents by email to cr.BNZ@cookcountyil.gov. In the case of a firm, corporation or LLC, include a copy of the Articles of Incorporation or current Annual Domestic Report listing the officers, as well as a copy of your Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN).
   • Homeowners: Please see Homeowner Contractor Application.
2. A Certificate of Insurance showing a minimum $1,000,000 in General Liability, naming Cook County Building and Zoning, 69 W. Washington, #2830 Chicago, IL 60602 as the Certificate Holder.
3. A Declaration of Child Support Obligations form, completed by person coming in to register (registrant).
4. A fee of $150.00 per trade shall be made payable by check or money order only to: Cook County Collector.
5. If applicable, required License and/or Original Bond Form (with $2 Clerk payment).
   • For Roofing, an updated State Roofing License is also required.
   • Bonds are required for Demolition, Demolition Leveling, Signs/Billboards, Restoration Performance (Construction Trailer), Restoration Performance (Excavation, Grading and Foundation).
     • Submitted bonds need to be submitted in the original bond form with original signatures and have to be walked in or mailed in. Each bond must be accompanied with a $2.00 recording fee, made payable to the Cook County Clerk (check or money order only).
     • Cell Tower Carrier will submit Wireless Telecommunication Bond by permit with the Permit Application.

• For your convenience, bond forms can be downloaded and completed in advance, prior to registration. Bond forms along with the current Surety listings can be found at: BONDS. 

Note: Property owners whose property is owned by a Corporation or held in a trust cannot register as a Homeowner Contractor.

"General" does not include all trades. This is a role of the project manager. Any project involving 2 or more tradesmen requires a General Contractor.

Renewal & Amendments

If you are amending and your current registration is up to date, you can skip requirement 1 & 2; if it is not up to date or you are renewing an expired registration, ensure you have all the following:

1. A Certificate of Insurance showing a minimum $1,000,000 in General Liability, naming Cook County Building and Zoning, 69 W. Washington, #2830 Chicago, IL 60602 as the Certificate Holder. If multiple trades, please submit only one (1) certificate.
2. A Declaration of Child Support Obligations form, completed by Authorized Signatory on file. If multiple trades, please submit only one (1) form.
3. A check/money Order for $75.00 per trade ($150.00 if adding a trade or if renewal hasn't been done in a year or longer), or request an invoice that you can pay online at http://bzpermits.cookcountyil.gov/web-payments/.
4. If applicable, required License and/or Original Bond Form (with $2 Clerk payment).
   • For Roofing, an updated State Roofing License is also required.
   • Bonds are required for Demolition, Demolition Leveling, Signs/Billboards, Restoration Performance (Construction Trailer), and Restoration Performance (Excavation, Grading and Foundation).
     • Submitted bonds need to be submitted in the original bond form with original signatures and have to be walked in or mailed in. Each bond must be accompanied with a $2.00 recording fee, made payable to the Cook County Clerk (check or money order only).
     • Cell Tower Carrier will submit Wireless Telecommunication Bond by permit with the Permit Application.

• For your convenience, bond forms can be downloaded and completed in advance, prior to registration. Bond forms along with the current Surety listings can be found at: BONDS. 

Note: Annual Renewal Letters and Invoice Slips for the year will be mailed out during the month of December of preceding year.

Renewal Tips

The following tips will help expedite the registration and the return of your contractor registration card:

By Mail:

• Gather your documents as listed above, [Declaration of Child Support Obligations form and Certificate of Insurance. If multiple trades, we only require one (1) of each. If applicable, required License and/or Original Bond Form (with $2 Clerk payment)].
• Check/Money Order or Proof of Payment (Receipt) for the assigned invoices. Invoices can be paid online at http://bzpermits.cookcountyil.gov/web-payments/
   
  • Mail your documents to: Cook County Building and Zoning Attn: Contractor Registration, 69 W. Washington, #2830, Chicago, IL 60602

By Email:

• Scan your required documents as listed into individual PDF or Word files. [Declaration of Child Support Obligations form and Certificate of Insurance. If multiple trades, we only require one (1) of each. If applicable, required License]
• Proof of Payment (Receipt) for the assigned invoices. Invoices can be paid online at http://bzpermits.cookcountyil.gov/web-payments/
• If applicable, Bonds need to be submitted in the original form with original signatures, and must be mailed in or walked in. (with $2 Clerk payment)
   
  • ​​​​Email your documents (or any registration questions) to: cr.bnz@cookcountyil.gov

NOTE: If you failed to renew in 2022 or before, you will be assessed the maximum fee of $150 per trade renewal.

Registration can be done by email or in person.

Licensed Contractors Search

The Department of Building and Zoning allows building permit applicants to view contractors who are registered to do work in unincorporated Cook County (per the Cook County Building Code). See the related link on the right to access the list of currently registered contractors.

Contractor Registrants Note

Regarding Child Support Compliance: In accordance with the Cook County Child Support Ordinance, a Child Support Affidavit is to be submitted by every applicant/substantial owner for a County privilege to show they are in full compliance with any child support order before they are entitled to receive or renew such privilege. Contractors registering or renewing to perform work in Cook County must submit this form along with their registration information. Please download the Cook County Declaration of Child Support Obligation form from the sidebar.