Featured Expert
Diego Romero
Principal/Director of Building Envelope, Forensics, and Restoration
Chicago, IL
Exterior Wall Program
Chicago’s Exterior Wall Program establishes inspection and reporting requirements for qualifying high-rise exterior walls and enclosures over the public way.
Understand what applies.
Façade inspection requirements in Chicago, IL.
Use this summary as a starting point. Walker can help confirm the current requirements, determine the appropriate inspection approach, and support the filing process for your building.
Buildings generally covered
Building enclosures and exterior walls more than 80 feet in height and over the public way. Filing type depends on prior classification and current conditions.
Typical inspection cadence
A Short Form is generally filed every 2 years for qualifying buildings previously classified as Safe or Safe with Maintenance. A critical examination may be required in other circumstances.
Qualified professional
Inspections must be performed by a registered architect or registered structural engineer.
Filing notes
Confirm whether the Short Form or a more detailed critical examination applies. Walker can also support Chicago exposed-metal inspection requirements.
Unsafe-condition requirements
Confirm the jurisdiction-specific requirements, repair deadlines, emergency actions, and amended-report obligations when unsafe conditions are identified.
Requirements can change. Confirm current applicability, filing deadlines, and professional requirements with the local jurisdiction or a qualified professional before relying on this summary.
How Walker helps.
Move from ordinance review to a practical next step.
01
Determine what applies.
Confirm the ordinance, building criteria, filing cycle, and inspection requirements.
02
Inspect and document conditions.
Walker selects an inspection approach based on the ordinance, building geometry, access needs, and observed conditions. Methods may include visual assessment, close-up review, swing stages, aerial lifts, drones, or rope access.
03
Prepare and support the report.
Translate findings into clear documentation and support the appropriate reporting process.
04
Plan the next move.
Walker can support repair design, construction documents, bidding assistance, and construction administration when the inspection identifies conditions that need to be addressed.
Related Walker location: Chicago (Loop), IL
Local Walker expertise.
Connect with a façade ordinance specialist.
Frequently asked questions.
Questions about Chicago, IL façade inspections.
Does Chicago require façade inspections?
Chicago’s Exterior Wall Program establishes inspection and reporting requirements for qualifying high-rise exterior walls and enclosures over the public way.
Which buildings may be subject to Exterior Wall Program?
Building enclosures and exterior walls more than 80 feet in height and over the public way. Filing type depends on prior classification and current conditions.
How often are façade inspections required in Chicago?
A Short Form is generally filed every 2 years for qualifying buildings previously classified as Safe or Safe with Maintenance. A critical examination may be required in other circumstances.
Who can perform a façade ordinance inspection in Chicago?
Inspections must be performed by a registered architect or registered structural engineer.
Can Walker help with the Chicago filing process?
Yes. Walker can help confirm what applies, complete the inspection, document conditions, and support the required reporting process. Confirm whether the Short Form or a more detailed critical examination applies. Walker can also support Chicago exposed-metal inspection requirements.
Can Walker help design repairs after the inspection?
Walker can support repair design, construction documents, bidding assistance, and construction administration when the inspection identifies conditions that need to be addressed.
Need help confirming what applies?
Start with the building. We’ll help clarify the next step.
Tell us where the property is located and what you know about the building. Walker can help confirm the ordinance requirements, inspection approach, and filing path.